Agriculture Solutions Alcohol Refractometer for Spirit Alcohol Volume Percent Measurement with Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC), Range 0-80% v/v.

Works great, luv it

Works well, but needed calibration out of the box. Best way to do it is to add 40% abv vodka to it and use the calibration screw to dial it in so it matches 40%. But any drinking alcohol with a known percentage will do. Don't use rubbing alcohol. Protip, the calibration screw is under the black cap. Edit: Doesn't work for mead, gives too high a reading. This tool is meant for spirits.

For discerning distillers and beverage enthusiasts, accurately measuring alcohol content is paramount. The Alcohol Refractometer promises a rapid and convenient solution, but does it deliver reliable results and justify its cost? Let's examine its strengths and weaknesses: Precise Potential: ➡️ Rapid Analysis: Unlike hydrometers, which require time-consuming temperature adjustments, refractometers offer immediate results. Simply add a drop of your spirit, and the refractive index reveals the alcohol volume percentage (ABV) in mere seconds. Efficiency and precision collide! ➡️ Wide Range: This refractometer typically measures ABVs between 0% and 80%, encompassing most distilled spirits like vodka, whiskey, and brandy. No need for multiple tools, just one convenient solution for diverse spirit-measuring needs. ➡️ Calibration Confidence: Many refractometers boast automatic temperature compensation (ATC), ensuring accurate readings regardless of ambient temperature fluctuations. Consistency is key, and ATC delivers. Pricey Ponderings: ➡️ Costly Convenience: Compared to traditional hydrometers, refractometers represent a significant investment. Consider the frequency of use and desired accuracy before committing to this pricier option. ➡️ Limited Scope: While effective for distilled spirits, refractometers often struggle with fermented beverages like beer or wine due to their complex sugar profiles. Versatility might be lacking for brewers and vintners. ➡️ Calibration Concerns: While ATC is convenient, some models require periodic calibration with a separate solution. Factor in the additional cost and time commitment for maintaining accuracy. The Verdict: The Alcohol Refractometer offers undeniable speed, precision, and convenience for measuring distilled spirits. However, its hefty price tag, limited scope, and potential calibration needs necessitate careful consideration. For infrequent use or fermented beverages, alternative methods might be more cost-effective. Ultimately, the choice hinges on your budget, spirit types, and desired level of accuracy. Choose wisely and raise a toast to precise spirit measurement!

Just for ethanol apparently. Does not work for methanol and isopropyl alcohols. I'm not a chemist and I guess I need to look up how refractometers work. I was hoping this would tell me methanol/water concentration as used in windshield washer fluid. But it is nowhere even close on those liquids. So in fairness I can't fault this unit. I wish the listing specifically said the type of alcohol it works with or doesn't. The listing says "spirit alcohol" but that's not a scientific term unless it is alcohol pressed from ghosts and 'spirits'. So I tried it on some 5% ABV beer and it gave an indistinct reading of about 15%. I also tried some 40% Vodka and it showed exactly 40%. 40% brandy (which had a brown tint) showed 44%. So perhaps this only works on colorless ethanol solutions?

That made learning ABVs so much easier than the glass dipper things. Instructions were straight forward and only took a few minutes to prep. The case is really nice for storing it away when not in use. I was quickly able to learn the ABV of my Kombucha and Sake, where befotit was mostly guess work

I operate a small boutique distillery where we make small batches of spirits. My NIST traceable proofing hydrometers (the least expensive one was $48) are a pain to use-- fist get the graduate, clean it, get the hydrometer, clean it, take a sample, measure the temperature, take the reading, use temperature chart to calibrate the reading-- a PIA. I unboxed the device, we use a similar one for checking sugar content of fruit juices, and there was nothing to learn, they work the same. I put some RO water on it and looked through it, adjusted the focus and it read ZERO just as it should. No temperature adjustments needed and properly calibrated from the factory. Then I gathered a bunch of samples that I had measured using the expensive hydrometers. First, 40% ABV, a few drops, look through it and it was right a 40%. Did the same for 80% and 20% and all measurements were spot on. So for TTB and State requirements, when bottling a new batch I have to verify with the old school approach. But for during distilling and very quickly deciding where to make cuts... this critter is PERFECT.

To use this, it is super easy. Just 2 drops and it will display the alcohol level measure. But sometimes the numbers will be higher than the "actual" numbers, or the numbers that are listed on the packaging. So I would say use this but take it with a grain of salt.

Works

Tested with a few alcohol and it doesn't reflect the alcohol percentage as indicated. Tried to calibrate with distilled water, but even when knob is turned to maximum, it is still reflected as 6% abv. Then tried with a 40% whisky, and it showed 43%. Unable to compensate for the 6% accurately. Tried with a few, and it can give sensing of whether alcohol is higher, but not confident with the actual reading shown by this refractometer.