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PH Meter
,→High End pH Meters
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. For examples of when an accurate pH reading is useful in the sour brewing process, see the [[Mixed Fermentation]], [[Sour WortingWort Souring]], and [[Lactobacillus]] pages.
==Recommend pH Meters==
===High End pH Meters===
Higher end pH meters recommended by our members and others. "Benchtop" meters are generally higher end, and are good choices for professional brewers.
* [http://www.milwaukeeinst.com/site/products/products/martini-bench-meters/67-products-g-martini-bench-meters-g-mi150 Mi150 pH and temperature Laboratory Bench Meter] (runs about $250 US) <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1058773210817559/?comment_id=1059095470785333&offset=0&total_comments=5&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R0%22%7D Conversation with Jonathan Newman from The Virginia Beer Company on Milk The Funk. 04/19/2015.]</ref>
* [http://www.denverinstrument.com/denverusa/electrochemistry/UltraBasic_benchtop_meters.php UltraBasic Benchtop Meters] (discontinued, but may find used at a good price) <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1058773210817559/?comment_id=1060334447328102&offset=0&total_comments=9&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R1%22%7D Conversation with Brandon Jones of Embrace The Funk on Milk The Funk. 04/21/2015.]</ref>.
* [https://www.coleparmer.com/i/oakton-ph-6-handheld-meter-with-atc-probe-order-ph-probe-separately/3561320?PubID=UX&persist=true&ip=no&gclid=COjPoKPfiNMCFUpNfgodxOsLRA Oakton pH 6+ Handheld Meter with ATC Probe <ref>[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IHYluAgIFvXYDHMO2WRYzwSSvNo8UtmT4hRYAA_DGpM/edit?usp=sharing Ryan Buxton. Milk The Funk Facebook group. 04/03/2017.]</ref>.]
* [https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/STARA1210 Orion™ Star A121] with an [https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/8156BNUWP Orion™ 8156BNUWP ROSS Ultra™], recommended by [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/2044032758958261/?comment_id=2044272178934319&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D Shawn Savuto] (does not include ATC in this probe).
===Budget pH Meters===
''Disadvantages'':
* Despite having an automatic calibration message, this pH meter still often needs to be calibrated before each brew day <ref name="ajdelange"></ref>.
* The buttons have been reported to be touchy by some.
* Poor instructions that come with the unit. Use [http://www.hach.com/asset-get.download.jsa?id=18952100085 the website manual] instead of the instructions that come with it.
====[http://www.milwaukeetestersmilwaukeeinstruments.com/MW102.html site/products/products/standardportable-meters/81-products-g-standard-portable-meters-g-mw102 Milwaukee MW102 pH/Temp Meter (updated/upgraded from SM101 and MW101)].====
[[File:MW102.jpg|thumb|Milwaukee MW102]]
''Features'':
* 0.02+/- accuracy.
* Automatic temperature compensation.
''Disadvantages'':
* This pH meter usually needs to be calibrated before each brew day.
* Probe replacements appear to be difficult to find. [http://www.eseasongear.com/miinmadojuph.html Here is one vendor]. eBay has been reported to be another option <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1065381353490078/?comment_id=1067202043308009&offset=0&total_comments=32&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R3%22%7D Conversation with PJ Dunn on MTF. 05/03/2015.]</ref>. [http://www.ebay.com/itm/161630172779?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Here is a seller] that PJ Dunn has had good results from, although he reported slow shipping.
* Probe has to be stored in [http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-MA9015-Storage-Solution-Electrodes/dp/B002P35Y6U Milwaukee MA9015 Storage Solution].
==Buffer Solution==
Buffer solution will be required to calibrate a pH meter, and generally has to be purchased separately from the pH meter itself. 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 [http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=ph+meter+calibration+solution&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=33870947755&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2358411058820273529&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_9h5a0pkyc9_b Amazon] or other retailers. Note that these buffer solutions do have expiration dates, and using expired calibration solutions can throw off pH meter readings.
==Testing the Probe==
The probes on pH meters generally have a limited life, depending on the quality of the unit. Milwakuee Instruments describes the following method for testing the life of the probe:
==External Articles==
* [http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=PH_Meter_Buying_Guide Kai Troester's Guide on Purchasing a pH Meter for Homebrewers.]
* [http://accidentalis.com/archives/828 Measuring Mash pH in Practice, Accidentalis Blog.]
* [https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=851663348222683&id=464551136933908 Bru'n Water on how to use a pH meter.]
* [http://embracethefunk.com/ph-readings-of-commercial-beers/ pH Readings of Commercial Beers, Embrace the Funk Blog, Brandon Jones.]
* [http://bitesizebio.com/8750/how-to-care-for-your-ph-meter/ How to Care for Your pH Meter; BitesizeBio.]
* [https://sites.google.com/site/brunwater/water-knowledge "Water Knowledge" by Martin Brungard.]
==References==