{"product_id":"vst-lab-iii","title":"VST LAB Coffee III Refractometer","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVST LAB Coffee III Refractometer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Industry Standard for Coffee Measurement\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe VST LAB Coffee III Refractometer is the original scientific instrument that revolutionised how the coffee world measures, understands, and repeats brew quality. Whether you're dialling in a new single origin, training staff on extraction principles, or simply chasing that perfect cup, this fourth-generation refractometer delivers laboratory-grade precision in a handheld device built for the demands of commercial coffee environments. For over 15 years, VST refractometers have empowered baristas, roasters, and researchers with data they can trust, and this latest iteration represents the pinnacle of that development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy measuring Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in your coffee or espresso, you gain objective insight into what's actually happening during extraction. The TDS information, along with your brewing recipe and final beverage weight, can be used to calculate and plot extraction yield, giving you the data needed to troubleshoot underextracted sourness or overextracted bitterness with confidence rather than guesswork. Combined with VST's CoffeeTools software, it lets baristas and roasters map extraction yield, fine-tune brews in real time, and achieve the flavour profile they love consistently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe VST refractometer is the global standard for competitions, R\u0026amp;D labs, and quality-focused cafés, having served as the official tool at the World Brewers Cup, World Cup Tasters, and World Barista Championship from 2012 to 2022. It's the standard against which all other coffee refractometers are compared. For roasteries like ours, it's an invaluable tool for quality control and recipe development, and we're pleased to make it available to fellow coffee professionals and enthusiasts who want to bring the same rigour to their brewing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- Section 2: Technical Specifications --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-specifications\"\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTDS Measurement Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.00% to 20.00% (auto-ranging between coffee and espresso scales)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrecision:\u003c\/strong\u003e ±0.01%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccuracy (Coffee Range 0.00-4.99%):\u003c\/strong\u003e ±0.03%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccuracy (Espresso Range 5.00-20.00%):\u003c\/strong\u003e ±0.05%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOptical System:\u003c\/strong\u003e Advanced 1024-element detector array with sapphire optics\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature Compensation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Automatic, 15°C to 40°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24-character backlit LCD, two-line readout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSample Well:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless steel with evaporation cover and ambient light shield\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurement Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2-3 seconds (automatically averages multiple readings)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLanguage Options:\u003c\/strong\u003e English, Spanish, German, French, Russian\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two AAA batteries (4,000+ measurements per set)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rubberised silicone armour jacket for durability\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCalibration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smart Zero-Set software using distilled water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertification:\u003c\/strong\u003e NIST Traceable Reference Standards certificate included\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry of Manufacture:\u003c\/strong\u003e USA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoftware Compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Works with VST CoffeeTools for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android (software sold separately)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVST LAB Coffee III Refractometer with integrated auto-ranging Coffee and Espresso TDS scales\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrey rubberised silicone armour jacket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePipettes (10 pieces)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCleaning pads (10 pieces)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSyringe filter kit (50 filters, 5 syringes) for espresso and metal-filtered coffee samples (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ozonecoffee.mom\/products\/vst-syringe-filters\" title=\"VST Syringe Filter available from Ozone Coffee Roasters\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eadditional filters available separately\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNIST Traceable Quality Assurance Certificate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVST Software Links\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/app\/mojotogo\/id351660247?mt=8\" title=\"[EXTERNAL] Download VST CoffeeTools™ software for iPhone\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eVST CoffeeTools™ for iPhone\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/mojotogo-pro\/id580506126?ls=1\u0026amp;mt=8\" title=\"[EXTERNAL] Download VST CoffeeTools™ software for iPad\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eVST CoffeeTools™ for iPad\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.vstapps.android.coffeetools\" title=\"[EXTERNAL] Download VST CoffeeTools™ software for ANDROID\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eVST CoffeeTools™ for ANDROID\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- Section 3: FAQs --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-faqs\"\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is TDS and why does it matter for coffee brewing?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids and represents the percentage of your brewed coffee that consists of dissolved coffee compounds rather than water. The TDS value is a measure of coffee strength: a stronger coffee has a higher TDS percentage, while a thinner one has a correspondingly lower value. Studies have determined that most people prefer their brewed coffee with a finished concentration of 1.15% to 1.35% TDS for filter coffee, while espresso typically sits around 9% to 10% TDS. Knowing your TDS allows you to make informed adjustments to your brewing parameters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I calculate extraction yield from a TDS reading?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe refractometer itself measures TDS only. To calculate extraction yield, you'll need to input the TDS reading along with your coffee dose and final beverage weight into VST CoffeeTools software (available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android). The software then calculates what percentage of your ground coffee was actually dissolved into the brew, with the widely accepted target range being 18% to 22% extraction yield for most brewing methods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need to filter my coffee samples before measuring?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your brew does not go through a paper filter, it needs to be filtered before you measure it. This includes espresso and coffee brewed with metal mesh filters such as French press or certain pour-over drippers. The included syringe filter kit is designed for this purpose. Paper-filtered pour-over and batch brew samples can typically be measured directly without additional filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat makes the VST refractometer better than cheaper alternatives?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe VST measures coffee strengths from 0.00% to approximately 20% TDS and achieves outstanding accuracy of ±0.03% in the coffee range. Its advanced optical engine uses a 1024-element detector array with sapphire optics, providing the resolution needed for meaningful, repeatable measurements. It remains the gold standard for TDS measurement and extraction analysis and is the tool of choice in world competitions, R\u0026amp;D labs, and quality-focused cafés globally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I calibrate the refractometer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe VST LAB Coffee III features Smart Zero-Set software that allows you to calibrate using readily available distilled water. Simply place a small sample of distilled water on the sample well and follow the on-screen prompts to zero the device. This ensures accurate readings at the start of each sampling session.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat temperature should my coffee sample be?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe refractometer has built-in non-linear temperature compensation, which guarantees accurate readings at sample temperatures from 15°C to 40°C. However, for the most consistent results, many professionals allow their samples to cool to room temperature before measuring, as this reduces the risk of evaporation affecting the reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the VST CoffeeTools software included?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe refractometer can be used standalone to measure TDS, but the VST CoffeeTools software for calculating extraction yield and charting your results is sold separately. The software is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long do the batteries last?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe device is powered by two AAA batteries, which last for over 4,000 measurements with the backlight turned on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I use this refractometer for tea as well?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the VST LAB Coffee III is calibrated specifically for coffee and espresso, it can provide TDS readings for tea. However, the accuracy specifications are validated for coffee, and tea may require different interpretation of results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the difference between the VST refractometer and a Brix refractometer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile a Brix refractometer can technically be used to measure coffee, they tend to be less accurate and require more calculations. The VST was specifically designed for coffee measurement, with scales and temperature compensation algorithms optimised for the unique properties of dissolved coffee compounds, making it far more practical and reliable for daily use in a café or roastery environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"VST","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31684035575861,"sku":"VST Refractometer","price":850.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0023\/1572\/products\/VSTLABCoffeeIllRefractometer.png?v=1648057906","url":"https:\/\/ozonecoffee.mom\/products\/vst-lab-iii","provider":"Ozone Coffee UK","version":"1.0","type":"link"}