Refractometer confusion

[David Wood]

Hi guys. 

Today I got a refractometer and tested it on a batch which just finished fermenting. Confusingly, my hydrometer read 1.011 gravity while the refractometer read 1.030.

I calibrated it with water and all, and it reads water just fine at 1.000. Is this normal and I just have to compensate with beersmith or is there something up with the refractometer?

[Reviled]

The alcohol confuses the reading on the refractometer afaik, but doesnt beersmith have a tool where you can enter some details and it comes up with the true reading?

[JoKing]

Use this sheet - it's got the alcohol / sugar formula all added in there.

[JackoNZ]

Beersmith -> Tools -> Refractometer Tool

Has some nice conversion stuff in there too.

[Soren]

alcohol messes up your readings, in my experience, to get an accurate reading you can only really use the refrac before the ferment. there are conversion charts and most brewing software will give you a 'real' number based on your refrac readings but I find they are not very accurate at all. good old hydrometer is best once the yeast have started...

[David Wood]

Cool, thanks guys. Can't wait to brew this Sunday and use it properly!