8
votes
Using Refractometer
They are different but only in the scale the refraction is interpreted.
You can get refractometers with various scales. Specific Gravity, brix, plato, ppm/ppt (saline).
This is a very good question ...
- 18.5k
6
votes
I forgot to take my first Gravity reading
It isn't too much of a big deal. If you have the nutritional information from the honey you can calculate how much of it was pure sugar (mainly glucose in honey I believe). Then it is a simple case of ...
- 63
4
votes
FG too low to read
Actually this shouldn't be too hard, provided you have an accurate scale. You can simply dissolve some white table sugar in your mead and compare the reading you get with the reading you would expect ...
- 6,437
3
votes
Accepted
gravity rising, no airlock activity
Well, gravity can't go up...so it sounds like the honey probably wasn't dispersed evenly in the water. I imagine getting caramelized honey to evenly disperse probably takes aeration or an immersion ...
- 1,783
2
votes
Temperature calibration of ºBrix to SG conversion
Conversion from Brix to SG doesn't require temp adjustment.
Only the reading you measure needs to be adjusted for temp. Or better yet zero out your refractometer with distilled water that's the same ...
- 18.5k
2
votes
Temperature calibration of ºBrix to SG conversion
Both Brix and specific gravity are temperature sensitive but the conversion seems to be independent of that fact. That is, if you start with the correct value in Brix, your converted SG value will be ...
- 1,900
2
votes
Using Refractometer
No. The scales are different. The refractometer works on the principle that when a ray of light crosses a boundary (in this case into a fluid), the material refracts the ray under a certain angle. ...
- 3,665
2
votes
Accepted
No pre-fermentation gravity reading
You could try a vinometer. They are meant to measure alcohol in e.g. wine.
Personally, I found vinometers rather finicky. When you use one, send your sample through a coffee filter or paper towel ...
- 1,266
2
votes
Accepted
Original Gravity too high for Saccharometer Scale
The only drawback would be the larger sample size required and that you need very accurate (i.e lab grade) mass and volumetric measurement. Your proposed method is sound, though. A hydrometer ...
- 2,585
1
vote
Hydrometer reading - should I discard or reintroduce the sample?
I typically return my sample after taking a reading. If your sanitation is appropriate then you wont have any issues. However, you mention that you rinse with water after sanitizing. I dont believe ...
- 87
1
vote
Accepted
Refractometer correction for cider making
I have used the same wort calculators on ciders with some success. True the ingredients are different, but the correction curves should be similar. Personally for beer-wort I use a correction factor ...
- 3,425
1
vote
Temperature calibration of ºBrix to SG conversion
I believe the answers from @Evil Zymurgist and @thesquaregroot have missed the point. Nowadays, for brewers at least, the SG of a sample is conventionally reported as its density relative to water at ...
- 194
1
vote
Gravity concerns slow fermentation
Pitching insufficient or partially inactive yeast can cause prolonged fermentation periods. If the brew is still visibly fermenting then let it ferment to completion. I usually wait for at least 10 ...
- 381
1
vote
Using Refractometer
Refractometer are commonly used to measure sugar in grapes before picking them up to make wine, you need less liquid to get a measurement.
Less common in homebrewing, but also used, just make sure ...
- 4,806
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