Refractometers, How Do They Work? (And Should You Buy One?)

[@EdGodoyPlana]

Interesting! I am looking forward to your next KZbin video! Thanks!

[@jkimmakes]

More to come!

[@Jawst]

Thank you for the explanation how it actually works, it seems nobody else on youtube really understand how they work 😆

[@simonlumb7523]

Can you get good repeatability from that inexpensive refractometer? How about for a filter coffee where the TDS is lower? Can it measure with usable accuracy?

[@simonlumb7523]

Looks like Lance answered this in his video kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3eVl3yXhrhqZs0

[@nogbadthebad2609]

Great explanation. Thanks you.

[@shepz87]

Great video - nice to hear the science and directly linking it to practical applications. Thanks!

[@jkimmakes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@raeesmohammed3072]

What is the max amount of bricks value the machine can read ?

[@Knight_Wolf69]

Hey so can I use 0.25mm needles instead of 0.35mm because it's hard to find 0.35mm in my place. The 0.25mm is the only option available here so are those any good..?? ( For Picopresso only ) your reply and help much appreciated. Thank you..🙏

[@glleon80517]

Great explanation, thanks! I have a wine refractometer, can I convert BRIX to TDS?

[@jkimmakes]

Yes you can! The rule of thumb is multiply by Brix by 0.85 to get TDS.

[@clubmate12]

Great video! Is it necessary to use distilled water to calibrate, considering that one doesn't make coffee with distilled water. Shouldn't calibration be done with the same water that one mixes the solution with?

[@mprz8188]

You should use the same water you use to make your coffee, as long as you use filtered water (i.e. bottle water, not natural water)

[@ptyredchaman]

Digital refractometer for brewing?

[@michaelmoll1214]

Hi there, Lance Hedrick sent me here. Can I order a WDT from you?

[@user-kd2ez2mb3c]

According to Lance Hedrick latest video on refractometers, he isn't using this one because the readings are off.

[@chrissweet391]

So where does one get the "mushroom" piece? Can they be bought?

[@jkimmakes]

You can message renegadeguru in the espresso aficionados discord

[@NebbieLoon]

@@jkimmakes This metal piece that you use instead of the plastic door on the refractometer. Can you explain the benefits? Does it have a name. I have tried to contact renegadeguru.

[@coffeemachinist1171]

@@NebbieLoon I'm the one who makes these 👋 (I'll answer your Discord message too) It's nicknamed the "magic mushroom", mostly because of the shape. The 'shroom's purpose is to rapidly cool a sample and prevent evaporation, because temperature has a large impact on refractive index and therefore on TDS reading. While not necessarily quite as accurate as cooling each sample in a carefully cleaned separate closed container, it's much faster/more convenient, and far more accurate and consistent than dropping a hot sample into the refractometer.

[@Andrew-wp1bz]

Hey coffee machinest thanks for the response! Are familiar with this specific refractometer that jkim is using? Is it accurate enough for general coffee nerd purposes?

[@coffeemachinist1171]

@@Andrew-wp1bz Just saw this - yes, the yellow refractometer (sold under a number of different chinese-based brands, on Amazon/ebay/Ali, colloquially the "yellowboi") is one of the cheapest available refractometers with enough accuracy and precision to use with filter coffee. Make sure you get one intended for coffee, as coffee has a different TDS:refractive index curve than sugar (brix)/alcohol/saline. It's a little more finicky than an Atago or VST, but with careful use it can produce good results

[@BrianQuan]

Yellow boy magic 🍄

[@jedgould5531]

omg why not use the actual tablet image in your video? nice fingers, can I borrow them? But I appreciate you explaining the concept. I'm diabetic, was looking for reviews and comparisons. Evidently pricy is not better.

[@dahdahdaniel]

I was searching high and low for which refractometer you were using

[@jkimmakes]

Link to AliExpress page in the description