HI-96841 Digital Refractometer for Brewing 

The compact HI-96841 Digital Refractometer is a reliable and accurate instrument for measuring the sugar content of the wort during the brewing process. This compact and portable beer meter has exceptional accuracy with a tiny sample size, preventing wastage and ensuring you have the results you need as a commercial brewery within 1.5 seconds of starting testing.

This beer sugar meter measures the refractive index of the wort and then automatically converts it into the commonly used °Plato, providing vital information about the concentration of sugars and dissolved solids required by commercial breweries. The HI-96841 converts the refractive index reading to °Plato based on the tables maintained by the International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis (ICUMSA) and the American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC).

Please note that once fermentation begins, ethanol and the residual sugar interfere with each other and prevent an accurate reading of the Brix value of your residual sugar. For this reason, this refractometer cannot be used with finished beer or other fermented beverages. It is designed for use with wort only.

HI-96841 features

1.5 second fast response time

The HI-96841 sugar refractometer for wort can deliver results from testing in just 1.5 seconds, including conversion. This allows for the fast and convenient continual testing of wort during various stages of brewing, providing immediate feedback to make adjustments or keep records as required. 

Simple operation with single button testing

Simply turn the meter on and press read once a sample has been placed in the well to complete the testing process. This easy-to-use meter makes testing wort sugar as convenient as possible, with temperature compensation algorithms based on sucrose solution and a 0 to 30 °Plato range with ± 0.2 °Plato accuracy when testing. Learn more about testing with the HI-96841 here.

One-point calibration

Calibrate this beer sugar meter in seconds with distilled or deionised water, ensuring the continued accuracy of the HI-96841 for repeated testing. To clean the meter between tests simply soak up the sample with a soft tissue and rinse with either water type to be ready for the next measurement.

Small sample size for testing

A tiny sample size of just 0.1 mL is required for testing, preventing wastage when monitoring the sugar levels of beer during the wort stage. This small sample combined with the portability of the HI-96841 makes this wort refractometer a convenient solution for testing on-site in commercial brewery environments.

Dual-level LCD for measurement and temperature

Both the measurement of the sample and temperature readings are displayed on the screen simultaneously. This offers all of the information needed to record sugar measurements throughout the brewing process, helping businesses comply with their internal and regulatory requirements for testing their beer. 

Automatic shut-off

The HI-96841 automatically shuts off three minutes after non-use, preserving the lifespan of the battery. This meter is powered by a 9V battery, with approximately 5,000 readings before a new battery is required.

FAQs

Why measure the sugar in wort?

The measurement of sugar in wort is a vital way to manage the fermentation process and determine the alcohol content of your final beer. For commercial breweries, monitoring sugar is key for achieving a consistent result for their beer in line with brand guidelines and nutrition requirements.

Why use a refractometer to measure wort in breweries?

Hanna’s HI-96841 refractometer is a simple and portable solution for measuring specific gravity, or °Plato, in wort. The portable nature of this beer, and the small sample size required, make this meter a convenient and easy solution for tracking this parameter with accuracy and reliability.

How do I measure sugar with this refractometer?

To measure sugar with the HI-96841, pipette a 0.1 mL sample onto the prism surface and press the READ key to take your reading in units of % °Plato. For detailed information about testing with this meter, see the included manual, or read our article about how to measure the sugar content of wort in brewing here.

Can I speak to the experts?

Our team of in-house specialists have the knowledge and expertise to advise you on the best brewing equipment for your commercial applications. Call us on 01525 850 855 or email us at sales@hannainstruments.co.uk to discuss your requirements and get advice on the ideal solutions for your brewery.