calcium chloride and magnesium sulphate

[gurtpint]

OK, since it's still too bloody warm I've been doing a lot of brewing in theory and none in practise... Could someone help me nailing the water treatment for bitter/pale ale? I have calcium chloride (33% solution) and magnesium sulphate (crystals) in my hands. I used the calculator here and it suggested I use about 5g of gypsum in the mash and then about the same amount of gypsum and epsom salts in boil. Since this stuff is not exactly the same I have, would the same amounts do nevertheless? Should the additions to be used in boil be added just before I start cooling or earlier? The calculator also suggested using some 5ml of carbonate reducing solution for the total water volume. Don't have it - does it make a big difference? Thanks.

 

I can't answer your technical quesies, but as to it being too warm, I just ignore it and brew anyway.
It just takes a little longer to "rapid" chill after the boil!

 

[gurtpint]

Ta eric. I'll still give the brewing a rest for at least a few days. It's been oppressively hot + humid here for the weekend, feels like you could cut the air with a knife, and my ambient room temp bolted up to +30C again.

Anyone else with insight on the dosage issues here?

 

[Aleman]

Magnesium sulphate and calcium sulphate while similar do different things in mashing / boiling and fermenting. . . . Calcium chloride is different again.

CRS is a blend of Hydrochloric and Sulphuric acids and removes bicarbonate . . . . whis is 'important' in breing pale ales.

How important only you can decide. . . . Water treatment is not a magic 'cure all' silver bullet (Despite many brewers trying to imply it is).

If you do not have the right chemicals then do nothing, as using the wrong stuff is more than likely to be detrimental.

Water treatment only really yields a benefit once you have a sound brewing technique and are producing consistently good beers anyway.

 

[gurtpint]

Cheers Aleman. I suppose it's quite easy to get lost in details instead of looking at the big picture. Maybe I should just get started without worrying about fiddling with my water too much (a scant tsp of magnesium sulphate in the mash perhaps?). Just hope that I don't get any unpleasant chloromine side effects due my lack of Campden tablets. If I'm lucky with the weather I'll start brewing next weekend and can't get hold of that stuff in time.