One for the PH boffins

[The Baron]

Well the one I bought was the usual Chinese item and cost under a £fiver inc postage. When it cam it had calibration solution and was spot on I did not even need to adjust it. My distilled water is at PH 7 as well so all seems good at the mo as regards reliability and long term accuracy yet to find out. I have saved the solution to recalibrate in the future possibly each time until fully confident it is correct

 

[chthon]

One of the nestors on the Flemish homebrew forum recommends Consort. The main reason for him is that the probes don't wear out. But this is a laboratory grade instrument.

I have a HM Digital PH-200. I am content about this instrument, but its probe wears out and needs to be replaced after about three years. This seems to be standard for most models which are not really laboratory grade, but I would say, "technical grade", not just for measuring the pH of soil.

 

[The Baron]

At under a £fiver I can stomach that and buy another nut initial impressions say it is accurate enough for most I would think

 

[strange-steve]

Ps I did us 5.2 for a while but did not have a PH meter to measure at that time whats your thoughts on that stuff Steve?

I've never used it but I know that it's the pretty much universally disliked by the water experts, because at best it doesn't work and at worst it adds a lot of stuff we probably don't want in our beer. Best avoid it.

If you add more than a few ounces to a 5 gallon batch, you can taste it. It's not unpleasant, but it's noticeable.

Yeah I think around 5% is the recommended maximum, but in a pilsner or similar probably less.

Can anybody recommend a good reliable mode

I have one of these Voltcraft meters (although I'm pretty sure I only paid about half that price for it). But I also have an el cheapo meter from ebay and they always read very close to each other.

 

[An Ankoù]

I've never used it but I know that it's the pretty much universally disliked by the water experts, because at best it doesn't work and at worst it adds a lot of stuff we probably don't want in our beer. Best avoid it.


Yeah I think around 5% is the recommended maximum, but in a pilsner or similar probably less.


I have one of these Voltcraft meters (although I'm pretty sure I only paid about half that price for it). But I also have an el cheapo meter from ebay and they always read very close to each other.

Reassuringly expensive.

 

[Argentum]

I also used narrow range indicator papers, but it's high time I upgraded to a decent pH meter. Can anybody recommend a good reliable model?

The 'Apera pH60' is a nice pH meter that won't break the bank.

 

[An Ankoù]

The 'Apera pH60' is a nice pH meter that won't break the bank.

Thanks, Argentum. Just checked on Amazon and I think I could afford the replacement probe! Even more reassuringly expensive than Steve's.
Joking aside. Thanks everybody. I'm only going to buy it once so I'll get a good one. Just want to make sure it's the right one.

 

[private4587]

I have two pH meters both from ali express and i get different results from them whilst both read correct in the calibration fluids. They give different readings when used with the mash. Also whilst my brews taste Ok to em anyway i am puzzled as the pH results are quite different from the expected using Bru n water. I have been told that this could be because of the use of chrystal malts. is there any other water tools that give better results even when using chrystal malts.

 

[An Ankoù]

I'm thinking of buying one of these pH meters from the homebrewcompany:
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/ph-meter-01400-resolution-001-p-3573.html
Does anybody have one already? Are they ok?
Thanks

 

[ChrisRedWills]

I always add about 100g of acid malt to all my brews I think im right in thinking that German brewer's used acid malt because they were banned from adding additives to the water I may be wrong

 

[strange-steve]

i am puzzled as the pH results are quite different from the expected using Bru n water. I have been told that this could be because of the use of chrystal malts. is there any other water tools that give better results even when using chrystal malts.

I don't think this is a limitation exclusive to Bru'n Water. It's probably practically impossible to predict mash pH with a high degree of accuracy so the best that tools like BW can do is an estimate, but that's usually good enough to get into the correct range. How far off have you been?

I think im right in thinking that German brewer's used acid malt because they were banned from adding additives

You are right, but unless you know that you need it (from alkalinity test or water report) then I wouldn't bother.

 

[private4587]

I don't think this is a limitation exclusive to Bru'n Water. It's probably practically impossible to predict mash pH with a high degree of accuracy so the best that tools like BW can do is an estimate, but that's usually good enough to get into the correct range. How far off have you been?


You are right, but unless you know that you need it (from alkalinity test or water report) then I wouldn't bother.

Steve if i go by the yellow one(pH meter) then i am quite a way off it is showing 4.7 this is after being calibrated to 6.8 & 4.1 in solutions