Homebrewing - Beer, Mead, Wine, Cider

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Refractometers (self.homebrewing)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by whaleross to c/[email protected]

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I ordered a cheap chinese optical refractometer from Amazon to use for convenience instead of a traditional hydrometer. It seemed accurate enough after calibration, I don't expect magic or lab results. Ballpark is fine by me.

I got suspicious when my cider and wine have kept stopping at 1.020-1.025 and nothing I whatever I tried would only make them bubble for another few days and reduce a couple of degrees Oe. So I did a reading with my hydrometer to verify. Yep, the SG for the cider ~1.000 and with the wine in negatives.

Checking out the refractometer it says it is for beer.

Is there a difference for wine and beer refractometers? Is is this refractometer, cheap chinese ones in general or is it me?

Cheers

Edit: twas me

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Refractometers work with water and sugar. You have water and alcohol at the end of fermentation, which will not give you accurate readings.

I believe there is a graph somewhere where you can look up the value you read and get the true value.

The floating hydrometers works as expected, but the refractometers are convenient. You just have to know when to use them 🙂

[–] whaleross 7 points 7 months ago

Oh, that makes sense. I guess it be further research time. Thanks.