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How do you use a refractometer?

Refractometers are a great tool to help determine the amount of sugars in your fruit. Typically, these units are used for measuring grapes, but can also be used for other fruits, and can be used similar to a hydrometer.

What Does A Refractometer Do, and How Does It Work?

A refractometer allows the winemaker to figure the percentage Brix (the relative sugar weight of a sample compared to distilled water) of the juice of grapes or other fresh fruit. Brix is sometimes referred to as Balling - dont worry, the terms are interchangeable. Depending upon the readings observed, a winemaker can monitor the progress of ripening and adjust their plans for harvest, if necessary. In simplest terms, the refractometer works much like a prism. Remember how, as a child, you could use a prism to separate out the different wavelengths of light (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) when a source of light was shone on the prism at the correct angle? Well, the modern refractometer works on the same principle - it reacts differently to light (by giving a reading on a scale) depending upon the amount of sugar that is available in the liquid sample held between the daylight plate and the main prism assembly.

How to Calibrate and Use Your Refractometer

Before you start taking readings, its very important to calibrate the refractometer. Some refractometers require the use of a special calibration liquid to perform this task, while others are calibrated with distilled water. Begin the calibration of your refractometer by lifting up the daylight plate and placing 2-3 drops of distilled water on top of the prism assembly. Close the daylight plate so the water spreads across the entire surface of the prism without any air bubbles or dry spots. Allow the test sample to sit on the prism for approximately 30 seconds before you attempt calibration in the next step. This allows the sample to adjust to the ambient temperature of the refractometer. Hold the refractometer in the direction of a natural light source and look into the eyepiece. You will see a circular field with graduations down the center. You may have to focus the eyepiece to clearly see the graduations. Figure 1 (bottom of page) shows what you would see if you looked through the refractometer without any sample present. Turn the calibration screw (see photo at right) until the boundary between the upper blue field and the lower white field meet exactly at ZERO on the scale. See example (below) of the interior view youll see when you look through the eyepiece of the refractometer. Once the refractometer has been properly calibrated, you are ready to take readings of grape juice or whatever else you want to sample. Put away the calibration screwdriver. Clean the instrument (both the daylight plate and the top of the main prism assembly) using a soft, damp cloth, then place 2- 3 drops of the desired sample on top of the prism. Close the daylight plate and take your reading as before. Figure 3 (below) illustrates what you might see at this point.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

No Sample

The image to the left illustrates what the winemaker would see if he looked through the refractometer without any sample at all. Notice how the entire scale is colored blue; no white at all. When looking through the monocular, be sure you are using natural light to view the readings; you should not read a refractometer in the presence of fluorescent light.

Figure 1
Properly Calibrated
This is what the winemaker sees once he has properly calibrated the refractometer. Notice that the reading is taken where the blue and the white meet. Calibrate to ZERO using distilled water as the sample. If your refractometer does not automatically compensate for the temperature of the sample, you must take this into account or your readings will be off.

Sample Reading

Figure 2

Finally, we get to sample some real grapes! Dont fall into the trap of sampling only one or two grapes select a group of grapes at random from across your vineyard and combine their juice to get a good cross section sample of your crop. As you can see, this sample is reading 23% Brix. Looks like its time to make wine! Be sure to cleanse and dry the refractometer before putting it away in storage.

Figure 3
Warnings and Maintenance of Your Refractometer
Accurate measurement depends on careful calibration. Follow the instructions above closely. A reminder: Differences between the ambient room temperature of the prism and the temperature of the sample will throw off the accuracy of your reading. Remember to allow the sample to rest on the prism assembly for 30 seconds before taking a reading. Do not expose the refractometer to damp working conditions. Do not immerse the instrument in water. If the instrument becomes foggy, water has entered the body. Call a qualified service technician or contact your dealer to purchase a new refractometer. Do not measure abrasive or corrosive chemicals with this instrument, because they can damage the prisms coating. Clean the instrument between each measurement using a soft, damp cloth. Failure to clean the prism on a regular basis will lead to inaccurate results and damage to the prisms coating. The refractometer is an optical instrument. It requires careful handling and storage. Failure to do so can result in damage to the optical components and its basic structure. With care, this instrument will provide years of reliable service.