Ray Calvert wrote:

> 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.

If that is the case, why then, do you suppose that brix measurement is the
standard measurement used pre-harvest and at harvest in the wine industry
and NOT SG?

> 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
>>