Refractometer vs Hydrometer: Which One Should You Have?

Both these instruments are useful for beer brewing. Anyway, as a home brewer; you must be wondering which one should you be having. As I said earlier, both the instruments help you in improving the consistency of the brewing process. Throughout the beer brewing process, you will take many measurements. Anyway, measuring the specific gravity is one of the most important and easiest thing you can do. Well, you might want to know about the specific gravity in details, so I am giving you the link to the Wikipedia page related to specific gravity (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_gravity.)

In beer brewing, the Refractometer lets us know the sugar content of the beer by measuring the specific gravity (compared to water.) The specific gravity of water is 1.000. A liquid that is denser than pure water has specific gravity readings higher than 1.000 and the other way. Measuring the specific gravity throughout the beer making process is an essential to producing quality beer.

Hydrometer: Well, I can say; it's the most basic tool for measuring the specific gravity of the wort. A hydrometer displaces the liquid being measured and measures the displaced amount based on its own density. The bottom part of a hydrometer is wider compared to the top part (http://www.homebrewing.org/assets/images/alla_triple_scale_wine_and_beer_hydrometer_1.jpg.) The bottom of the meter is made heavy with some metal. The scale on the top part lets you take the measurements in relation to the specific gravity of pure water. Not like the Refractometer, a hydrometer is a simple and less expensive tool measure the specific gravity of liquids.

Refractometer: Refractometer, on the other hand; is somewhat more complex than the hydrometer, but easy to use. Widely used for measuring the sugar content in beer wort. It measures the light refraction through the liquid and calculates the sugar content compared to refraction angle. OK, now I am answering the question: Refractometer vs hydrometer, which one should you have? Anyway, I am leaving the decision to you. But I am highlighting the benefits of using a Refractometer over a hydrometer.

* If you use a  Refractometer, you can measure the sugar content of the wort with just a few drops, whereas a hydrometer needs more sample quality. Which means you have more beer at the end of the day for selling.

* Another benefit of using a Refractometer is that you only need a very small sample. A small sample mean that you don't have to worry too much about the temperature. You know a sample of few drops take less time to reach the room temperature than the quantity you need for a hydrometer. Also, the modern Refractometers have temperature correction features for easy use and accurate end results.

* No need to open the fermentor much: When using a hydrometer, you would probably have to take off the entire top of the fermentor. When using a Refractometer, it's simple as just taking a few drops with a pipette. You can do it just by pulling the airlock. In other words, you can minimize the risk of contamination if you use a Refractometer.

So, it allows you to check the quality of your beer often without the headache of cross contamination. In summary, a small sample, no temperature issue, and low risk of cross contamination. The only issue is the high price compared to a hydrometer. So, haven't you made your decision yet?