Test for nitrate ions

I found two versions of test for nitrate ions:
1)
boil the suspected nitrate with sodium hydroxide solution and fine aluminium powder (Devarda's Alloy)
the fumes contain ammonia, which turns red litmus blue
the aluminium powder is a powerful reducing agent and converts the nitrate ion, NO3-, into ammonia gas, NH3

2)Brown ring test
add iron(II) sulphate solution to the suspected nitrate and then conc. sulphuric acid along the test tube so that it stays at the bottom
A brown ring is observed
Conc. sulphuric acid convert nitrate ions to nitric acid which is reduced by Fe2+ to NO. Then NO form brown complex with FeSO4

Are both of the methods accepted?
Which can be carried out more easily in Lab?