precision hydrometer

[craiclad]

Anyone know where I can pick up a precision hydrometer in Ireland? Tired of squinting into the trial jar, and trying to guess at the gravities I'm reading.

The standard hydrometers stocked by the homebrew shops here seem to have a range of 1.00-1.12. I'm looking for a hydrometer with a range of 1.00 to 1.07, that can give a more precise reading than the cheapo thermometer on offers by the homebrew shops. Here's an example of what I'm talking about http://www.midwestsupplies.com/lab-grade-hydrometer-1-000-1-070.html?PID=7618885#Reviews_tab

Has anyone picked these up in Ireland? Or am I better off ordering from abroad?

[Leann ull]

refractometer?

[craiclad]

refractometer?

I thought those weren't accurate for post fermentation gravities?

[Leann ull]

No just as if not more accurate than hydrometer
http://brulosophy.com/2014/09/08/refractometers-are-they-really-worth-it/
http://seanterrill.com/2012/01/06/refractometer-calculator/

[craiclad]

No just as if not more accurate than hydrometer
http://brulosophy.com/2014/09/08/refractometers-are-they-really-worth-it/
http://seanterrill.com/2012/01/06/refractometer-calculator/

Hmmm... Very tempting, but I'm not sure it would solve the issue I'm trying to solve. I'm on a bit of a fast brewing kick at the moment, where getting things out of the fermenter as quickly as possible is the main goal. I've been struggling to detect subtle differences in gravity day to day, as the markings on my hydrometer are so close together - often leaving me to guess over the exact gravity of something (is this still 1.014? or has it shifted to 1.013? It looks like it's just under the line...).

The refractometers I've seen, while extremely handy, don't seem to offer the ease of readability that I'm looking for. If you compare the scales on the following two pictures, it looks like the hydrometer reading would leave a lot less doubt over the exact gravity than the refractometer reading.

http://i0.wp.com/brulosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/07_mashtemp1_ogs2.jpg?w=1233
http://i2.wp.com/brulosophy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/14_sloppyslurrystarter_fg2wks.jpg?w=1280

That said, I'm almost certainly going to pick up a refractometer at some point or another. It's a lot easier to sanitise a pipette than it is to sanitise a wine thief...

[BigDanny84]

How about this? http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00TFNGZHU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_4&smid=A2MSLGOBCA5XST

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

If you are feeling flaithiúlach this is really good value, it's the second time I've noticed it for sale he may be open to offers http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=172070163697&alt=web

[Leann ull]

700 yo yos jaysus even my digital refractometer was only 100

[Frequent Sequence]

Stevenson-reeves are the best hydrometers I have used. They are very well calibrated. In fact the taxman requires brewery's to use them.
They are also much larger than hobbyist hydrometers which makes reading precision measurements possible. You might need another trial jar as the bulb is much wider than the homebrew models.

check it out. http://www.stevenson-reeves.co.uk/reeves/ReevesCatalogue.pdf

[craiclad]

Stevenson-reeves are the best hydrometers I have used. They are very well calibrated. In fact the taxman requires brewery's to use them.
They are also much larger than hobbyist hydrometers which makes reading precision measurements possible. You might need another trial jar as the bulb is much wider than the homebrew models.

check it out. http://www.stevenson-reeves.co.uk/reeves/ReevesCatalogue.pdf

Those do look good, if a tad pricey... I've found the term "finishing thermometer" which I hadn't been aware of before. Seems to be available in a few places in the UK for under £10, with a range between 0.98 to 1.02. Seems like it could be perfect for my uses. https://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/precision-finishing-glass-hydrometer.html


Follow up question - can anyone recommend a good refractometer? Is this the sort of thing I need to spend >€100 on, or could I go for the £20 options on amazon?

[craiclad]

If you are feeling flaithiúlach this is really good value, it's the second time I've noticed it for sale he may be open to offers http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=172070163697&alt=web

What is this thing? Slightly rich for my blood!

[beerfly]

700 yo yos jaysus even my digital refractometer was only 100

yea but that you need to do the correction maths with that, those bad boys can directly read the alcohol %.

craiclad i got one of the cheap refractometers of ebay and find it ok, great for quick readings during the mash/boil, usually double check with a hydrometer when in the fermenter and they match up pretty well.

[molc]

I got the cheapest refractometer I could find on eBay and it matches up well once you put the correction factor into beersmith. Now, day by day there's still guesswork, as the scale is big, but it will get you there within 1-2 points of confidence.

[aweisse]

700 yo yos jaysus even my digital refractometer was only 100

I offered a €100, and he rejected it. Originally it would of been in the 2.5 to 3K bracket, 13 years ago.

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

700 yo yos jaysus even my digital refractometer was only 100

I offered a €100, and he rejected it. Originally it would of been in the 2.5 to 3K bracket, 13 years ago.

They still sell them new at $2500
http://shop.anton-paar.com/wwd-en/measuring-instruments/dma-35-portable-density-meter/dma-35-standard.html