[denny]

I'm gonna try that. I wanna buy a refractometer but I am on a real tight budget.

I have two.  Neither agrees with the other and neither agrees with my hydrometer.  I have calibrated them more times than I can recall and finally just gave up.

[bengelbrau]

I have one refractometer and one hydrometer. Like Denny's, neither agrees. I checked both against a 10% sugar in distilled water solution, and the refractometer was closer to the expected reading at 1.038. The hydrometer was 1.033. I have since given up on expecting accuracy from either, and am hoping that the refractometer I have decided to use all the time will at least be consistent from batch to batch.

[jaftak22]

So have you guys noticed a difference with refractometers? More specifically cheaper ones or more expensive ones? How about hydrometers, as far as price. I have two $7 hydrometers that measure within .01 of each other

[klickitat jim]

I havevone cheap refractometer. I struggle with it. If I calibrate it properly and get my test sample to the proper temp, it works. I dont trust it but its good for things I cant practically use a hydrometer for, like sugar content of juices.

My hydrometer is the cheap variety and works fine. Occasionally I check the calibration in water. With mine ive noticed the paper measurement will slide if its bumped, and you can slide it back with very gentle tapping one way or the other. I rarely have to adjust because im pretty careful with it, but when I first got it it was about 6 or 8 points out of wack.

[HoosierBrew]

I always calibrate my refractometer before using and check a sample 2 or 3 times to be sure it's reading consistently.

[brewinhard]

Keep in mind that all calibrations for refractometers and hydrometers are best done with distilled water.

[a10t2]

Keep in mind that all calibrations for refractometers and hydrometers are best done with distilled water.

Myth! The TDS required to throw either the refractive index or specific gravity of water off by enough to be measured would put it far outside the EPA guidelines for potable water.

[denny]

Keep in mind that all calibrations for refractometers and hydrometers are best done with distilled water.

Myth! The TDS required to throw either the refractive index or specific gravity of water off by enough to be measured would put it far outside the EPA guidelines for potable water.

A myth that I've confirmed for myself.  I have used both tap and distilled water to calibrate my refractometers and they're off by the same amount no matter which I use. 

[a10t2]

A myth that I've confirmed for myself.  I have used both tap and distilled water to calibrate my refractometers and they're off by the same amount no matter which I use. 

That's just because you live in the Noti Vortex, where Snell's Law doesn't apply.

[ynotbrusum]

Snell's Law - would that have anything to do with fishing line attachment to fish hooks?  Just kidding

[denny]

A myth that I've confirmed for myself.  I have used both tap and distilled water to calibrate my refractometers and they're off by the same amount no matter which I use. 

That's just because you live in the Noti Vortex, where Snell's Law doesn't apply.

 

[theDarkSide]

I tried taking a final gravity reading on my beer this weekend, but it had 8 oz of cocoa powder added at 5 min...wasn't going to happen.  The whole display just had a brown tint to it.

Otherwise, I love it.

[jaftak22]

So I know this will probably disgust some of you but I did not make a starter for this beer. I had a OG of 1.092 and pitched 3 packs of US-05. I am now at 1.018. According to the brewers friend yeast calculator I pitched plenty of yeast. I am quite surprised it has gone down that much in 5 days.
..

[morticaixavier]

So I know this will probably disgust some of you but I did not make a starter for this beer. I had a OG of 1.092 and pitched 3 packs of US-05. I am now at 1.018. According to the brewers friend yeast calculator I pitched plenty of yeast. I am quite surprised it has gone down that much in 5 days.
..

no need for a starter with 3 packs of us-05. that's one of the great things about that yeast. advice to make a start is only with liquid yeast.

[jaftak22]

So I as I look at this beer in the carboy, I can't help but wonder what vanilla would do to this beer. When I rack to the secondary I was thinking about tossing in two beans. I just don't know how much you would pick up off two beans. Any thoughts?