Digital Refractometer Comparison

[DRoseum]

Looking for insight on 2 digital refractometers and perspective on which is best. Has anyone used both? There is decent price difference and wondering if it's worth it:

Misco eMaple $470: https://www.misco.com/product/maple-...sugar-emaplef/

Hanna HI96801 $231:
https://www.hannainst.com/hi96801-di...UaAg2jEALw_wcB

[Truartcle]

I purchased a Milwaukee MA871 a few years back and love it. I've never had any issues with it. It's on amazon for about 145.00. It looks a lot like the Hanna HI96801.

[maple flats]

I just use the Murphy cup and gold series hydrometer, never had any issue. For sap I use a long sap hydrometer.

[DRoseum]

I have a murphy cup and "certified" gold series hydrometer and recently discovered it is off by almost 1 brix by testing with multiple refractometers used to judge competitions.

The hydrometer red line scale indicator is intact - the scale has not moved amd hydrometer is not damaged - just way off.

Looking for another method in addition to hydrometer/Murphy cup and optical refractometer.

[DrTimPerkins]

https://mapleresearch.org/wp-content...comparison.pdf

[Bricklayer]

I’ve never liked the digital refractometers. I’ve had both and sold both. I never trusted it.
The Murphy cup is great but you have to calibrate it every year at least. They have a guide to do it on their website.
It tells you what temperature it should be reading at a certain brix on the dial. I usually have to tweak mine every year.
I usually try to calibrate it to the 212 mark. So i boil a big pot of water. And then fill the Murphy cup. Dump it out. Full it again and dump it. Then fill it again and see where the dial is. If it’s off I adjust with the screws on the back.

[DRoseum]

https://mapleresearch.org/wp-content...comparison.pdf

Thank you Dr. Tim! Great research article!

[Kh7722]

Hydrometer is the best way to go, especially when dealing with hot syrup. Use the chart to adjust brix based on temp. Digital units dont work well with hot syrup, especially for almost 500$ its a waste, 30$ buy a new hydrometer yearly.

[SeanD]

Thanks for posting this question. I've been thinking about digital refractometers recently. I really like using the Hannah Checker for grading syrup and it would be nice to have something quick and accurate like that for checking density. It's true the hydrometer is the best bet for hot syrup. I have an optical refractometer that's no use there and the hydrometer along with the temperature compensation charts and corrections tables get the job done accurately and fairly quickly.

Aside from finishing the syrup, though there are a lot of times where the digital refractometer would be a good option. I check the density of raw sap, after the first pass, and then the second pass. I also check the density when I open my bulk containers before bottling all year long. I also keep bees, so having something for honey would be nice, too. Most of my density checks aren't with hot liquids.

It's not a refractometer vs. hydrometer question for me. I'll use both. Back to the OP - does anyone have input on the Misco vs. the Hannah? At half the price, does the Hannah hold up to the Misco accuracy?

[johnallin]

Thanks for posting this question….. Back to the OP - does anyone have input on the Misco vs. the Hannah? At half the price, does the Hannah hold up to the Misco accuracy?

I can’t speak for the Hanna but I’ve had a Misco for 12 years now. One big difference is the Misco has a cap to cover the prison where as the Hanna looks like it’s open. Keeping it covered minimizes evaporation of the sample and a truer reading.
Also from my experience in competition, the readings I get on entries never vary more than .01% from what judges grade at. I think in this case you get what you paid for, applies. Hot syrup out of the bottler needs 1-2 minutes to settle for a good reading, room temp is much shorter. I’d recommend the Mksco.