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Author Topic: Super cheap pH meter  (Read 7604 times)

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #15 on: March 10, 2015, 09:18:03 am »

That's odd. I have always heard (and every pH Meter I have ever owned) has recommended to store in distilled wAter or 7.01 solution....

My Thermoworks meter:


My Hanna meter:
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
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Offline denny

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #16 on: March 10, 2015, 09:22:59 am »
Like Ken, both of mine specifically say not to store in distilled water.
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Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #17 on: March 10, 2015, 09:24:58 am »
Like Ken, both of mine specifically say not to store in distilled water.

yeah storage solution is supposed to be best, but 4.01 solution is next best they say.  more acidic is apparently optimal.
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline majorvices

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #18 on: March 10, 2015, 09:37:04 am »
I can't find my current manual, but a generic online one says this

maintaining your pH meter
If you do not look after your pH meter then incorrect measurements of pH levels may occur. As a minimum, you must always wash the pH electrode (the measuring part of the instrument) in clean water. Do not touch the pH electrode unless using a damp tissue or cloth for cleaning and then only using extreme care.

 

When not in use, ensure the pH meter electrode is kept moist in either storage solution or a pH 4 solution. If the sensor is allowed to dry out completely, the instrument’s performance will be effected and its warranty invalidated.


I'm pretty certain the pH meter I have now and the I owned before this said 7.01 or distilled water. Both are bench top testers.

Now I'm trying to hunt down the manual but can't find it and wasn't online that I could find.

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #19 on: March 10, 2015, 09:39:48 am »
few concerns with this meter (may not apply to those not concerned with taking accurate and precise readings, and more than occasionally- whether it be mash, kettle, finished product readings):

- looks like single point calibration
- single digit resolution..5.4 reading could be 5.4X
- $8.39 is great price;curious how long it lasts and read accurate PH

I get how you'll be using it Eric, but not sure others relying on more precise  and consistent measurements will fare with this meter.
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #20 on: March 10, 2015, 09:41:59 am »
I can't find my current manual, but a generic online one says this

maintaining your pH meter
If you do not look after your pH meter then incorrect measurements of pH levels may occur. As a minimum, you must always wash the pH electrode (the measuring part of the instrument) in clean water. Do not touch the pH electrode unless using a damp tissue or cloth for cleaning and then only using extreme care.

 

When not in use, ensure the pH meter electrode is kept moist in either storage solution or a pH 4 solution. If the sensor is allowed to dry out completely, the instrument’s performance will be effected and its warranty invalidated.


I'm pretty certain the pH meter I have now and the I owned before this said 7.01 or distilled water. Both are bench top testers.

Now I'm trying to hunt down the manual but can't find it and wasn't online that I could find.

seems consistent with ours as mentioned. curious if one of our lab experts weighs in on why manufactures recommend the more acidic storage medium...i have no clue beyond the instructions.
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline homoeccentricus

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #21 on: March 10, 2015, 09:43:00 am »
That's odd. I have always heard (and every pH Meter I have ever owned) has recommended to store in distilled wAter or 7.01 solution....

Mine also says to store in tap water.
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Offline majorvices

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #22 on: March 10, 2015, 09:43:56 am »
This is a call out for Tom Schmidlin.

Offline homoeccentricus

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #23 on: March 10, 2015, 09:45:04 am »
I also bought one of those cheap pH meters on Amazon. Was unable to calibrate, so bought an expensive one in  an aquarium shop.

Is there a trick to calibrating those junk pH meters? If so I can give it away...
Frank P.

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Offline wobdee

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #24 on: March 10, 2015, 11:05:32 am »
Looks like the reviews on these chepo meters is pretty much hit or mis. I bought the $20 dollar one, I plan on using it just like the OP was stating.

Offline jeffy

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #25 on: March 10, 2015, 12:11:46 pm »
Jeff Gladish, Tampa (989.3, 175.1 Apparent Rennarian)
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Offline Phil_M

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #26 on: March 10, 2015, 12:58:39 pm »
My recent pH issue was measured with one of these. I'm rapidly losing confidence in it, though more frequent calibration and better storage (They recommended storing it dry...) may allow it to be enough to get my brewing to a point where I don't frequently measure pH.

But for the price, if I can make it work for a while it'll be worth it. What sort of lifespan are those with the more expensive units giving? The nice pH meters I've used in the past always seemed to die, but it's likely they were mishandled. (College chemistry lab equipment. IMO if you can't care for your tools you shouldn't be in college...but I digress..._
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Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #27 on: March 10, 2015, 01:18:34 pm »
My recent pH issue was measured with one of these. I'm rapidly losing confidence in it, though more frequent calibration and better storage (They recommended storing it dry...) may allow it to be enough to get my brewing to a point where I don't frequently measure pH.

But for the price, if I can make it work for a while it'll be worth it. What sort of lifespan are those with the more expensive units giving? The nice pH meters I've used in the past always seemed to die, but it's likely they were mishandled. (College chemistry lab equipment. IMO if you can't care for your tools you shouldn't be in college...but I digress..._

going on 3 years on one and 1.5 years another. the probe in higher ends ones is replaceable. dont know the lifespan average, but storage solution, cleaning with the cleaning solution, and not using it in hot wort should keep them working well.
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline mabrungard

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #28 on: March 10, 2015, 01:27:58 pm »
There is a lot of guidance on pH meters on the Bru'n Water facebook site https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brun-Water/464551136933908 that can help guide you through a purchase and management decision like this.

While I realize that a meter can be an expensive investment, I recommend that you remember that adage: penny-wise, pound-foolish. Almost certainly, a really cheap meter is not going to last as long as a higher quality meter. But another specter is the higher potential that a cheap, poorly calibrated meter is going to feed you garbage and cause you to make adjustments that are bad for your beer.

PS: I really like the Milwaukee MW-101 and 102 meters because they use a double-junction, gel-filled probe that sure has provided years of life for me. That probe should always be stored in a KCl solution, not DI water or calibration solutions.
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Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: Super cheap pH meter
« Reply #29 on: March 10, 2015, 01:56:51 pm »
There is a lot of guidance on pH meters on the Bru'n Water facebook site https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brun-Water/464551136933908 that can help guide you through a purchase and management decision like this.

While I realize that a meter can be an expensive investment, I recommend that you remember that adage: penny-wise, pound-foolish. Almost certainly, a really cheap meter is not going to last as long as a higher quality meter. But another specter is the higher potential that a cheap, poorly calibrated meter is going to feed you garbage and cause you to make adjustments that are bad for your beer.

PS: I really like the Milwaukee MW-101 and 102 meters because they use a double-junction, gel-filled probe that sure has provided years of life for me. That probe should always be stored in a KCl solution, not DI water or calibration solutions.

makes sense. i do use the storage solution, however curious why manufacturers would list using 4.0 calibration solution as the storage solution option then.
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest