Refractometer

[Whorst]

Does anyone use? I'm questioning the online calculators I'm using. My original gravity was 14 brix, or 1.056-1.057. Now I have 7 brix, which is supposedly 1.010?? That's nearly 80% with S-04? Time to break out the hydrometer.

[mysterio]

Are you correcting for alcohol? Remember you can't just convert from brix when there is alcohol in solution. There are formulas to correct, but even using the corrections, I've never found the refract an accurate way to measure FG

[prolix]

As mysterio said refractometers are great fun up front (before fermentation) but once started and temps at 20 ish use a hydrometer, much easier than converting and you get to taste the samples . It is win win

[Whorst]

I use this: http://www.brewheads.com/refract-currentgrav.php
When I rack the beer into the keg on Friday, I'll check the gravity
with a hydrometer and compare it to the refractometer.

[adm]

I use the refractometer while I'm brewing to check hot wort gravities and boil progress, then once it's in the FV, I use a hydrometer (as the sample is good to drink and also normally at more or less exactly 20C so I don't have to worry about temperature compensation)