So Long, Lovibond Grading Kit

[SeanD]

Well, it happened. I broke the glass vial for the Lovibond permanent grading kit. Actually, my wife broke it, but I had left it on the counter to dry. I knew the replacement was expensive. If I had to guess a number I would have guessed $50-$75. That would be really expensive for a 25mm glass vial. It's $125 at Bascom's.

The whole kit was $260 when I got it at a discount in 2015. They are $295 now. The glass is $125 of that.

So long, Lovibond. You priced yourselves out of a sale.

I just ordered the Hanna Checker for $59.

[Buddy 58]

Your really going to like the hanna checker .

[MISugarDaddy]

I agree, you will definitely like it.

[highlandcattle]

We got ours when the Hanna meter first came out. Love it.

[VT_K9]

We have used the Hanna for about three years and it works great. Our local high school has a sugarhouse and a lesson on making maple syrup and they use the Hanna.

Mike

[Russell Lampron]

My Lovibond has been in storage for years. You can buy a Hanna and a temporary kit together for less money than a replacement vial for the Lovibond. I would need to buy a color wheel for my Lovibond if I were to use it again. That's not cheap either.

[maple flats]

The Hanna makes it so easy. Just taste to confirm the taste is right for that color and use the Hanna. No guessing to it. Under other methods it takes training to get the grade designation right if the color is near a break point, Hanna removes the doubt.

[SeanD]

I've tried it out and I have to admit, it is very easy to use. The price just sweetens the decision. I'm reading the precautions about air bubbles, streaks, etc. throwing off the accuracy. I'll do my best, but how sensitive are people finding the device to be - or challenging to keep the vials clear after multiple uses?

[Russell Lampron]

I've tried it out and I have to admit, it is very easy to use. The price just sweetens the decision. I'm reading the precautions about air bubbles, streaks, etc. throwing off the accuracy. I'll do my best, but how sensitive are people finding the device to be - or challenging to keep the vials clear after multiple uses?

I believe the accuracy is within 4%. When I get a sample that is within a point or two of a borderline, like a reading of 74%, I put a sample in my temporary kit and look at it in the daylight. What it looks like in the temporary kit and the flavor will help me determine the actual grade.

To avoid streaks I test my syrup cold. Careful pouring practically eliminates air bubbles. Water marks on the inside just blend in with the syrup and have little if any effect on the reading. I clean the vial really well on the outside to eliminate any dirt or fingerprints and reuse the vials several times.

[VT_K9]

I've tried it out and I have to admit, it is very easy to use. The price just sweetens the decision. I'm reading the precautions about air bubbles, streaks, etc. throwing off the accuracy. I'll do my best, but how sensitive are people finding the device to be - or challenging to keep the vials clear after multiple uses?

We have not had a problem. I make sure to keep enough clean bottles for samples (we keep one sample from each batch through to the end of the year). Our first batch tested at 48%....my Dad and I used the visual comparison grading kit and thought it would be Amber Rich....nope 50% is the cut off to change to Robust. The flavor was great. I know there is a 4% error with the Hanna kit...maybe the second test would put it over 50%. Nope still 48%. It has always produced repeatable and reasonably consistent results.

Mike

[Bruce L]

Do you need to buy extra vials for grading,or just work with the three that comes with it? Wish I’d seen this before I bought new Lovibond few years back for $400.00

[sapman]

My Lovibond has been in storage for years. You can buy a Hanna and a temporary kit together for less money than a replacement vial for the Lovibond. I would need to buy a color wheel for my Lovibond if I were to use it again. That's not cheap either.

I know! I priced the new wheel, and might as well get the whole thing!

[sapman]

I've just used the vials that came with the Hanna. Just one all the time actually, til one broke. I do save samples from every barrel, but in a typical sample jar (much cheaper).

I like the accuracy and objectiveness of the Hanna, but sometimes there are shades that give some "false" readings, I think. Or maybe it's just the subjective opinion of color checking. But I've sold barrels that tested in low 70s with the Hanna, only to be graded Golden by the buyer using Lovibond. Pleasant surprise! So they may have been wrong, but if anything the Hanna is harder on samples than other systems, I think. And buyers typically don't have the time to test with something like Hanna checkers.

[Russell Lampron]

I've just used the vials that came with the Hanna. Just one all the time actually, til one broke. I do save samples from every barrel, but in a typical sample jar (much cheaper).

I like the accuracy and objectiveness of the Hanna, but sometimes there are shades that give some "false" readings, I think. Or maybe it's just the subjective opinion of color checking. But I've sold barrels that tested in low 70s with the Hanna, only to be graded Golden by the buyer using Lovibond. Pleasant surprise! So they may have been wrong, but if anything the Hanna is harder on samples than other systems, I think. And buyers typically don't have the time to test with something like Hanna checkers.

I've got a sample in my Hanna test kit right now that measures 74%. By the percentage scale it should be graded as Amber. When I put it in the temporary kit it's clear to see that it is in fact Golden. I too have brought syrup that I graded as Amber with the Hanna to Bascom's and had them grade it as Golden using the Lovibond.