Refractometer error when reading SG.

[burtom]

Hi All.

I have been brewing for a while and just started my first mead. Instead of using a hydrometer. To read SG I used a refractometer and what should have been about a 5 gallon batch diluted to 1.115 at a bit over 4 gallons. I now believe that using the refractometer resulted in an error and SG may have actually been about 1.127. My questions are
1. Why the refractometer error?
2. Is there some way I can correct for this now adding enough water to bring the SG down about .012?

Thanks

 

[burtom]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AOCKWMU/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

The above link is to my refractometer and the scale shows 1.115 SG being approximately equal to 29.8 Brix.

 

[govner1]

Did you calibrate the refractometer before use w/ distilled water?
If the scale on the unit is as you say there is definitely an error

 

[dmtaylor]

A refractometer might not read perfectly in a mead must, especially at very high gravity. Use a trusty hydrometer to find out the real number.

 

[burtom]

Did you calibrate the refractometer before use w/ distilled water?
If the scale on the unit is as you say there is definitely an error

Yes I calibrated it. The SG scale just seems to be wrong. This has agreed with my hydrometer for brewing to within a few thousandths.

 

[burtom]

A refractometer might not read perfectly in a mead must, especially at very high gravity. Use a trusty hydrometer to find out the real number.

Thanks, and noted for my next batch.