Lately I have been missing my numbers on brew day and attributed it to me getting back into brewing after a 23 year break. One difference I made given the advances in equipment available to the homebrewer is that I started using a refractometer during the mash and to get my OGs. I didn't get the cheapest one and was highly rated and had temperature compensation. When received, I calibrated it with distilled water and a 1.040 sugar-water standard. The unit was spot on out of the box and I check zero with water every brew day. Previous beers were bigger IPAs so even though I didn't hit my numbers per the recipe (according to the refractometer) I never made any adjustments and they all still came out great.
Yesterday, I brewed a summer ale that was targeted to be an OG of 1.047-053. After mashing, no starch signature with an iodine test, yet my first runnings were just at 1.055 (when converted from Brix). Again a little disappointed as I knew that would dilute down about 10-15 points. This brew I did 2 changes: I was about 10 points off on my pre-boil starting gravity, so I added some Extra Light DME and the second change was that I just got a Rapt Pill hydrometer for the fermenter. I am not looking for the Pill to provide accurate hydrometer readings, just a better indication of where I am in the fermentation stage for dry hopping, kegging, conditioning etc. But I did also check and calibrate the Pill as well and after calibration was pretty accurate in non-fermenting sugar water. (+/- 0.002 SG).
Sorry for the long lead in, but pitched my yeast, took an OG with my refractometer and got 13.0 Brix (1.052 sg) which is spot on with the addition of the DME, put in the Pill and closed it up. The Pill OG is reading 1.066 sg @ 68 F which is what I have the fermentation chamber set at. I can't believe the Pill is that far off and started doing some additional research. When the refractometer states "temperature compensating" is that for the temperature of the refractometer (i.e., ambient temp) or temperature of the wort? I just didnt think that a thin film of liquid would be any other temperature than ambient, but it appears that the readings are very temperature sensitive. In looking at adjustments, if the wort was at 145 F when read, that would account for the difference. I could see this when checking my mash or runnings but not sure what the deal is when checking my OG when the wort is cooled and in the fermenter at ~75 F.
However, I seemed to be missing my numbers consistently by 10-13 points but looking at this, I could have been spot on. I really like the convenience of the refractometer and the fact it doesnt waste a lot of wort at the start. I still use a hydrometer to determine the FG but use that as an opportunity for a tasting too. Anyone else have this issue? Not spending the money on an EasyDens system but are there other options? Or is there a refractometer you recommend if mine is crap?
Yesterday, I brewed a summer ale that was targeted to be an OG of 1.047-053. After mashing, no starch signature with an iodine test, yet my first runnings were just at 1.055 (when converted from Brix). Again a little disappointed as I knew that would dilute down about 10-15 points. This brew I did 2 changes: I was about 10 points off on my pre-boil starting gravity, so I added some Extra Light DME and the second change was that I just got a Rapt Pill hydrometer for the fermenter. I am not looking for the Pill to provide accurate hydrometer readings, just a better indication of where I am in the fermentation stage for dry hopping, kegging, conditioning etc. But I did also check and calibrate the Pill as well and after calibration was pretty accurate in non-fermenting sugar water. (+/- 0.002 SG).
Sorry for the long lead in, but pitched my yeast, took an OG with my refractometer and got 13.0 Brix (1.052 sg) which is spot on with the addition of the DME, put in the Pill and closed it up. The Pill OG is reading 1.066 sg @ 68 F which is what I have the fermentation chamber set at. I can't believe the Pill is that far off and started doing some additional research. When the refractometer states "temperature compensating" is that for the temperature of the refractometer (i.e., ambient temp) or temperature of the wort? I just didnt think that a thin film of liquid would be any other temperature than ambient, but it appears that the readings are very temperature sensitive. In looking at adjustments, if the wort was at 145 F when read, that would account for the difference. I could see this when checking my mash or runnings but not sure what the deal is when checking my OG when the wort is cooled and in the fermenter at ~75 F.
However, I seemed to be missing my numbers consistently by 10-13 points but looking at this, I could have been spot on. I really like the convenience of the refractometer and the fact it doesnt waste a lot of wort at the start. I still use a hydrometer to determine the FG but use that as an opportunity for a tasting too. Anyone else have this issue? Not spending the money on an EasyDens system but are there other options? Or is there a refractometer you recommend if mine is crap?
Just wondering if they provide any better results/resolution or use less liquid per reading?