Refractometer question....

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Smudger55

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What should be the reading on refractometer when olive oil is added... Just got a new one and says it is calibrated so just checking...
 
Presume that it is ok. Add olive oil and take a reading, keep some of that oil in a bottle with the reading written on the bottle, if you ever need to recalibrate then use that oil to get it back to the original reading. My advice...... Don't fiddle with original readings.
I think different oils will give different readings so fiddle with care!
E
 
What should be the reading on refractometer when olive oil is added... Just got a new one and says it is calibrated so just checking...
It is always worth checking, never rely on them begin correctly calibrated after being thrown and knocked about in the post.
Virgin olive oil will give you a reading of between 71-72 on the Brix scale (most people set to 71.5) or. show 26.5% water on the %water scale..
Don't confuse the Brix with the %water scale when taking readings from honey.
 
Hijacking this old thread to ask another refractometer question, if you don't mind...

I haven't used one before but intend to buy one to test water content of honey. Can the same refractometer also be used to measure specific gravity/alcohol level when making mead?
I'm thinking about the handheld types that seem to be £15-£50.
 
Hijacking this old thread to ask another refractometer question, if you don't mind...

I haven't used one before but intend to buy one to test water content of honey. Can the same refractometer also be used to measure specific gravity/alcohol level when making mead?
I'm thinking about the handheld types that seem to be £15-£50.

No.
 
For once, I agree with mullet.

Emphatically NO!

They might look identical, but the innards will be arranged for an entirely different brix range.
 
Hijacking this old thread to ask another refractometer question, if you don't mind...

I haven't used one before but intend to buy one to test water content of honey. Can the same refractometer also be used to measure specific gravity/alcohol level when making mead?
I'm thinking about the handheld types that seem to be £15-£50.

Just use a hydrometer –-cheap as chips and simple to use.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stevenson-...F8&qid=1508934381&sr=8-14&keywords=hygrometer
 
Ah of course....forgot about those.

I know a couple of folk who dabble in wine making and home brew and they have a refractometer the same as one used for testing moisture in honey, it looks the same on the outside but the view through the eye piece is different, look them up on ebay and state alcohol content or honey moisture content and you should get the right one for the job.
 

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