PH Meter
A pH Meter is not only considered by some to be an essential tool for all grain homebrewing and commercial brewing, but is also a very useful tool to have for making sour beer.
Contents
Recommend pH Meters
High End pH Meters
Higher end pH meters recommended by our members and others.
- Mi150 pH and temperature Laboratory Bench Meter (runs about $250 US) [1]
- UltraBasic Benchtop Meters (discontinued, but may find used at a good price) [2].
Budget pH Meters
pH meters can range from $30 to $500+. The problem with many of the cheaper pH meters is that their reliability and longevity are often questionable [3]. Commonly, two pH meters are recommended by trustworthy sources (AJ Delange and Kai Troester).
Hach Pocket Pro+ pH Tester with Replaceable Sensor.
Features:
- This pH meter is recommended by AJ Delange [3][4].
- Does not require storage solution (there is an o-ring seal on the cap, which only needs to have a few drops of distilled water in it).
- Replaceable sensor.
- Stability [3].
- 2 Buffer calibration.
- Electrode longevity [3].
- Junction resistant to fouling by sugars, proteins [3].
- Lets the user decide when to accept a buffer calibration reading [3].
- ATC [3].
- Automatic buffer recognition [3].
Disadvantages:
- Despite having an automatic calibration message, this pH still often needs to be calibrated before each brew day [3].
Milwaukee MW102 pH/Temp Meter (updated/upgraded from SM101 and MW101).
Features:
- This pH meter is recommended by Kai Troester (SM101 originally) [5].
- 2 Buffer calibration (calibration video)
- ATC.
- Stability [6].
- Separate pH and temperature probes (can use as RTD for temp monitoring) [7].
- Storage solution container screws into probe [7].
- 0.02+/- accuracy.
- Automatic temperature compensation.
- Product specs comparison chart.
Disadvantages:
Buffer Solution
Buffer solution will be required to calibrate a pH meter. In general, it is recommended that a pH meter have a 2 point calibration method, which requires 4.0 buffer solution and 7.0 buffer solution. Many buffer solutions for pH meter calibration can be found on Amazon or other retailers.
External Articles
- AJ Delange's Guide on How to Calibrate and Use pH Meters for Homebrewers.
- Kai Troester's Guide on Purchasing a pH Meter for Homebrewers.
- Measuring Mash pH in Practice, Accidentalis Blog.
References
- ↑ Conversation with Jonathan Newman from The Virginia Beer Company on Milk The Funk. 04/19/2015.
- ↑ Conversation with Brandon Jones of Embrace The Funk on Milk The Funk. 04/21/2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 AJ Delange. Homebrewtalk Thread. Posted 02/08/2012. Retrieved 04/18/2015.
- ↑ Testing the Hach Pocket Pro+ by AJ Delange Homebrewtalk. Retrieved 04/18/2015.
- ↑ Kai Troester. Braukeiser. Updated 09/23/2009. Retrieved 04/18/2015.
- ↑ Comment by AJ Delange on Homebrewtalk. Posted 08/01/2014. Retrieved 04/18/2015.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Conversation with Dustin Carver on Milk THe Funk. 4/18/2015.