Hydrometers

[Horace]

Does anyone know where to find good quality/ accurate hydrometers. Something with a bit more accuracy than the standard homebrew shop ones. I don't mind what scale, brix/plato/SG. And does anyone use a refractometer for Sg measurement?

Cheers

[Reviled]

You can get refractometers from Craftbrewer, I think theyre about $60 or so, but that would be the most accurate..

[Doublehoppy]

I use a refractometer. I bought the one from craftbrewer that has both the Brix and specific gravity scale. Beersmith have a neat tool for converting the final gravity reading from the refractometer to ABV

http://www.craftbrewer.com.au/shop/details.asp?PID=1135

[denimglen]

I have the one with SG now as well, only used it a couple of times though, does the SG reading read correctly for you?

[Doublehoppy]

" Immm, good question. For the first two brews it gave exactly the same reading as my hydrometer for both original gravity and final gravity. The latest brew was quite a bit out. My Hydrometer measured 1.051 but the refractometer 1.044. I'm pretty sure the hydro reading is correct - otherwise I have a major efficiency problem!

As you say below, you are testing such a small amount that you have to be careful that you are getting a representative sample. is On reflection I think the reading may have been impacted by water in the sample dropper thing that has diluted the wort.

[denimglen]

Yeah, I gave up on the eyedropper for that reason, just dipping my brewing spoon in and then letting a few drops fall onto the lens.

[Richee]

Funny you should mention this as I was calling round lab suppliers today looking for more accurate hydrometers.

Here's the deal I got (prices and availability to be confirmed):

Brand: Zeiss
Specific Gravity Hydrometer 100 degrees
230mm 1000/1100 15.6C
Approx $55.80 excl GST + freight

Their minimum order amount is $200, I've got 2 orders at present, is anyone else keen, I'll cover the initial cost of purchase and freight to me, you pay a share of getting it to me plus freight to you.

Let me know!!

Rich

[denimglen]

The thing is, you need an accurate hydrometer to calibrate a refractometer as they're not really made for testing wort :-P

I've got two of these 'Stevenson' hydrometers - pictured here, One is accurate to the dot pretty much and the other is out by about 0.001.

Things that may help accuracy is to buy one that has a longer scale, a sample jar with clear sides, make sure it's read properly at the right temps etc. All little things that can make a big difference if you're not doing them already.

I use a refractometer to measure SG. It's good but you need a spreadsheet or brew program to enter the readings to get the correct gravity. I still don't trust the thing 100% because of the tiny sample size, if there's any suspended yeast or trub the line is blurry and it's hard to take a reading, the colour of wort can change the reading slightly etc etc.

In saying that I have two now so one is for sale. Bought from here. RRP $110, with auto temp correction, used maybe ten times max, comes in case with adjusting screwdriver and eye dropper. Someone can have it for like $60 + postage.

[Ollie]

I'll take it off your hands. No worries.
Give me an account number and I can just transfer the money.

Does it have a specific gravity scale? Saw one on mashmaster that did but they seem to have disappeared.

[Ollie]

Actually cancel that. Might get one with SG off craftbrewer.

[Horace]

Still interested in selling your refrac

Cheers

[denimglen]

Yup, got no need for two :-)

[Horace]

I'll take it

Cheers