It is currently Sat May 18, 2013 5:25 pm

All times are UTC - 8 hours





Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Refractometer measurement conversion
PostPosted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 1:52 pm 
 Profile

Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 1:41 pm
Posts: 76
Location: Kzoo Michigan
Anyone have a good calculator for converting Brix to SG that takes alcohol into account.

Brewed a Belgian Dubbel original gravity was around 16.1, currently reading after 2 weeks at 6.5.

http://www.musther.net/vinocalc.html#monitorferment

that says that my OG was ~1065, and my current gravity is 1001 which seems a little low...though the beer does taste that dry...

Using Wyeast 1388 fermented at 66 degrees for the first 4 days then ramped to 70 for the rest.

_________________
Warning: Not known for giving sane advice. If followed, may gods be with you.


Top
 

 Post subject: Re: Refractometer measurement conversion
PostPosted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:21 pm 
 Profile

Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2012 6:49 pm
Posts: 32
Location: Salt Lake City, Ut
I'll have to watch this thread because to mu understand the use of a refractometer is helpful before pitching yeast.. after that the yeast interfears with getting an accurate reading and you have to revert to using a Hydometer.

_________________
Mike

On deck;


Primary;
72% Irish Red Ale - Brew Date 3/10/12 Sg 1.054

Secondary;
"Hello World Mead" Begining Sg 1.147, Currnetly @ 1.080 at time of transfer.


Top
 

 Post subject: Re: Refractometer measurement conversion
PostPosted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:43 pm 
Global Moderator
User avatar
 WWW  Profile

Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2010 2:09 pm
Posts: 3875
Location: Ohio
Medals: 2
Drunk of the Week (2)
http://morebeer.com/learn_vids/vids_refract

Instructional video and an excel sheet that does the calculating for you.

_________________
Spiderwrangler
PFC, Arachnid Deployment Division

In the cellar: Galaxy Pale, Citra Pale, Honey Common
In the fermentor: Cat Yakk Saison
In the works: Wooden Cider


Top
 

 Post subject: Re: Refractometer measurement conversion
PostPosted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:57 pm 
 Profile

Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 1:41 pm
Posts: 76
Location: Kzoo Michigan
Yea...my refractometer has to be off...cause...98% attenuation isn't possible....

_________________
Warning: Not known for giving sane advice. If followed, may gods be with you.


Top
 

 Post subject: Re: Refractometer measurement conversion
PostPosted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 6:54 am 
 Profile

Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:41 am
Posts: 2839
Fisher kel Tath wrote:
Yea...my refractometer has to be off...cause...98% attenuation isn't possible....



Refractometers are not the best instruments to use after fermentation has begun. The alcohol produced throws off the readings and there are some pretty heavy-handed calculations needed to compute to even get close to an actual reading. Even after the calculations, I am not so sure how accurate your results will be.

You are better off taking a true hydrometer reading and adjusting for temperature. Refractometers are best to use pre-fermentation, during lautering (measuring runoff), and during the boil. You could use them during the fermentation, but really only to determine if your fermentation has completed (ie - the readings don't change over the course of several days).


Top
 

 Post subject: Re: Refractometer measurement conversion
PostPosted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 9:33 am 
User avatar
 Profile

Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 6:07 pm
Posts: 455
Location: CenCAL, CA
i find that 32 brix (~1.130) has been a limiter in pre-grav testing, but that spreadsheet is pretty damn close for government work post ferment.

_________________
MoRdAnTlY [Mr. Wolf '91 - '12]

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, olny the frist and lsat ltteers need be at the rghit pclae. Tihs is becsuae the hamun mnid deos not raed evrey lteter by iteslf, but the wrod as a whloe.


Top
 

 Post subject: Re: Refractometer measurement conversion
PostPosted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 9:51 am 
 Profile

Joined: Wed May 04, 2011 9:54 am
Posts: 269
Location: Chicagoland, IL
I got a 'bottling' hydrometer a while back and couldn't be happier. The resolution is good enough to see a change of 1/2 a point so you know exactly when the beer is done. Nothing like having the right tool for the job.


Top
 

 Post subject: Re: Refractometer measurement conversion
PostPosted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 3:52 pm 
User avatar
 WWW  Profile

Joined: Sun Feb 06, 2011 3:02 pm
Posts: 212
Location: chesapeake, VA
Just as brewinhard said refrac are for pre fermentation. While beersmith n other software has calculations for post fermentation. I will tell u from experience n experiment that it is not accurate. Use a hydrometer, its the only way to be correct


Top
 

Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 8 hours



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  

Powered by phpBB © 2009 phpBB Group