PH Meter

[CD]

I have never checked the pH of anything in my life, but have brewed a lot of superb beer nevertheless.

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

I do check pH, every time. I also check TDS readings for my water - before and after additions. I check temperatures. I weigh grain, hops, water additions. I measure volumes. I take intermediate gravity readings through the mash…

The point of all this is quality and consistency. If you’re happy with the beers you’re making, getting consistent results through repetition, and are not curious then you probably won’t bother. I think many of us though would like to achieve the best and most consistent results we can, and we genuinely are curious about this stuff. It’s also nice to have data to help explain anything unexpected.

 

[DocAnna]

I do find the efficiency of the mash is greatly influenced by pH but I find it does require about 8-10ml of lactic acid solution for a 19-21 litre batch. I'd prefer to use phosphoric acid but I haven't been able to find a supply of this in food grade in smaller than the huge bottles supplied to commercial breweries.

Anna

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I do find the efficiency of the mash is greatly influenced by pH but I find it does require about 8-10ml of lactic acid solution for a 19-21 litre batch. I'd prefer to use phosphoric acid but I haven't been able to find a supply of this in food grade in smaller than the huge bottles supplied to commercial breweries.

Anna

Anna
I bought phosphoric acid from Geterbrewed 230ml for £3.96.

 

[DocAnna]

Anna
I bought phosphoric acid from Geterbrewed 230ml for £3.96.

Having a doh! moment as I'd not been able to find this before .

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

I do check pH, every time. I also check TDS readings for my water - before and after additions. I check temperatures. I weigh grain, hops, water additions. I measure volumes. I take intermediate gravity readings through the mash…

The point of all this is quality and consistency. If you’re happy with the beers you’re making, getting consistent results through repetition, and are not curious then you probably won’t bother. I think many of us though would like to achieve the best and most consistent results we can, and we genuinely are curious about this stuff. It’s also nice to have data to help explain anything unexpected.

Exactly. You put it much better than I could.

 

[The Baron]

I do find the efficiency of the mash is greatly influenced by pH but I find it does require about 8-10ml of lactic acid solution for a 19-21 litre batch. I'd prefer to use phosphoric acid but I haven't been able to find a supply of this in food grade in smaller than the huge bottles supplied to commercial breweries.

Anna

Hi Anna I prefer to use Lactic acid grain (Acidulated Malt)as my preferred PH adjuster or Lactic Acid in liquid dilution usually about 6ml of Liquid Lactic or around 200g of Lactic grain in 19-21 batches too. Never tried phosphoric though

 

[An Ankoù]

I do find the efficiency of the mash is greatly influenced by pH but I find it does require about 8-10ml of lactic acid solution for a 19-21 litre batch. I'd prefer to use phosphoric acid but I haven't been able to find a supply of this in food grade in smaller than the huge bottles supplied to commercial breweries.

Anna

Here we are @DocAnna , https://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/phosphoric-acid-75-230-ml-406-g-p-3387.html?cPath=3_34
I find it easier to use when it's diluted to 10% or even 5% and it lasts ages. In fact I prefer to use acidulated malt.

I'm still not going to buy a pH meter, though.

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

Having a doh! moment as I'd not been able to find this before .

Brilliant! I've not been able to find it either For most styles I use AML/CRS as it helps me push the sulphate and chloride without the calcium going through the roof; but having some phosphoric would certainly extend my options

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

Here we are @DocAnna , https://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/phosphoric-acid-75-230-ml-406-g-p-3387.html?cPath=3_34
I find it easier to use when it's diluted to 10% or even 5% and it lasts ages. In fact I prefer to use acidulated malt.

I'm still not going to buy a pH meter, though.

Photo of my pH meter in use...

 

[An Ankoù]

Photo of my pH meter in use...

View attachment 52896

Congratulations on your new addition to the family. What are you going to call her?

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

Congratulations on your new addition to the family. What are you going to call her?

Huh….???

 

[RoomWithABrew]

Huh….???

I suspect it's because it's a bit like an early pregnancy test kit!

 

[RoomWithABrew]

I also check TDS readings for my water - before and after additions.

I've got a tds meter wondering what info it can give me to add to my data collection and how to use that info.