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HogieWan
03-28-2007, 04:22 PM
There seems to be a discrepancy between my refractometer and hydrometer. The numbers have been off for a while, so today I put plain sugar in some water and tested with the hydro and refract. The refractometer gets an SG of 1.050 and the hydrometer reads a (temp corrected) 1.055.

How do I test which is accurate. The refractometer is dialed in to zero with distilled water.
danno
03-28-2007, 04:28 PM
if you use the hydrometer your efficiency is better... :D
Mad Scientist
03-28-2007, 04:32 PM
What gravity does promash or beersmith say the sugar solution should be?

In such a case, calibrating to zero is likely not good enough....you'll need to calibrate with a known quantity or concentration AND zero with DI water. Like a decent thermometer, you test it at freezing AND at boiling.....

In terms of the hydrometer reading are you using a high quality hydrometer. Did you temperature correct the hydrometer reading.

I'd actually be inclined to trust the refectometer.
BrewDog
03-28-2007, 04:37 PM
google is a wonderful thing (http://honeycreek.us/hydrocal.htm)
HogieWan
03-28-2007, 05:27 PM
Originally posted by BrewDog
google is a wonderful thing (http://honeycreek.us/hydrocal.htm)

I was thinking of something along those lines, but they use a salt solution, and I'd like to test the refract and hydro at the same time. I guess I need to do some math.