Equipment department
Gravity & sampling
Choose a measuring method and the equipment needed around it. A floating hydrometer, optical refractometer, wireless sensor, sample thief and test jar perform different parts of the measurement task.
Buying advice & FAQ ↓Choosing gravity & sampling
What changes the purchase?
Compare the actual reading method
The FastRack 5451 is a floating triple-scale hydrometer. The handheld refractometer shows Brix and a wort-SG scale, with ATC. Tilt Black reports gravity and temperature through Bluetooth and requires a suitable nearby receiving arrangement. None is presented as a direct final-alcohol meter or an automatic bottling-readiness decision.
Complete the sampling and reading arrangement
Fermtech’s Deluxe set combines a Thief, hydrometer and brush. The Home Brew Ohio glass set has a separate thief, test jar and hydrometer. The Brewing America combo includes its hydrometer and glass jar but not a sampler. Choose the package according to which parts you already own.
A jar or sampler does not add the instrument
The standalone Brewing America jar and plastic test jar do not include hydrometers. The 19 in Fermtech Thief is also available alone. Check the actual hydrometer clearance, reading temperature and vessel access; a jar’s sample guidance or a sampler’s length does not establish universal instrument fit or calibrated sample volume.
Questions before choosing
Does a potential-alcohol scale show the finished drink’s ABV directly?
No direct final-ABV reading is established. The scale label should not be treated as a complete final-strength measurement.
Is a test jar a hydrometer?
No. It holds the sample for a separate instrument. Check whether the chosen package includes that instrument.
Does ATC mean alcohol correction?
The selected refractometer’s ATC label concerns temperature compensation. It does not establish correction for alcohol in a fermented sample.
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