Beekeepers need the skillset necessary to operate a hydrometer for honey analysis in order to remain successful beekeepers. A hydrometer can also play an essential part in winemaking, brewing and distilling as it measures specific gravity/density of liquids which in turn gives an indication of how much alcohol will be produced through fermentation.
Beekeepers use hydrometers to measure the moisture content of honey. This measurement is essential in understanding whether it is ready for extraction or packing; ideal moisture levels should fall under 17% otherwise yeasts could start growing and cause fermentation to take place.
Before using a refractometer to assess honey moisture content, it is vital that it be calibrated. Most refractometers come equipped with instructions and a calibration solution which you should read through carefully in order to use properly. Recalibration should occur regularly as seasons pass or there is an extreme temperature change, to maintain accuracy in measurements.
Once your refractometer has been calibrated, add some honey to its glass plate using either a beehive tool to scrape off some honey or simply dripping some onto it. Your refractometer should feature both an ascending Brix scale in the middle and descending water content scale on its right-hand side for measuring water content levels.
Refractometers should be read correctly by observing the line on their plate that passes between both Brix and water content scales, with their intersection indicating honey’s moisture content.