PaddyBrew2 Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 So I’m about to put my order through to Kegland. I’m treating myself to the following Robobrew 3.1 matching jacket hop spider steel mash paddle 20 litre hop cube Refractometers are $26. My LHBS sells them for $40 Do you guys use one to measure pre and post boil or are they just a fancy extra and your hydrometer is just as useful ? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDT2 Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 30 minutes ago, PaddyBrew2 said: So I’m about to put my order through to Kegland. I’m treating myself to the following Robobrew 3.1 matching jacket hop spider steel mash paddle 20 litre hop cube Refractometers are $26. My LHBS sells them for $40 Do you guys use one to measure pre and post boil or are they just a fancy extra and your hydrometer is just as useful ? I don’t have one but I want one. I have survived so far without it just cooling a sample down and thenusing my hydrometer has been accurate for my numbers so far. But I guess 26 bucks is pretty good for the convenience of not having to stuff around cooling wort etc compared to 40bucks also. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDT2 Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 If you like toys get it🤣 yeah get it if you’re getting all the other stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 It's up to you really. I don't use one. I usually just stick the pre boil sample in the brew fridge and take the reading just as the boil starts. Then tip the sample back in minus the crap that settles at the bottom. Post boil I fill a Pyrex jug with the dregs after cubing and let that sit for a few hours to settle, then I can pour clear wort into another smaller sample tube to test. That's worked well for me so I've felt no need for a refractometer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackSands Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 I'm at a bit of a loss as to why a homebrewer would really need or want one other than perhaps they don't like wasting a few hundred mils of beer by drawing off the occasional sample? They have the inconvenience in that they can't readily be used to measure intermediate SG's, and FG can only be determined after performing an adjustment calculation. In contrast a hydrometer gives you an immediate, and accurate enough SG reading throughout the fermentation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 I agree. On brew days I probably waste 50mL or less. The wort used in the post boil reading would only be tipped anyway so it doesn't count. The fermentation readings take 300mL across all three and half the time I don't even take a second FG reading because it's obvious from the first one that it's finished. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDT2 Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 1 hour ago, BlackSands said: I'm at a bit of a loss as to why a homebrewer would really need or want one other than perhaps they don't like wasting a few hundred mils of beer by drawing off the occasional sample? They have the inconvenience in that they can't readily be used to measure intermediate SG's, and FG can only be determined after performing an adjustment calculation. In contrast a hydrometer gives you an immediate, and accurate enough SG reading throughout the fermentation. Yeah but they use them on You Tube all the time and it would make you look even more scientific in front of your non-home brewing friends and I haven’t even got to the lab coat yet🤣 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyBrew2 Posted June 5, 2019 Author Share Posted June 5, 2019 I just want to be as cool as gash slugg to be honest. It’s not about wasting wort , it’s looking badass using a device made in China giving you the satisfaction of hitting target 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 What makes you think a hydrometer isn't scientific? That's practically the main use they have I like using them during and after fermentation because it gives you a chance to smell and taste the beer. Can't do much with a little drop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 $26 - just get one and play with it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackSands Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 57 minutes ago, Otto Von Blotto said: What makes you think a hydrometer isn't scientific? That's practically the main use they have I like using them during and after fermentation because it gives you a chance to smell and taste the beer. Can't do much with a little drop. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joolbag Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 I've toyed with the idea of one. Toys are fun! From what I have read, it is particularly useful for those with 3V systems that do a sparge and may want to sparge until their runnings hit a specific gravity. Instant read out from a refractometer. Like Kelsey, I take two samples atm. One as I bring it to boil for a mash efficiency reading. And one before I transfer to the cube for the brewhouse efficiency and OG reading. It takes barely any time to cool the sample in the fridge/freezer/sat in a bowl of water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Captain!! Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Taking samples and recording can only make you a better brewer. IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyBrew2 Posted June 5, 2019 Author Share Posted June 5, 2019 4 hours ago, Otto Von Blotto said: What makes you think a hydrometer isn't scientific? That's practically the main use they have I like using them during and after fermentation because it gives you a chance to smell and taste the beer. Can't do much with a little drop. What’s scientific about the inane inability to stand upright in liquid , clinging onto the sides of the glass like some drunk 17 year old at a disco. Hydrometer users be like : Give it a good degas there mate! make sure you spin it mate. There could be a bubble underneath! did you move it up and down fast to let the bubbles out. Don’t want a false reading! mate all that effort was worth it, how good did that sugary unfermented wort taste! Refractometer users be like Sweet I hit my target and looked cool as fck doing so ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Clearly you need a better testing tube that's actually wide enough I don't often taste the wort but I always taste the samples after fermentation which is what the quote above says Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashed Crabs Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Thought about grabbing one myself $26 isn't a bad price. Yeah it isn't really needed but I'm like eh what the hell treat yo self. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyBrew2 Posted June 5, 2019 Author Share Posted June 5, 2019 Is it true the longest part of an all grainers brew day is waiting for the pre boil sample to cool in the fridge for six hours so it doesn’t melt the hydrometer? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerlust Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 I'm more interesting in making beer than measuring it, but if you're into that sort of thing then go for it. 6 hours ago, Hairy said: $26 - just get one and play with it. It doesn't vibrate Hairy. Cheers, Lusty. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddyBrew2 Posted June 5, 2019 Author Share Posted June 5, 2019 I’m wary of biting the hand that feeds me so I will cease and desist with this tomfoolery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 I know you're exaggerating there but it probably takes about half an hour for the pre boil sample to cool in the fridge. However, I'm using a 250mL sample tube. I take the sample right before I crank the urn up to bring it to boil, by the time it's boiling the sample is around 25-30 degrees, I take my reading and correct it for temp then tip the sample back into the boiling wort. Easy, and no time really wasted since I'm waiting for it to boil anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDT2 Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 6 minutes ago, Otto Von Blotto said: I know you're exaggerating there but it probably takes about half an hour for the pre boil sample to cool in the fridge. However, I'm using a 250mL sample tube. I take the sample right before I crank the urn up to bring it to boil, by the time it's boiling the sample is around 25-30 degrees, I take my reading and correct it for temp then tip the sample back into the boiling wort. Easy, and no time really wasted since I'm waiting for it to boil anyway. I do about the same with it in a coffee cup in the sink with ice bricks and water cool pretty quick and return it to the wort if I don’t accidentally drink it! I didn’t say hydrometers aren’t scientific I said look more scientific with refractometer as well as hydrometer is what I meant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porschemad911 Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 I have thought about a refractometer but like others am happy enough with cooling samples for a hydrometer reading during brew day. Cheers, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark D Pirate Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 I use mine hotside every brewday. Same as any other measuring device it will need a multi point calibration. I've been called an " owner operator " a few times for my rigorous measurements but since my beers are bloody good and I seldom miss targets by more than +/- 0.002 I'll keep doing it. Instant readings of last runnings is very handy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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