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#1 HVB

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 07:35 AM

Anyone have one they recommend?  I have one that I have been using for I would say 5+ years and I am starting to lose confidence in it.  When compared to a hydrometer lately  it is never close.  I tend to use it for mash and pre-boil.  The last couple or brews it is giving me the same reading for gravity at the end of the boil as it did at the start.  These samples are all cooled.  I do not mind paying for a good one as long as it will last.

 

 

 

 



#2 positiveContact

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 07:39 AM

Anyone have one they recommend?  I have one that I have been using for I would say 5+ years and I am starting to lose confidence in it.  When compared to a hydrometer lately  it is never close.  I tend to use it for mash and pre-boil.  The last couple or brews it is giving me the same reading for gravity at the end of the boil as it did at the start.  These samples are all cooled.  I do not mind paying for a good one as long as it will last.

 

personally I'd just go without it.  you know what you are doing - how often do those extra readings show something wrong?  I take a gravity reading with my hydro while chilling the wort and then again when I think the beer is done.  if I really missed my OG I'd probably just boil up a small batch of sugar/water or DME/water and add it to the primary.



#3 HVB

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 07:44 AM

personally I'd just go without it.  you know what you are doing - how often do those extra readings show something wrong?  I take a gravity reading with my hydro while chilling the wort and then again when I think the beer is done.  if I really missed my OG I'd probably just boil up a small batch of sugar/water or DME/water and add it to the primary.

That is a good point and something I had not really thought of... you know I like my numbers.  I am also trying to think of a time that I really changed my batch because of a reading and I am drawing a blank...



#4 djinkc

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 08:02 AM

My refractometer is collecting dust.  I don't trust it anymore.  Chilled post boil hydrometer readings are almost always about what I expected.  I haven't gotten around to trying Denny's tip to get a quick hydrometer reading yet.  Chill hot wort with a cocktail shaker swirled in an ice bath.



#5 neddles

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 08:18 AM

Took me a while to learn to like mine but I use it more than my hydrometer now. You probably have done this but make sure you calibrate them so they both read the same with water and at the same temp.



#6 EnkAMania

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 08:21 AM

I used to have a Milwaukee and it worked well.  A lot easier reading than those hand held ones I use to have.  I now own a eDrometer and love it.



#7 HVB

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 08:22 AM

Took me a while to learn to like mine but I use it more than my hydrometer now. You probably have done this but make sure you calibrate them so they both read the same with water and at the same temp.

I have and did it again this weekend.  I just lose confidence when pre and post boil are identical.


I used to have a Milwaukee and it worked well.  A lot easier reading than those hand held ones I use to have.  I now own a eDrometer and love it.

is this the digital?  I had a digital Milwaukee but sold it.  I will have to look up what eDromter is.



#8 HVB

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 08:26 AM

Okay .. eDromter is a bit more than I want to spend :)



#9 neddles

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 08:46 AM

I have and did it again this weekend.  I just lose confidence when pre and post boil are identical.

I can understand that. 

 

BTW, mine is nothing fancy just the dual scale one you'll find at Amazon for like $20-30. 




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