PH Readers- any recommendations

[Braufather]

my current one cost about £40 and was reliable for about 6 months to 9 months but pretty useless after a year. Now it wont even calibrate anymore and reads 4 even when sitting in a calibrating solution of 7. looking at other threads it looks like the electrodes all have a limited lifespan. Thinking of getting one of those 10 quid jobbies as replacing that every year wouldn't be too expensive. but equally dont mind spending a sensible amount more for something that is guaranteed to last.

any recommendations?

 

[-Bezza-]

Because of the need for calibration, and therefore knowing that I would never be entirely sure I had done things right, I just want for the test strips. About £5 for 100 of the things, and have a narrow 4.6-6.2 band that makes them perfect for mash testing.

I appreciate this doesn't answer your question specifically.

 

[ACBEV]

I've had two digital PH testers and as you know they are limited by time and how they are stored. The useful shelf life in my opinion is 6 months. After that I don't think you can count on a true reading.

I think to be really confident in digital testing you would need three testers... If one goes wonky, replace with another new one...

 

[reddibaggie]

Because of the need for calibration, and therefore knowing that I would never be entirely sure I had done things right, I just want for the test strips. About £5 for 100 of the things, and have a narrow 4.6-6.2 band that makes them perfect for mash testing.

I appreciate this doesn't answer your question specifically.

Have you a link for them please, as I’m sick of my ph tester giving me wonky readings.... thanks.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[-Bezza-]

Have you a link for them please, as I’m sick of my ph tester giving me wonky readings.... thanks.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

https://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/acatalog/pH_Strips_4.6_-_6.2_Pack_of_50.html

The link says 50, the description says 100 - not sure which is right and although I have some at home, I think I might have bought a pack of 20 (at 36p cheaper) so can't check for you. Oh well!

 

[Braufather]

No recommendations for a solid reader then. Think I will just buy a few of the yellow ones then.

 

[strange-steve]

I have this Voltcraft pH meter which I really like, but have a look at my thread here where I compare it to a cheap pH pen.

 

[Braufather]

yes i saw that- thats where i got the idea for the cheapy yellow one.

 

[divrack]

Ah, the age old dilemma. Buy cheap crap or spend a fortune and have it break anyways. My cheapo pen didn't work at all until I took batteries out for a day and revalibrated. Seems OK after doing this so far but it's a pita to have to faff about for each use.
But then I don't really want to spend hundreds... Perhaps I'll just calibrate my tongue.

 

[Gunge]

yes i saw that- thats where i got the idea for the cheapy yellow one.

Mine's an el cheapo yellow one. Had it over 6 months and so long as it keeps telling me that my mash pH is 5.2 - 5.5 I'm sticking with it

 

[Zephyr259]

I have cheap yellow one, first brew using it was fine and my pH was about where I expected it, since then the pH reads 0.2 lower than expected with the last 2 brews being 0.3 and 0.4 (that one I think my acid malt estimate was off). I tested it on the calibration fluid at work and it was mostly ok. Figured my water must be different from my estimated report so I adjusted the alkalinity which dropped the expected pH by 0.1, I then aimed higher than normal and still got a reading of 5.1 after arimiing for 5.45 so either my water has essentially no alkalinity or way more calcium than I think or the pH meter doesn't like my wort. My beers seem to turn out fine so I'm not overly worried but wish my numbers would match a bit better, dont want to through a heap of bicarb into my pale beers as it feels wrong. I'm temped by a better meter but kinda expect it would just agree with the cheap on then 'd feel daft.

 

[Braufather]

I think that’s it too. How much do you need to spend, and at the end of the day does it really matter. I had one brew that measured 4.9 but came out great. Just for piece of mind though, i would like to keep measuring so thinking the cheapy ones make a good compromise!

 

[peebee]

Cheap yellow ones for sure. Buy a new one every year, or when the current one starts annoying you. (Bang goes the "green" credentials). If you go for an expensive meter, make sure you can get hold of replacement probes fairly cheaply. A good supply of calibration buffers is a good idea (not just for calibration, but for those "that can't be right" scenarios).

Do not buy a stock of replacements; the sensors deteriorate with age and go bad even if unused.

 

[Clint]

Is there a really good one available for anyone wishing to chuck money at it? How do you tell when the cheap unit starts to go wonky as surely from brew to brew thx pH must waver slightly ..?
Water treatment is on my to do list but I feel as if I can't start in a reliable,***** proof place I can't begin to understand it all....

 

[dad_of_jon]

Is there a really good one available for anyone wishing to chuck money at it? How do you tell when the cheap unit starts to go wonky as surely from brew to brew thx pH must waver slightly ..?
Water treatment is on my to do list but I feel as if I can't start in a reliable,***** proof place I can't begin to understand it all....

i think you test it with a calibrated liquid whose ph is already known?

 

[-Bezza-]

It looks to me like the cheap testers can be adjusted and with pH buffering solution being pretty cheap too, you can have a fully calibrated setup for about £20. Or am I missing something?

 

[Clint]

Found a tester that looks interesting...homebrew online have one called beverage doctor that has replaceable electrodes,digital calibration...£46.
Edit...they sell it for around £38 plus p+p..