DiFluid Refractometer Review (vs $700 VST)

[@LifestyleLab_]

DiFluid Refractometer: geni.us/AeJe VST Refractometer: geni.us/XIcU4Ts (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)

[@mprz8188]

I've been using the Difluid for some time and can say it works really well. The only thing I'd suggest to anyone using this device is to take the coffee sample and drop it on a large steel spoon first, wait for some 20 secs and then transfer to the refractometer for measurement. This has done the trick for me really well and haven't had any issues with the calibration. From time to time I just clean very well the refracto, put in some very clean water and calibrate to zero. No issues at all and pretty accurate readings since then. I'd definitely recommend this unit.

[@timblosser2484]

Kind of surprised that zeroing between samples isn’t standard practice.

[@amiraloves04]

Another video broken down so well! The DiFluid is a cool little device, especially considering price

[@jasonhale4129]

This was an awesome video. I was wondering about the DiFluid after seeing their ads on IG. Looks perfect for an at home enthusiast.

[@LifestyleLab_]

Thanks for watching Jason! Yes they’ve definitely got a big presence on Instagram right now

[@needmorebeans]

I have the DiFluid and I agree, it needs to be babied a little. But it's a great little device for home use and to carry around when travelling.

[@daRock1212]

Thanks for the comparison! I think part of the reason we're seeing variance at different temperatures is that the VST compensates for temp (whether it accurately compensates is a whole 'nother set of tests!). Since the DiFluid doesn't have a metal bed around the lens (to attach a thermoprobe, but also heat sink the sample), I think it doesn't compensate. Also likely changing the DiFluid readings is that the plastic bed might have thermal inertia from previous samples and influence readings. A way around this is a metal "bullet" / heat sink that's available for the Atago (named Magic) and also aftermarket turned by a user on EAF for the yellowboi. It sits above the sample and brings it to room temp quickly (additionally avoiding changes in TDS due to evaporation). Something like this would really help out the DiFluid since it cannot compensate for temp. Of course this doesn't solve the drifting zero... That might actually be a deal breaker for me, and the yellowboi might be my budget choice refractometer

[@LifestyleLab_]

Yes! I wish I had mentioned the difference in tray material in this video as it definitely plays a role. Thanks for the comment :)

[@mprz8188]

Pretty nice review. I kinda agree with you in almost every aspect you mentioned. Temperature is a factor to consider with this little refractometer but nothing to worry about. I just put my sample on a silver spoon first (stainless would work well too) and let it reach ambient temperature equilibrium (about a full minute) and then I put four to six small drops on the refractometer for an accurate reading. Nicole, the person in front of this product, who's really nice and responsive have suggested me to calibrate before each new coffee sample and this is really easy to do so, not a deal breaker for me. So far I've been enjoying this little refractometer, find it specially accurate and well designed. Can't see a good reason to not using the integrated App in a professional environment. It works really well and makes life lot easier unless you're so old fashioned and prefer to write down your values and use a calculator to find your results manually. Either way is valid but to me the app is a huge plus and works really really well. VST is an industrial grade meter and for the price one can expect it to come built-in all sorts of features to justify the price. Don't get me wrong, I'm not pretending these add-ons are unnecessary. Just pointing out that (most of the time) you get what you pay for. Well compensated heat sink to balance the sensor temperature is an important feature, no doubt about it. But for the price difference I can't complain TBH It just takes a bit more hands-on work but that's what barista's environment is all about: work and more work. In case you should need immediate accuracy the easy way, either the Atago or the VST can do an amazing job, as expected for the price. Regarding the zero drift: DiFluid recommends to calibrate for each new batch or sample and take special care to clean the sensor lens quite frequently to avoid inaccuracy. Nothing a bit of care and the included microfiber cloth can't do Overall, I love this tiny device and what it does. Highly portable, highly recommended.

[@Harry-cg5gs]

Damn this is such a clean review. Great to know that there is now a budget friendly product for home enthusiasts!

[@catchall673]

Very well done. The issue of lost calibration sounds like an issue that could be easily fixed.

[@petres5866]

Good job at spotting the temperature (over) sensitivity of DiFluid. Unfortunately the error makes it hard for me get one. If you look at 4:58 vst shows a positive trend while DiFluid a negative one. This can be extremely confusing and might push you in the wrong direction.

[@HumanSimulacrum]

DiFluid popped in my feed a few times, but I couldn't understand where is the catch. Thank you for this thorough review!

[@LifestyleLab_]

Any time Leo, thanks for watching! They’ve definitely got a lot of samples out and about, and are doing a big marketing push. I think Timemore is releasing an essentially identical device under their brand as well

[@edwardwaterhouse7698]

As soon as I finished watching your review I went straight out and bought one which is what middle-age men do! It arrived yesterday afternoon and I’m now experimenting with it. Thank you for the great review.👍🏻

[@LifestyleLab_]

Enjoy! Hope it give you some good insight into your coffee :)

[@TheLever]

Great review! I have the DiFluid as well and I agree with everything you said

[@rokapix]

Hi. Could you please review the Breville Barista Max Plus, also know as the Sunbeam Barista Max Plus. Thank you 🤗

[@celstark]

What a methodical and clear review!

[@pieterdudal1362]

Great review. Question, why do you zero zith distillee water. Shouldn't you zero with the water that you use for brewing (that water also contains TDS, but you don't want them in your numbers)

[@LifestyleLab_]

Cases can be made for both methods, this is just the one I prefer. As long as you’re consistent with yourself, either are viable, and the readings will be very very similar regardless

[@timblackmore884]

Does the Brix refractometer work with coffee, good sale on Amazon right now but it’s the Brix. Can’t find the answer anywhere.

[@LifestyleLab_]

No, that's for sugar content

[@itsxris]

they just sent one to me - perfect review timing!

[@LifestyleLab_]

Nice! Curious to hear your thoughts Xris. Hopefully this video gives you some insight into how it's going to behave

[@MorganWhaley]

Great video! Thanks for the objective and factual review.

[@LifestyleLab_]

Thanks for tuning in Morgan!

[@mikedavidson1970]

How do I set this for measuring honey ?

[@LifestyleLab_]

You need one of their other models for that. With honey, you're measuring Brix or sugar content. This is a coffee refractometer measuring TDS

[@mikedavidson1970]

@@LifestyleLab_ thank you. It says it's measuring brix. But every sample no matter what I put on it. Or re calibrate says that it's to high.

[@LifestyleLab_]

@mikedavidson1970 if you're using this version, it would be out of range. There is a version specifically for honey testing

[@KrishnenduKes]

What an amazing video. Now I have to look for a tutorial on how to zero and recalibrate a refractometer!

[@goodboid]

Lovely video! Thanks for taking the time to make this. Please do a deep dive about the Atago PAL-COFFEE (Brix and TDS) if you can. There's a dearth of info and proper how to videos on the device and it's app.

[@LifestyleLab_]

Something to look into for sure!

[@thejamescorwin]

Your set looks incredible. I'm really really impressed

[@LifestyleLab_]

Thank you!

[@wasabili]

A quick question. Can you use the VST or the DiFluid to test alcohol or plato of a liquide?

[@LifestyleLab_]

No, it can only read Brix and TDS

[@Andrew-wp1bz]

Great video as always! I’ve been looking at refractometers for the past few months. Id love to see a comparison of the VST and the “yellow boi” from Ali Express.

[@Julumon.]

I Would guess that they probably use the same technology.

[@LifestyleLab_]

Lance’s video also features the yellow boi and Atago. The yellow boi and DiFluid are overall just way less consistent, about the same as one another

[@danymeeuwissen5973]

Fantastic, thorough review!

[@LifestyleLab_]

Thanks Dany! Glad it was helpful

[@louisd95714]

I am wondering if the one provided for the demonstration has a defective sensor or a defect in the firmware? Maybe a different one should be obtained to make sure?

[@LifestyleLab_]

I did confirm this behaviour with multiple other people who have received the DiFluid as well

[@louisd95714]

​@@LifestyleLab_ I figured you did, LOL. I agree, that it would serve people very well as long as they heed its limitations.

[@jpjay1584]

what if one would build in a small heating to have same temp conditions. would that work?

[@LifestyleLab_]

Because of the small sample size, a large metal dish like on the VST is usually enough to bring the sample down very close to room temp. This is likely another reason why the DiFluid didn’t perform as well, less ability to cool the sample that last few degrees

[@danielwolman]

is the difluid the same as the timemore?

[@LifestyleLab_]

Yes, just different packaging

[@lpsmaduk]

Thanks really good review,

[@qyp3511]

Seems like Difluid loss precision after several test. What if recalibrate it between every test.

[@LifestyleLab_]

7:42

[@Markus1406]

I like the Atago refractometer paired with the Atago magic. This cools down every sample immediately. And it is not exphensive like the vst. Such a stainless steel addon would be also good for the DiFluid I guess.

[@LifestyleLab_]

Yes, a larger stainless steel dish would likely go a long way in helping cool samples faster on the DiFluid. Great point!

[@Markus1406]

@@LifestyleLab_ I dont only mean a dish but a thing which goes on the dish. Like the Atago Magic 🙂

[@LifestyleLab_]

I’ll have to look that up! Can’t say I’m familiar. Is it actively cooling in some way?

[@Markus1406]

@@LifestyleLab_ It has some thermal mass and acts as a lid.

[@LivingTheLifeRetired]

I have yet to find an honest review of this by some who spent their own money on it.

[@LifestyleLab_]

How was my review dishonest? I found it accurate, but only under very specific careful circumstances. It's a hobbiest device, definitely not a commercial tool in the slightest.

[@jpjay1584]

TimeMore has the same one. maybe just re-labelled.

[@LifestyleLab_]

Yes they do! Looks nice in all black

[@KingCafes]

I bought DiFluid, it comes defective and the support doesn't answer.

[@mikedavidson1970]

@@KingCafes was every sample to high ? That's what mine is doing

[@Nevermindthrbrewmethod]

Just an FYI you can get proper refractometers that are similarly specced to the VST for a little over $100 if you shop around, VST are praying on our ignorance of the availability of these tools which are used in the lab all the time. The other thing to be aware of is the lack of information TDS alone gives us, for this to be truly useful we also need data on peptides, odourants and natural sugars. Anyone got access to a Mass Spectrometer?

[@LifestyleLab_]

Interesting! Any brands or links you can provide? It does make sense that a lab equipment company would be able to provide a stripped down version of the same thing, but I find that price spread hard to believe

[@Adamsavage793]

He doesn’t have an answer

[@Nevermindthrbrewmethod]

@@Adamsavage793 I do but both my replies here have been deleted. Google and Amazon are your friend, tds/brix refractometer, the VST is a massive overpay. Now about that Mass Spectrometer... I have 5 peer reviewed papers with data from an MS with regard to Espresso extraction, TDS alone is very limited in it's scope.

[@LifestyleLab_]

No deleted replies here 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Nevermindthrbrewmethod]

@@LifestyleLab_ Wasn't blaming you, I wonder if it was the content.

[@pilsplease7561]

refractometers are great for checking sugar for wine grapes, Though I will add that the one that we use is far more expensive and higher end than that VST thats chump change amateur gear mine is $5000 lol.