How to use a Refractometer & caveats with it

[Single Malt Yinzer]

I prefer using a refractometer over hydrometers. For me it came down to this: I make a HUGE mess every time I use a hydrometer with wort. Even so I wanted to know which is more accurate, etc. So I'm sharing this info for others to learn about them. In short - just buy one. Cheap ones are $35 or so and do good job. The caveat for using them is that the once the fermentation begins the SG reading will be off. No problem, there are several online calculators available to correct it for you.

How to use a refractometer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd9uJ9JitJw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
https://learn.kegerator.com/refractomet ... drometers/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
http://brulosophy.com/2014/09/08/refrac ... -worth-it/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
http://seanterrill.com/2010/06/11/refra ... l-gravity/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
http://seanterrill.com/2012/01/06/refra ... alculator/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow (Use original gravity for Wort Correction Factor)
https://www.northernbrewer.com/learn/re ... alculator/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[fizzix]

Perfect timing! This is right in line with my learning here.
This clears up which refractometer to buy, too: From 3rd article above
Thanks!

[raketemensch]

There’s a great app call Refracto for iOS, and similar ones for Android. They do those calcs for you, they’re pretty sweet to have.

They’re not just for wash/wort anymore either, you can get spirit refractometers as well now, so you don’t need a parrot and the accompanying smearing and mess.

They’re great for flavored spirits, but not for neutrals as they only go up to 80%.

[zed255]

When I use my spirit refractometer with anything expected to be much over 60%abv I just dilute a small sample (small syringe, discarding sample) with an equal measure of distilled water and read it. Actual %abv is simply double the refractometer reading. This also puts the reading into an easier to read part of the scale.

Checked it several times against temperature corrected hydrometer readings and came in every time to within +/-1%abv, so seems good enough for the ladies I go with (so to speak).

[Blarney Stoned]

Good read. Thank you.

[fizzix]

When I use my spirit refractometer ....

I learned of the Brix refractometer a few days ago. But they make an ABV spirit one, too?
And inexpensive: spirit refractometer
This has been a most educational post.

[zed255]

When I use my spirit refractometer ....

I learned of the Brix refractometer a few days ago. But they make an ABV spirit one, too?
And inexpensive: spirit refractometer
This has been a most educational post.

Yup, there is such a thing and I love it. My hydrometers are now backup devices. I have both types of refractometer and think they are both great.

[dieselduo]

When I use my spirit refractometer ....

I learned of the Brix refractometer a few days ago. But they make an ABV spirit one, too?
And inexpensive: spirit refractometer
This has been a most educational post.

I have both with auto temp control.I love the spirit one.you can get readings anytime during a run. Haven't used the parrot in years

[WIski]

Are you folks that are using the spirit refractometer able to get accurate readings on barrel aged spirits? Or are the readings skewed by the sugars and coloring from the barrel?

[WIski]

zed Wrote
When I use my spirit refractometer with anything expected to be much over 60%abv I just dilute a small sample (small syringe, discarding sample) with an equal measure of distilled water and read it. Actual %abv is simply double the refractometer reading. This also puts the reading into an easier to read part of the scale.

Unless your measuring 100% spirits this will not be accurate. For example, a 70 abv spirit already contains 30% water and must be considered in the final equation after combining the equal amounts of 70 abv spirit and distilled water.

[dieselduo]

Are you folks that are using the spirit refractometer able to get accurate readings on barrel aged spirits? Or are the readings skewed by the sugars and coloring from the barrel?

I just did an experiment with Tullamore Dew and a single malt I put up .The Tullamore Dew came up right on the money and the malt was the same as I put it up but it does seem there should be a difference do to color but I couldn't find any

[zed255]

zed Wrote
When I use my spirit refractometer with anything expected to be much over 60%abv I just dilute a small sample (small syringe, discarding sample) with an equal measure of distilled water and read it. Actual %abv is simply double the refractometer reading. This also puts the reading into an easier to read part of the scale.

Unless your measuring 100% spirits this will not be accurate. For example, a 70 abv spirit already contains 30% water and must be considered in the final equation after combining the equal amounts of 70 abv spirit and distilled water.

Not sure I agree with you there. Any concentration of ethanol into double the volume, i.e. added water, will be at half the original concentration. Remember, we are concerning ourselves with the concentration of ethanol, the balance will always be understood to be water.

Scratch out the math on paper. It also demonstrates empirically to be true.

[Single Malt Yinzer]

Some updates:

http://www.thebrewlist.com/calculator/r ... correction" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow (nice calculator)

https://www.brewersfriend.com/how-to-de ... on-factor/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow (includes helpful spreadsheet)

https://www.northernbrewer.com/pages/re ... calculator" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow (posted before but worth repeating as it's really good and includes video)

And if you're in being super accurate you can order calibration solutions that are set at specific values. Google "refractometer calibration fluid" Most are salt water based but should work just fine.

Simple chart - not super accurate, but good enough for most of us. I keep finding and loosing this chart on the interwebs, I'm put it here so that it can be more easily found - mostly by me.