Digital Refractometer

alix101 · Post by **alix101** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 10:53 am

I've just purchased a Milwaukee MA887 Digital Salinity Refractometer with Automatic Temperature Compensation.
It hasn't arrived yet but does anyone have any experience with them pit falls etc..

Jocky · Post by **Jocky** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 11:01 am

I was going to ask if anyone had any recommendations on refractometers. Seems easier for a quick check than having to cool a large sample for the hydrometer.

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 11:19 am

I hate taking readings so is this what I've been waiting for?

Morten · Post by **Morten** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 11:41 am

You need to compensate for the alcohol content when using them for SG/FG readings.
Beersmith has a tool and I am sure there is lots other to be found on the interwebs.

alix101 · Post by **alix101** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 12:27 pm

I hate taking readings to , it didn't seem like a bad investment but I'm sick of waiting for it now..

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 12:33 pm

From the US?

Post by **Aleman** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 12:43 pm

The MA871 is the Brix refractometer . . . .

. . . . Salinity refractometer :hmm: calibrated to the RI of salt water and not the RI of Glucose/fructose/maltose/sucrose . . You will need a conversion table to convert between % Salt to %brix . . . and then run through the various calculators to get gravity.

It is possible as I have a mate who uses a urine refractometer to measure specific gravity . . . It was brand new and unused BTW

Personally I prefer teh HANNA INSTRUMENTS HI 96801 Brix Refractometer, its a bit more expensive but works well

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 12:57 pm

Is that a direct substitute for both start and finished readings? Or is there still calcs to do.

I think I'm after something that doest exist. I.e dipping it in the beer and taking a reading.

Jocky · Post by **Jocky** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 1:47 pm

You mean a pocket meter that can perform a distillation on your beer to tell you the ABV%?

I think if there was we'd all be using one by now.

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 1:54 pm

No, just a pre and post reading of the SG without having to do any calcs or fill up a tube and spin a glass thing around while squinting.

barneey · Post by **barneey** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 1:56 pm

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=52839&hilit=+hanna

Jocky · Post by **Jocky** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 2:16 pm

LeeH wrote:No, just a pre and post reading of the SG without having to do any calcs or fill up a tube and spin a glass thing around while squinting.

Fair enough. But my device would be way cooler. And internet connected.

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 2:38 pm

That would be ice cold my friend.

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 2:39 pm

barneey wrote:viewtopic.php?f=6&t=52839&hilit=+hanna

So this will directly replace a hydrometer?

If so I'm all over it.

DeadFall · Post by **DeadFall** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 2:46 pm

Jocky wrote:You mean a pocket meter that can perform a distillation on your beer to tell you the ABV%?

I think if there was we'd all be using one by now.

Probably won't be long with some of the lab-on-a-chip stuff coming out. I suspect that they can be made but either aren't cheap enough or there isn't enough, perceived, demand for them. If I could get one for £20 I would, that's probably the limit though, I use SG as a guide for the brewing process I'm not particularly interested in 100% accuracy of the ABV.

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