The SmartRef is the first refractometer with automatic wort and alcohol correction. This allows you to track the fermentation process of the beer - even when alcohol is present. In the Brew Meister app, the automatic wort and alcohol correction is applied in the saved batches as soon as you have selected the original gravity (OG) in the batch for your beer. If you also want to calculate the estimated alcohol content, select your final gravity (FG) as well.
Important to know:
The measured value that you initially see on the measurement screen is not alcohol corrected. This applies to all measurements during fermentation. To see the corrected values, the value must be saved and viewed in the batch.
Carrying out the measurement step by step:
- Select your desired unit of measurement: Go to ’Settings’ and ‘Measurement Unit’ and choose either °Plato or SG 20/20.
- Go to ‘Batches’ to create a SmartRef batch to store your measurements.
- Carry out the original gravity measurement and save the measurement value in your batch.
- Open the batch and tap on the measured value in the ’Readings’. A new window is opened. Select as ’Type of reading’ ’Original gravity’. Tap on ’Save’. Now this value is saved as your original gravity value and is automatically wort-corrected.
TIP: The default wort correction factor is 1.03. This value fits most standard beers.
To change the wort correction factor:
Either go to ’Settings’ – ‘Calculations’ – ‘Wort Correction’ and change the wort correction factor according to your needs or tap the three dots in the top right corner of your batch and open ’Wort Correction’. Enter the new factor in the ’Wort Correction Factor‘ line and save your changes.
As soon as a new correction factor is saved, this factor is applied to all readings in the batch.
- Take measurements of your fermentation sample at regular intervals and save the measurements in your batch. All measured values are automatically wort and alcohol corrected.
TIP: There are two different calculation formulas available for calculating the alcohol correction: Standard formula and Sean Terrill formula. By default, the standard formula is used for alcohol correction, which is suitable for most types of beer.
To change the alcohol correction formula:
Either go to ’Settings’ – ’Calculations‘ – ’Alcohol‘ and choose between two different formulas or “no correction” or tap the three dots in the top right corner of your batch and open ’Alcohol Correction‘ and choose between two different formulas or “no correction”.
Once a formula is saved, that formula is applied to the batch.
- To view the estimated alcohol content, open the batch and tap on the last measured value. A new window is opened. Select as ’Type of reading’ ’Final gravity’. Now this value is saved as your final gravity value.
The estimated alcohol content is now displayed in your batch.
TIP: It is also possible to add a value to the list of measurements manually. To do this, go to ’Readings‘ and tap on the + symbol. A new window opens. Type in the measured value, temperature, date and time and type of reading. Define whether this value has already been corrected for wort and alcohol or not. The value will then be automatically added to your list of measurements.