Refractometer question

[mark bolton]

Does anyone know if I can use a refractometer with a specific gravity scale instead of sugar % or brix scales? And how does one relate specific gravity to sugar %?

[cncaboose]

You can use it for testing sap. If the specific gravity shows 1.012 it is 3% sap. If it reads 1.008 it is 2% sap. Basically divide the last 2 digits by 4 and you get the sap sugar %. I use one all the time that has a scale in it for measuring specific gravity of urine, among other things. I did some homework along the way and found the conversion whcih works out as above. The one I have does not read high enough to test syrup. I did just get one on eBay for syrup/honey for about $20 that seems to work well and was a bargain. Brand new but comes from HongKong and took 3 weeks to get here. I hope that helps.

[mark bolton]

Thanks Ian, I use tham at work for urine SG also. Will see if mine goes high enough for syrup.