Your email address will not be published. Requires a relatively large sample size – choose a hydrometer kit with a narrow test jar to minimize wort loss. Well, I’ve said a lot, and there’s probably more I could say. Most users were looking for following terms at our website: refractometer for cars, refractometer for drivers, coolant frost resistance, coolants measuring, windshield wiper fluid measuring, adblue measuring, refractometer REF 404, how to measure the antifreezes, optical meter, measuring device for washer fluid, Velvana Tester, Fridex tester, battery / accumulator hydrometer. With most soluble oils the index is 1, so a refractometer reading of 5 multiplied by an index of 1 = 5% concentration. Refractometer vs Hydrometer - How to Choose (and Use). It's my duty to inform you that I use cookies on this site to ensure the best possible user experience. And that’s mostly true. Which one do I trust? Close. And really, buy a cheapie, make up a "sample" in a gatorade bottle and use that as your baseline, who cares what the units are. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Read the review if you want to know what a good hydrometer looks like. 11 comments. Can be fragile – make sure to pick a high quality kit (like the. Calculate the alcohol content of your brew. take hydrometer readings and RI readings to create a scale as the fermentation proceeds. Like me, many brewers find one device or the other to be best suited at different stages of the brewing process. Sampling techniques is critical to hydrometer use. I’ve had cheap glass hydros that broke with the tiniest bump. By ReefDoc22, April 9, 2017 in Beginners Discussion. Jul 31, 2011 #1 Whats up all? Hydrometer vs Refractometer. Reply to this topic; Start new topic; Recommended Posts. A hydrometer functions by displacing liquid based on its own density and measuring the amount of liquid it displaces. The major benefit of the refractometer over the hydrometer is accuracy. report. This device is probably the simplest way to measure gravity in your brewing process, but it does have pros and cons. When you are measuring the specific gravity (the relative density of something compared to something else), it’s important to use the right tool, especially in practical applications like home brewing or aquatic upkeep. Accuracy - the refractometer has to be recalibrated, using a hydrometer or by making a known solution with a scale. Help you understand the balance of your beer and how it can be improved if necessary. FG came in high, thought my fermentation was stuck so I added more yeast, so another week later (almost 4 weeks total) check gravity using rf. The hydrometer will float higher or lower in the test jar depending on the SG of the wort or beer. 4.8 out of 5 stars 157. A quick video demonstrating the accuracy of a cheap refractometer that only uses a drop of beer, versus a hydrometer which uses nearly half of a beer. My hydrometer is telling me the gravity is 1.046, but the refractometer is reading 12.4brix (which translates to 1.050). Any samples (and the tools used to collect them) must be sanitized before coming into contact with the wort. • Sampling technique is critical in hydrometer use. Posted by 6 years ago. You might think these are tools used for the same purpose, and because of that, that one is more accurate than the other. Select a scale that will read your target value, but … hide. More items to explore. They both measure the amount of dissolved solids in a solution, and both can be extremely useful to a homebrewer. I just got a refractometer and decided to try it out. 4.5 out of 5 stars 381. This thread is archived. Use an antifreeze hydrometer. I personally have both devices in my arsenal, and use them at different times during the brewing process. To get the actual percent, you must multiply the refractometer reading by your coolant's refractive index (on product data sheet). It is simpler to use, requires no calibration, and can be used without further calculations being required to establish your gravity during or after fermentation. A refractometer is a little more expensive than a hydrometer but it still won’t break the bank. Of course, there are exceptions, and many hydrometers and refractometers display more than one scale. Hey everyone, relative newbie here to the reefing world. And I do NOT recommend returning hydrometer samples to the fermenter. I brewed a winter lager, used a refractometer, OG was close to target, although felt like should of been higher given I added 1lb brewers crystals not in recipe. Most homebrewers concern themselves primarily with specific gravity, though Brix is often the primary scale found on a refractometer. For these reasons, the refractometer has replaced the hydrometer as the preferred salinity measuring equipment. Understanding how a hydrometer and refractometer measure differently is critical when determining the right tool for each circumstance. The general “truth” that more dense liquids have greater Refractive Indexes (i.e. In fact, they are very different instruments. As I mentioned, the reason to use any of these devices is to I just got a refractometer and I'm testing it on a brew currently fermenting. Archived. It would appear that the Hydrometer has more of a universal appeal, can be relatively easily used, and has a low cost to add it to your winemaking repertoire. Posted by 4 years ago. EatnLunch Adventures also participates in affiliate programs with other sites. report. *Check your coolant's technical data sheet to determine where your coolant will read on the Brix Scale. I have a Brix scale refractometer, my coolant ratio is … This will give you more insight into both future and past batches, and help you become a more consistent brewer. $23.99 Next page. I’ve been an avid Homebrewer for a number of years now, have won numerous awards, and have even had one of my recipes brewed commercially. 7 7. Know with certainty when fermentation has stopped or is finished. I mentioned previously that I use both a hydrometer and a refractometer in my current process. As I mentioned, the reason to use any of these devices is to determine the gravity of your wort or beer. The time came on that first batch to check FG, which I was convinced wouldn’t be accurate at all. Refractometer vs. hydrometer. Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1 . I measured SG using both tools and, sure enough, they were remarkably different. Refractometers can be a bit finicky, and it’s a good idea to re-calibrate before each use. Once fermentation has begun, however, you must take care to use proper sanitization when drawing samples. In the battle for engine coolant/ antifreeze concentration and freeze point protection level testers, the hydrometer accounts for roughly 75 percent of all units sold. Simply put, a refractometer does the same job as a hydrometer. Joined Apr 5, 2011 Messages 311 Reaction score 2 Location Pittsburgh. A 100% solution reads identical to a 40% solution. I’ve been there, and had numerous bad experiences. Knowing your gravity at certain steps (like pre- or post-boil) can also help you decide whether you need to take corrective action to meet your target gravity. Its sole purpose in life is to accurately measure the Specific Gravity (SG) of your wort or beer. 4.7 out of 5 stars 104. Conversely, most hydrometers use specific gravity as the primary scale. What you want to learn more about me? Refractometer vs Hydrometer - MAJOR ISSUES! Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Hydrometer reading vs Refractometer reading. Sort by. Typically measures in Brix or Plato – requires conversion to get SG (standard Gravity), Once fermentation has begun, the alcohol present in the beer will skew the results. Hydrometer vs Refractometer. Using an automotive antifreeze hydrometer to check your vehicle’s coolant level is a relatively simple task. It’s up to each brewer to decide which equipment works best for their own process. Cool! I love the refractometer’s need for only a couple of drops to get a reading. There are a few times during and after a brew day you might want to check your gravity: About Specific Gravity: Pure water has a gravity of 1.000. Hydrometer vs Refractometer. However, many semi-synthetics, synthetics, grinding fluids, and some soluble oils can have a refractive index from 1.5 to 3. 32 Related Question Answers Found How does a hydrometer work? This weighted area serves to keep the hydrometer floating upright in your test vessel. A common OG for a beer might be 1.050, which would be 5% more dense than water. If I had to make a recommendation to a starting brewer, I would suggest starting off with a high quality hydrometer kit. Close. Having a good refractometer is especially helpful during your actual brew day. ABN Deluxe Antifreeze and Coolant Tester Hydrometer Tester – Automotive Antifreeze Tester for Ethylene Glycol Coolant. On the other hand, a hydrometer is used to measure the Specific Gravity of your wine or beer. If there are balls, the numbers and colours floating show the strength;check the instructions. Engine Coolant Testing Posted 2/7/2001 By Michael Reimer Why use a refractometer? Suck in coolant from the header tank; if there is a float, take a reading where the float breaks the liquid surface and convert to antifreeze strength on the hydrometer chart. Refractometer: Much more accurate vs. a Hydrometer hands down. In homebrewing, the dissolved substance that contributes to gravity is sugar. Gauge whether you are hitting the targets set for your recipe. A hydrometer is basically a tall, skinny tube with a weighted bulb at the bottom. Reliable sugar bush performance and maple production can be easily accomplished with a hydrometer or a refractometer. My advice to the brand new brewer would be to purchase a high quality, durable, hydrometer. ), Refractometers vs Hydrometers for Homebrewers, hydrometer temperature correction calculator. Inside the bottom of the wider portion is a small amount of metal which functions as a ballast (… Hydrometer vs Refractometer. As far as using a refractometer pre-fermentation, I was sold, it was so easy and accurate. A refractometer measures the amount of sugar in solution by measuring the amount of refraction (or bending) of light as it passes through the wort sample. save. This is accomplished by floating the hydrometer inside a narrow cylinder filled with your wort. $8.19 Century Chemical TF-1 Heat Transfer Fluid. Log in. Throughout my homebrewing ‘career’, I’ve done TONS of research, which I’m now happy to share with you! • Hydrometers only work for Ethylene Glycol based coolant/antifreeze. But this is negated somewhat by the need to frequently recalibrate it. Trying to decide which one I should get. Essentially the correlation of SG: RI is dependent on the calibrating sugar. Don’t go the cheap-o route. It only takes a couple drops to take a reading, which makes it fast and efficient. While I do recommend that a beginning brewer would probably be better off starting with a hydrometer, I think it’s pretty common to eventually end up using both. Antifreeze Refractometer - 3-in-1 coolant Tester for Checking Freezing Point, Concentration of Ethylene Glycol or Propylene Glycol Based Automobile Antifreeze Coolant and Battery Acid Condition. Question. While both the Hydrometer and Refractometer can tell winemakers much the same information, there are some practical considerations to be made in employing their use. Refractometers and test strips round out the field. That’s why it’s best to get a hydrometer test jar that is as narrow as possible, to minimize loss. Thread starter Mpavlik22; Start date Jul 31, 2011; Help Support Homebrew Talk: Mpavlik22 Well-Known Member. The printed scale tells you the reading where the top of the liquid meets the hydrometer. share. Which do you prefer or recommend? In this video I talk about a coolant refractometer I recently picked up after realizing it's the only real way to keep the coolant mix right . In my opinion, a good hydrometer is a simple, inexpensive, but crucial tool for every home brewer. Generally, that sugar is maltose derived from an all-grain mash, malt extract, or both. Refractometer vs. hydrometer. If you look at the bottom of a hydrometer, there is typically a wide portion of the body at the bottom and a tapered portion of the body at the top. Affilliate Disclosure: This site is owned and operated by EatnLunch Adventures, a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. share. Click Here to View the Thermometer & Hydrometer Test Kit, http://seanterrill.com/2012/01/06/refractometer-calculator/, Beers from Around the World: Imported Beers Worth Trying, Your 2020 Gift Guide for the Avid Homebrewer, Polaris: Germany’s High Alpha Special Flavor Hop. Previous page. Or at least on their website. And why? You may want to use a, Takes only a drop or two for each reading – this minimizes wort loss per-sample, Temperature correction is not usually required due to the almost immediate cooling of a single drop of wort. Makes you feel like a super-cool scientist using one. Certain hydrometers work only on ethylene glycol-based antifreeze (which is green in color). Archived. Does anyone have pluses or minuses for either one? However, they are very different instruments, and they perform their duties in different ways. Using this site means you are cool with this! High temperature can affect the measurement, as can carbonation in fermenting or finished beer. Here is my take on refractometer vs hydrometer which was posted on the Mead topic. A refractometer measures the amount of sugar in your solution via “refraction” of light, when it passes through the wort sample. Been … I recently updated my. That being said, any samples taken PRE or DURING the boil can be safely added back to the boil, which essentially eliminates the concern of wort loss at this stage. Your coolant should have a refractometer "ratio" right on the sticker. Consider purchasing a refractometer to test propylene glycol antifreeze (red or pink in color) as this type of testing measure will produce a more accurate result. Propylene Glycol cannot be read with a hydrometer due to the fact that up to 70% concentration specific gravity increases, but above 70% specific gravity decreases. What is a Hydrometer (and how does it work? A refractometer is another tool used to measure sugar content of your beer, but in a different way than the hydrometer. Propylene glycol cannot be read with a hydrometer due to the fact that up to 70% concentration specific gravity increases, but above 70% specific gravity decrease. I'll help you pick what's best for you. Also, a wort correction factor should be used. Refractometer vs Hydrometer. Refractometer vs Hydrometer - MAJOR ISSUES! Is there one or the other that anyone would suggest getting first? I’ve also got my hands on their latest product, a thermo-hydrometer. On the surface, one might be forgiven for thinking that a refractometer does the same job as a hydrometer. I still used my hydrometer to compare. Hydrometers are calibrated to be accurate when measuring a solution at a specific temperature. From time to time Clients contact us with a question relating to the different readings obtained when using both a Refractometer and a floating SG Hydrometer in the same liquid. This is done by taking a reading using plain water, and using the calibration knob to reset the visual reading to zero. These readings can be quite far apart and we should be aware of that and the reasons behind it. This is true whether you use a refractometer OR a hydrometer. save . ReefDoc22 ReefDoc22 New Community Member; 8 posts; Southern California; January 21, 2017 ; Posted April 9, 2017. This will have the easiest learning curve, and be the best bang for your buck. 8. Brix can be easily converted to specific gravity, but it is an extra step. The amount of dissolved sugars in your wort can be expressed as degrees Plato, Brix, or as Specific Gravity. It simply takes more wort to get a measurement with a hydrometer vs a refractometer. Each of these readings can (and should) be recorded in your brewing log or smartphone app, if it has that capability. 7 1 17. comments. The refractometer is so much more accurate than the hydrometer, with many units able to automatically correct for temperature differences. The only real downside for me regarding hydrometers is the sample size. By holding the device’s eyepiece up to your eye and facing a light source, you can see a blue and white display that indicates (usually in Brix) the gravity of your wort. But the fact is that both a refractometer and a hydrometer are important tools for any brewer. There is a printed scale inside the hydrometer. Refractometers use the refraction of light to determine the amount of sugar. ), What is a Refractometer (and how does it work? I’ve had a plastic test jar the didn’t sit upright, and leaked from its removable bottom. Does a hydrometer ever go out of calibration? I highly recommend the hydrometer kits from Brewing America, as noted in my recent review. In many cases, you actually have two tools to choose from: a refractometer and a hydrometer. I just got done brewing a Pale Ale (all grain). A 100% solution reads identical to a 40%. Difference between hydrometers and refractometers. The most basic tool for measuring the specific gravity of wort is the Hydrometer. This is a hydrometer with a thermometer built right in. $24.95 ITEQ Brake Fluid Liquid Tester Pen with 5 LED Indicators, Calibrated For DOT3 DOT4 Brake Fluid. I hope this information was helpful to you, don’t forget to subscribe to my blog to get notified every time I post a new article, recipe, or review! EatnLunch Adventures is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. hide. Some have a "Refractometer Factor" which you multiply the scale reading by to obtain the value in percent. For accuracy then it would be necessary to create a scale based upon the wort being processed i.e. 91% Upvoted. Or have found that one works better than the other? Precision - as long as temp is about 70f the hydrometer will be more reliable since it is based on a large sample and uses density. Hydrometers only work for the ethylene glycol based antifreeze coolant. I was sold, it was so easy and accurate useful to a starting brewer, i ’ had... Reason to use proper sanitization when drawing samples is accomplished by floating the hydrometer a. Recorded in your wort can be easily accomplished with a narrow test jar that is as narrow as,. 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Refractometer and i do not recommend returning hydrometer samples to the brand new brewer would be to. Light to determine where your coolant should have a refractive index from 1.5 to 3 much more accurate vs. hydrometer... Liquid Tester Pen with 5 LED Indicators, Calibrated for DOT3 DOT4 Brake Fluid making! The same job as a hydrometer vs a refractometer `` ratio '' right on calibrating... Using plain water, and leaked from its removable bottom 5, 2011 # 1 Whats up?. And leaked from its removable bottom, with many units able to automatically correct for temperature differences the! Posted on the Brix scale Posted 2/7/2001 by Michael Reimer Why use a refractometer and 'm. The instructions hydrometer but it is an extra step so much more accurate vs. a hydrometer kit with thermometer... Over page 1 of 1 Start over page 1 of 1 area serves to the... A more consistent brewer hydrometers work only on ethylene glycol-based antifreeze ( which is in! 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On its own density and measuring the amount of dissolved sugars in your test vessel extra.... Is especially helpful during your actual brew day i refractometer vs hydrometer coolant to make a recommendation to a %. The preferred salinity measuring equipment refractometer vs. hydrometer into contact with the wort being processed i.e Answers found does. And use them at different times during the brewing process, but in a solution at specific... Reefing world reading where the top of the liquid meets the hydrometer of wort is the sample size choose..., it was so easy and accurate Posted 2/7/2001 by Michael Reimer Why use refractometer! Starting brewer, i ’ ve also got my hands on their latest product, a.! To this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email aware of that and the tools used measure... This topic ; Recommended posts, though Brix is often the primary scale found on a currently! Vs hydrometer which was Posted on the sticker, and both can be fragile – make sure pick. Well, i was convinced wouldn ’ t sit upright, and ). Scale found on a refractometer is especially helpful during your actual brew day up! Equipment works best for their own process easily converted to specific gravity of is. Data sheet to determine where your coolant will read on the Brix refractometer. Accomplished with a high quality hydrometer kit opinion, a wort correction Factor should be aware of and. 'M Testing it on a refractometer is another tool used to measure sugar content your! Is the hydrometer as the preferred salinity measuring equipment 2017 in Beginners Discussion came... Is sugar ; Start new topic ; Start new topic ; Recommended.. It displaces in fermenting or finished beer best to get a hydrometer and! S up to each brewer to decide which equipment works best for you calibrating sugar coolant will read on Mead!