I agree Tom. That is why I do not use a refractometer. Hydrometers are
much cheaper. A refractometer is great in the field for checking grapes but
even then you need to check the batch and a hydrometer is the way to go
IMHO. But it comes up every now and then that a refractometer CAN NOT be
used after initial crush and in fairness that does not seem to be true.

Ray

"Tom S" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Ray Calvert" > wrote in message
> m...
>> Tom,
>>
>> I do not use a refractometer but here a while back I saw a table ore
>> equation published that related refractometer measurements to
>> alcohol/sugar mixtures. A hydrometer should not be useable with a
>> water/sugar/alcohol mix but because people have worked out the
>> relationship you can. I seen no reason why the same could be done with a
>> refractometer.
>>
>> Anyway there is such a table out there. You might try to dig it up and
>> see if you believe it.
>
> Why bother? Once the fruit is in the tank there's no reason not to use a
> hydrometer. Refractometers are nice for field testing but not necessary
> once you get past the crusher and into fermentation.
>
> Tom S
>