I got to use my refractometer for the first time over the weekend. I got a lot of false readings during my pre-boil & boil.
First, I think the false readings were due to not getting a clear sample. I had lots of hop bits. It often read higher than I would have thought. Am I understanding that a non-clear sample can error to the side displaying a higher than actual number?
Secondly, how do you get a clear sample. I used my big SS spoon let to get a sample. I allowed it to cool. And let a drop or two go onto the refractomer and wait for some time (30secs to a minute or two for ATC). Unless others have better methods, I suppose I would use the little plastic dropper that cam e with it to get the clear sample off of the spoon.
At the end of the boil, I took a hydrometer reading and double checked that with the refractometer. Both came up with the same values (which also equaled my recipe estimated OG). This is why I think I was getting false readings in the early boil.
First, I think the false readings were due to not getting a clear sample. I had lots of hop bits. It often read higher than I would have thought. Am I understanding that a non-clear sample can error to the side displaying a higher than actual number?
Secondly, how do you get a clear sample. I used my big SS spoon let to get a sample. I allowed it to cool. And let a drop or two go onto the refractomer and wait for some time (30secs to a minute or two for ATC). Unless others have better methods, I suppose I would use the little plastic dropper that cam e with it to get the clear sample off of the spoon.
At the end of the boil, I took a hydrometer reading and double checked that with the refractometer. Both came up with the same values (which also equaled my recipe estimated OG). This is why I think I was getting false readings in the early boil.
