Beer Forum

G'day All,

I've finally gotten fed up with using hydrometers for taking gravity readings of hot wort so am looking at gettin a refractometer. I am aware that they have their issues in accuracy etc. but am looking at it more for convienience.

Can anyone recomend a good one and does it mater which oine I get as on ebay at least they seem to be set for measuring different mediums, salt, sugar, etc.

Appreciate any thoughts

Cheers DK

I got mine on ebay. It is a 0-32 Brix, with ATC ( Automatic Temperature Compensation ), and was listed specifically for wine, juice, sugar and beer. I've had it for a couple years, and recalibrate it once a year or so. Generally doesn't need any adjustment when I do. Sometimes when I'm feeling ambitious, I also calibrate it to my hydrometer using distilled water.

I think I was just looking at the same thing on ebay, it was about $30, way cheaper than the ones in the home brew shops in Aus

Got to use a winemaker's refractometer last weekend in Oregon.

Pinot Noir from one of the clusters we measured was at 26 brix and they were going to pick that block the next day.

He appeared to be using the same ATC refractometer that I bought from More Beer:

http://morebeer.com/view_product/6877// ... ter_w__ATC

They also sell a non ATC model for half the price:

http://morebeer.com/view_product/18739//Refractometer

And if you can hunt down a used one for less, more power to you.

I have had no issues with my Refractometer bought off ebay.

Just make sure the Brix Range is suitable for all beer styles. Mine goes from 0 to 30 and works great.