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A discovery, or why I really like my new refractometer!


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#1 Bklmt2000

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 01:16 PM

I've been using Beersmith 2 for ~3 years now for formulating recipes, and periodically using a hydrometer for measuring OG (mostly on new batches).  I also calibrated the refrac with distilled H2O per the manufacturer's directions.

 

I use a default of 80% for my total efficiency, which has matched up when I had taken OG readings w/ the hydrometer for prior batches.

 

On my last 2 batches, I noticed the following changes in efficiency:

 

Bells 2-Hearted clone: predicted OG: 1.070, measured OG: 1.075. (84% measured efficiency).

 

Saison (brewed today): predicted OG: 1.060, measured OG: 1.068. (90% measured effiency).

 

I did nothing different process-wise than I've done in the past; same batch size, grain bills, etc.  I guess it's time to retire the hydrometer for good, and probably dial down on my grain bills a bit! B)



#2 neddles

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 01:23 PM

I've been using Beersmith 2 for ~3 years now for formulating recipes, and periodically using a hydrometer for measuring OG (mostly on new batches).  I also calibrated the refrac with distilled H2O per the manufacturer's directions.

 

I use a default of 80% for my total efficiency, which has matched up when I had taken OG readings w/ the hydrometer for prior batches.

 

On my last 2 batches, I noticed the following changes in efficiency:

 

Bells 2-Hearted clone: predicted OG: 1.070, measured OG: 1.075. (84% measured efficiency).

 

Saison (brewed today): predicted OG: 1.060, measured OG: 1.068. (90% measured effiency).

 

I did nothing different process-wise than I've done in the past; same batch size, grain bills, etc.  I guess it's time to retire the hydrometer for good, and probably dial down on my grain bills a bit! B)

I thought that too for a little while. Once I started to compare readings on the refractometer to the hydrometer I noticed the refractometer was inconsistent and somewhat unpredictable. My refractometer will tell me one reading and when I pick it back up 3-4 minutes later it tells me another thing. You might guess the temperature is shifting but I make sure the sample is at room temp of ~68F (this time of year) and so is the refractometer.  I guess I am saying it might not be a bad idea to check them against each other for a while. Could be I am a moron and am doing something wrong though. Dunno.



#3 BlKtRe

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 01:27 PM

I usually take three refracto readings with a sample and lift the lid a few times. I say three readings because it never fails that the initial reading is high while the other two are lower and consistent with each other.

#4 neddles

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 01:32 PM

I usually take three refracto readings with a sample and lift the lid a few times. I say three readings because it never fails that the initial reading is high while the other two are lower and consistent with each other.

Any idea why that is?



#5 BrewerGeorge

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 01:58 PM

Any idea why that is?

Not sure why, but I notice that too.  First one is always high.



#6 BlKtRe

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 02:09 PM

Only reason(s) I can think of is temp and maybe the sugars are spread more evenly in the sample by the lid being lifted if thats even possible.

Edited by BlKtRe, 16 October 2014 - 02:09 PM.


#7 SchwanzBrewer

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 02:28 PM

Same here. I found that making sure the lid was down properly helped. I take several readings to make sure it's consistent.



#8 matt6150

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 03:14 PM

I've been using Beersmith 2 for ~3 years now for formulating recipes, and periodically using a hydrometer for measuring OG (mostly on new batches).  I also calibrated the refrac with distilled H2O per the manufacturer's directions.

 

I use a default of 80% for my total efficiency, which has matched up when I had taken OG readings w/ the hydrometer for prior batches.

 

On my last 2 batches, I noticed the following changes in efficiency:

 

Bells 2-Hearted clone: predicted OG: 1.070, measured OG: 1.075. (84% measured efficiency).

 

Saison (brewed today): predicted OG: 1.060, measured OG: 1.068. (90% measured effiency).

 

I did nothing different process-wise than I've done in the past; same batch size, grain bills, etc.  I guess it's time to retire the hydrometer for good, and probably dial down on my grain bills a bit! B)

How will you measure FG?



#9 BlKtRe

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 04:05 PM

I use my refracto just for preboil volume and to gut check my final runnings from the MT when I get a new lot of grain. I use my hydrometer for OG and FG readings. I will on occasion check my zero out on the refracto and cross check it against my hydrometer. I prefer the hydrometer for post boil readings because I like to taste the sample all the way to packaging. Tasting wort during the entire hot side process and fermentation will help you learn and keep track of the quality of your product.

#10 neddles

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 05:10 PM

….because I like to taste the sample all the way to packaging. Tasting wort during the entire hot side process and fermentation will help you learn and keep track of the quality of your product.

Agree. I like to taste it at all stages and see how it changes and how it doesn't change.



#11 matt6150

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 06:29 PM

I use my refracto just for preboil volume and to gut check my final runnings from the MT when I get a new lot of grain. I use my hydrometer for OG and FG readings. I will on occasion check my zero out on the refracto and cross check it against my hydrometer. I prefer the hydrometer for post boil readings because I like to taste the sample all the way to packaging. Tasting wort during the entire hot side process and fermentation will help you learn and keep track of the quality of your product.

Yeah this is pretty much me as well. I was wondering what Bklmt2000 is using for FG since he said he will retire his hydrometer. I was under the assumption that you couldn't use a refractometer for that because of the alcohol?



#12 BlKtRe

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 06:34 PM

There is a formula in software that will convert refracto readings post fermentation. I don't do that because there isn't enough sample to taste.

#13 HVB

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 06:36 PM

Yeah this is pretty much me as well. I was wondering what Bklmt2000 is using for FG since he said he will retire his hydrometer. I was under the assumption that you couldn't use a refractometer for that because of the alcohol?

You can use the refractometer but you need to adjust for the alchol. Morebeer has a spreadsheet on their site thatwill do it for you. The one thing is you must know the og.

#14 matt6150

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Posted 16 October 2014 - 06:48 PM

There is a formula in software that will convert refracto readings post fermentation. I don't do that because there isn't enough sample to taste.

 

 

You can use the refractometer but you need to adjust for the alchol. Morebeer has a spreadsheet on their site thatwill do it for you. The one thing is you must know the og.

Ah gotcha, learn something new everyday.



#15 HVB

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Posted 17 October 2014 - 03:57 AM

You can use the refractometer but you need to adjust for the alchol. Morebeer has a spreadsheet on their site thatwill do it for you. The one thing is you must know the og.

Here is the link

 

https://morebeer.com...refractbeer.xls




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