In recent years, an instrument such as the refractometer has undergone a profound evolution. The classic traditional models are gradually giving way to digital ones, with the implementation of increasingly advanced technologies. Let's find out together all about the digital refractometer, what it is used for and what its main types are.
Refractometer: what is it?
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Before delving into the various aspects of the handheld digital refractometer and used, it is necessary to know in general what a refractometer is. It is a simple instrument with which you can test for the precise presence of certain substances in any food, particularly liquid food. Such a test takes only a few minutes and allows the user to avoid taking products with incorrect dosages, with tangible benefits for their health right from the start and the chance to remove any margin of error. In addition to food, the accessory is also used for medical purposes, such as blood and urine analysis. The instrument therefore relies on simplicity and immediacy and can be used by everyone without difficulty, provided, of course, that they know how to use it.
What is a digital refractometer
As mentioned earlier, the classic refractometer has gradually been joined by a new model that seems to be its natural evolution. This is, of course, the digital refractometer, with which one can immediately see a clear saving in time. The device manages to simplify the reading of the various values, the unit of measurement of which is the Brix. The latter corresponds to the measurement of the various substances contained in liquid and conducted in the solid state for a far more thorough and meticulous analysis. There are several differences between a digital refractometer and a traditional one. In fact, the most recent type on the market is characterised by the presence of a convenient display, which makes it much easier to read each piece of data and allows for numbers that correspond much more closely to reality. Such a choice also has its downsides, since the digital one needs a battery sequence to make the screen work, while the traditional one does not need any kind of charge or power supply. In all cases, those who need to carry out laboratory studies should prefer a digital model, while those who want to carry out tests purely for recreational purposes and in an amateur manner can happily make do with the traditional one.
The digital model is also a good choice.
How a digital Brix refractometer works
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A digital refractometer for beer, wine or any other type of beverage or liquid is characterised by a number of precise functions. This instrument consists of a prism that serves as the basis for all experiments. On board this prism, you simply add a couple of drops relating to the liquid you intend to analyse, be it a sugary or saline one. The refractometer contains a small light plate, which must be closed properly when the research begins. At this point, the prism must be directed towards any light source. Through the eyepiece, it is now possible to take a closer look at the final result of the experiment. There is a white and a blue portion of the analysed sample. It is sufficient to check the boundary line located halfway between the two portions to get a closer look at the conclusive data for a given product. As you can see, one of the strengths of a digital refractometer and what it is used for lies in its simplicity, which makes it easy to use and usable even by people with little knowledge of science and chemistry.
The importance of refractive angle analysis for digital refractometer operation
When talking about a used digital refractometer or a new one, one cannot fail to consider its ability to measure the so-called angle of refraction. The latter is present within each substance in its liquid state and corresponds to a numerical value, thanks to which the refractometer is able to perform all its operations. This quantity is always directly proportional to the concentrate of a solid substance dissolved in a predominantly liquid solution. The initial objective of using a digital refractometer was to analyse the liquid concentrate within sucrose, the sugar used in cooking. Over time, the importance of the device grew exponentially and its applications multiplied. Today, any kind of organic or inorganic substance can be tested using a refractometer, including the more complex elements.
The most important types of digital refractometers
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There are currently four main types of digital refractometers for beer
and all other commercially available liquid products. Let's find out which ones they are:
- Traditional hand-held refractometers
- Portable Digital Refractometers
- Process Refractometers
- Abbe Refractometers
Everyone can choose the type of digital Brix Refractometer that best suits them. It all depends on the degree of specialisation, the intended use, and the budget one intends to invest in such a product. In addition to the functions already mentioned, the device also ensures its proper application in the field of gemmology, particularly on transparent minerals. Several rather special and specific stones, such as rubies and topazes, are best analysed with the help of a good polarising filter. Through the latter, it becomes possible to keep an eye on the exact composition of various gems, including the most precious ones, always setting their respective refractive index as a parameter. At the same time, even the fluids in a car need such a device, from engine oil to antifreeze via coolant. Finally, other types of refractometers are good for checking the angle of refraction of gaseous substances.
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In the Colaver catalogue, there are several types of refractometers buy here >>
Some high-end portable digital refractometer models
Of the many brands selling digital refractometers that are all worth discovering and buying, Colaver is undoubtedly one of the most famous. One example is the DBR45 model, which is extremely quick and easy to use. Perfect even for coloured and turbid samples, the specimen requires only a single drop of sample to guarantee high-precision results. It features an IP66-certified watertight seal, with which the device is well protected from the elements, and its operation is realised using a simple 9V battery. Also very popular is the DBR95, a small bench-top refractometer that is appreciated for a perfect combination of practicality and manageability. Equipped with a stainless steel sample cell, it aims to remain at peak mechanical efficiency for a very long time. Simply press the CAL button to automatically calibrate to a selected point. It too runs on a 9V battery.
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Why buy a digital refractometer
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We have now discovered all the main features of a digital refractometer and what it is used for. But why should such a product be purchased even by those without specific scientific expertise? First of all, it allows an accurate analysis of the amount of sugar present in any liquid, with the chance of producing high quality beers and wines with ideal calibration. The device allows an almost perfect prediction of the taste of the food you are about to ingest and is very important for this very reason. In addition, it must be added that a portable digital refractometer has a very low average price, accessible even to those who do not have a large budget or do not want to invest too much money. There is certainly no shortage of positive reasons to make such a purchase.