Category Archives: pH

Apera Instruments PH-60 Waterproof pH Meter – $71.78 w/instant coupon

Apera Instruments AI311 PH60 Premium Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, Replaceable Probe, ±0.01 pH Accuracy, -2.00-16.00 pH Range

Apera PH60 Premium Waterproof pH Meter.  Reads -2 to 16 pH Range.  Accuracy .001 pH.

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • Accuracy: 0.01 pH; range: -2.00 to 16.00 pH, 32 to 122˚F (0 to 50˚C)
  • Easy 1-3 points auto. calibration, recognizes 5 types of solutions (1.68, 4.00, 7.00, 10.01, 12.46); Auto Temp. Compensation (ATC) ensures accuracy in various temperatures (32-122˚F)
  • High quality replaceable glass pH probe, suitable for regular water solutions e.g. pools&spas, hydroponics, environmental monitoring, cooling towers, beverage, etc.
  • Large LCD with 3 backlit colors (indicating different modes), dual display of temp./pH, and reminders of completed calibrations and stable readings
  • The smiley icon indicates stable readings so you won’t have to guess when is the right time to record the measurements
  • COMPLETE KIT with READY-TO-USE calibration solutions, calibration bottles, storage solutions, AAA batteries, and a lanyard all in a rugged portable case

You can use a pH meter to check the pH of your water, mash, [test Star San effectiveness] and finished beer.

10/12/18 1:30 PM Central: This is selling for $79.75.  Check “Save an extra 10% when you apply this coupon” and the price drops to $71.78.  Shipping is also free to many US addresses. Prices, shipping and availability can change quickly. Please note that product prices and availability are subject to change. Prices and availability were accurate at the time this this post was published; however, they may differ from those you see when you visit Amazon. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.

Apera Instruments PH60 Premium Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, Replaceable Probe, ±0.01 pH Accuracy, -2.00-16.00 pH Range


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100 x Micro Essential Labs Hydrion Pro Ph Strips (Ph 0.0 To 6.0) + What’s the Shelf Life of Star San?

Micro Essential Labs Hydrion Pro Ph Strips (Ph 0.0 To 6.0) Item 9200 100 Strips

Micro Essential Labs Hydrion Pro Ph Strips (Ph 0.0 To 6.0) Item 9200 100 Strips

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • Conveniently packed in flip-top vials, these premium quality, wide-range plastic strips offer clear, bright single color matches at every 0.5 interval from pH 0.0-6.0.
  • The color chart has pH matches at [0.0][0.5][1.0][1.5][2.0][2.5][3.0][3.5][4.0][4.5][5.0][5.5][6.0]
  • Each vial contains 100 strips Dip the strip into the test solution, then instantly compare the resulting color with the matching pH color chart.

pH range: 0.0 to 6.0; sensitivity: 0.5. Plastic pH strips indicate pH with unique colors for exact matches of pH. Colors align easily for matching. Flexible, easy-to-handle plastic strips are more durable than paper strips if needed for later reference. Conveniently packaged in flip-top vial of 100 strips.

I find these particularly useful for testing diluted Star San mixture.  See: What’s the Shelf Life of Star San? – Testing Star San’s Effectiveness

Micro Essential Labs Hydrion Pro Ph Strips (Ph 0.0 To 6.0) Item 9200 100 Strips


Also: Star San Tips, Tricks and Guidelines

More: Recent Amazon Finds


pH Meter & TDS Meter Combo

Molop Digital PH Meter TDS Meter, Water Quality Tester, Auto Calibration

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • Ease of Use:TDS meter will lock the measure result when you press the “HOLD”button and automatically turn off after several minutes of non-use. PH meter has auto calibration function and you can quickly get readout
  • Accurate and Reliable: PH resolution is 0.01pH,accuracy ±0.01pH.TDS meter rangs 0~9999ppm,Conductivity 0~9999 us/cm,accuracy ±2%. TDS 0~9999ppm
  • Lasted Design:The TDS meter and PH meter are portable to carry to anywhere. with the handhold size, you can read it easily while use them
  • Wide Range Application: Extensive use in many places, such as swimming pools,drinking water, aquariums; Very good for water filters, food and drink quality monitoring
  • Package Includes: Comes with PH meter x 1, TDS EC temperature meter x 1, carrying case x 2, buffer powder x 3

Use the pH meter to check the pH of your water, mash, [test Star San effectiveness] and finished beer.  The TDS meter could come in handy for checking your RO filter [See: Review – Portable Reverse Osmosis Water System] or for checking purchased distilled or RO water.  Some water processors add minerals back for flavor.  A TDS meter will allow you to make sure you’re getting what you want.

Molop Digital PH Meter TDS Meter, Water Quality Tester, Auto Calibration, Ideal kit Aquarium, Swimming Pool, Drinking Water


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Beverage Doctor pH Meter – $44.99, Save $5 via William’s Brewing

Beverage Doctor pH Meter via William’s Brewing

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

A quality, water resistant pH meter with triple point calibration, affordable replaceable electrode, automatic temperature compensation, and a water proof cap with a unique sponge storage solution retainer.

Digital Triple Point Calibration

Most pH meters only have single or double point calibration. This means they can only be calibrated at 4.0 and 7.0 pH. This meter has triple point calibration, which means it can also be calibrated at 5.5 pH for greater midrange accuracy. No manual calibration -just put the PH meter into the buffer solution that comes with it andthen hit the calibration button.

Affordable Replaceable Electrode

Home brewing puts a lot of stress on the electrode, and electrodes only last for a few years. Especially if you are testing hot wort directly from your mash tun. If you know anything about PH meters you will know that the electrodes are not difficult to damage in a brewing environment and have a tendency to fail over time. Why spend all this money on a good quality pH meter if you can’t replace the electrode? Unlike other units, the replacement electrode does not cost almost as much as the meter.

Includes Calibrating Buffer Solution

This includes 3 packs dry concentrate buffer solution, for calibrating at 4.0 pH, 6.86 pH, and 9.18 pH. Just add deionized or distilled water and store in a glass jar and the solution will last 3 months. We also recommend you purchase Storage Solution (not included, you will be given a chance to buy this when you put this in your cart).

Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC)

Any good quality PH meter you get will include ATC. This additional feature means the probe needs to have a small temp probe at the end so it can compensate for high or low temperatures. Lets face it, you are not going to wait for your wort sample to cool down to 68° F.

Water Proof Cap

The main reason why PH meters fail over time is because the electrode dries out. If your PH meter is left with a dry probe the storage solution evaporates through the glass membrane. Unlike most meters, the cap on this meter has an o-ring and is water tight. In addition, it has a small sponge on the bottom to hold Storage Solution. To keep your electrode in best possible solution we recommend you clean with water then store in Storage Solution inside the cap . This will keep your readings accurate for several years.

As of this posting, William’s has this on sale for $44.99. Price, promotions and availability can change quickly.  Please note that product prices and availability are subject to change. Prices and availability were accurate at the time this this post was published; however, they may differ from those you see when you visit the product page.  Check the product page for current price, description and availability

Beverage Doctor pH Meter

Update: This promo has expired or pricing, availability or description has changed – Check the supplier’s site or product page for current availability

Recent Deals!  Last Fifty Finds

Visit William’s Brewing – Web Only Clearance Sale

More: Recent William’s Brewing Finds

100 EMD ColorpHast Precision pH Strips – $24.99, w/Comparison & Tip

COLORPHAST PH STRIPS 4-7 - 100 PACK

EMD colorpHast 4 -7 precision pH strips.  These are more accurate and easier to read than most pH test strips.  Use these to check the pH of your mash and of your finished beer.  These offer the same advantages of a pH meter [See: pH tag for past meters] without the cost and maintenance that goes along with a meter.

Tip… Cut these in half the long way.  You’ve saved 50% and they are still easy to read.

As of this posting, these are selling for $24.99 for a 100 pack. Compare: at MoreBeer. Price and availability can change quickly.  Check the product page for up to the minute price and availability.

COLORPHAST PH STRIPS 4-7 – 100 PACK – $24.99 – 12.5 cents per strip when you cut them in half

Also:  All Grain Tips & Gear

More: Recent Great Deals

prod:bhcolorphast

Update: What’s the Shelf Life of Star San? – Testing Star San’s Effectiveness – new info regarding clarity

cln_img_0525

Star San is my sanitizer of choice.  It’s food safe and no rinse.  Required contact time is one minute.  It has worked very well for me for quite some time and I’m convinced that it’s one of the most economical solutions available if you use the spray bottle method [See: Star San Tips, Tricks and Guidelines]

What’s the Shelf Life of Star San?

With regards to mixed Star San Solution: The official answer is probably… you should mix a fresh batch each time you use it.  To really test the effectiveness, you need to titrate the solution and test the PPM.

Practically speaking, many homebrewers use and re-use Star San.  If you’re going to do that, the solution should be relatively clear and the mixture should have a pH of under 3.5.  Previously the recommendation I received from Five Star Chemicals was that the solution should by crystal clear, however, for bottles of Star San not older than 1 year (check the manufacture date on the bottle) crystal clarity isn’t necessarily a requirement.

From “Better Safe Than Sorry” Department: If you doubt a mixture it’s better to be safe, dump it and make a fresh batch

More About Clarity

Years ago, I received this information from Five Star Chemicals:  “The cloudy solution could be okay, but it could be bad. The cloudiness is the surfactant coming out of solution. It has reacted, or is reacting with the metals in the water. I don’t know if it is still good, because I don’t know how much surfactant has reacted. I error on the side of caution and suggest that you don’t even mess with it. Use DI water.”

Previously testing the effectiveness of diluted Star San involved two things… Crystal clear solution and pH under 3.5.

As of this update on 9/2018, clarity is not considered an issue – via Emily Lovato at Five Star Chemicals

My personal opinion (not official) is that crystal clear Star San is preferable to cloudy Star San.  If you have hard water and your diluted Star San mixture immediately turns cloudy, and you want it to be clear, you can use RO or distilled water.

 

With regards to Star San concentrate: Five Star Chemicals recommends replacing bottles of Star San concentrate that are over 2 years old.  – via Emily Lovato at Five Star Chemicals.

What size to buy?  Because of the 1 or 2 year freshness recommendation via Five Star, my recommendation to most homebrewers is to purchase the smaller 8 oz bottle of Star San.  If you’re using the spray bottle method [See: Star San Tips, Tricks and Guidelines] 8 ounces of Star San should last many homebrewers for at least a year.  My reasoning on the 8 oz recommendation is… why buy a larger bottle that you won’t be able to get through before it needs to be replaced?  There’s a calculator in my tips post to help you estimate your usage.

Testing pH of your diluted Star San Mixture…

Testing pH question involves using either a pH meter or strips.  The pH meter option is straightforward [See: Amazon’s Best Sellers in Lab pH Meters].  pH Meters can be costly and do require calibration, maintenance and, eventually, replacement.  Because of that, I wanted to find pH strips that work well for this task.  I ended up trying a few different styles and manufacturers before finding strips that I think work well.

cln_img_0509I settled on Hydrion Pro 9200 (0.0 to 6) pH Indicator Strips – via Amazon

Continue reading →

General Hydroponics pH 7 Reference and Calibration Solution – $4.77 + free prime ship

General Hydroponics Ph 7.0 Calibration Solution - 8 Ounces, 1 bottle

General Hydroponics Ph 7.0 Calibration Solution – 8 Ounces

Use as a reference solution to see if your meter is reading correctly and a calibration solution for compatible meters.

9/22/18 2 AM Central: This is selling for just $4.77.  That’s a 37% discount from list. Shipping is also free to many US addresses with Prime Membership [Try Prime for Free] or a qualifying order. Prices, shipping and availability can change quickly. Please note that product prices and availability are subject to change. Prices and availability were accurate at the time this this post was published; however, they may differ from those you see when you visit Amazon. Check the product page for current price, description and availability. Also: Recent Amazon Finds and Amazon Fillers Resource Page

General Hydroponics Ph 7.0 Calibration Solution – 8 Ounces, 1 bottle


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Digital pH Meter + 6 pH Buffer Powders – $11.77

HealthyWiser Digital pH Meter + Free Extra Set of pH buffer powder, pH Pen Tests Water, Aquarium, Pool, Hydroponics, Auto Calibration Button, with ATC, 0.00-14.00 pH Measurement Range, Purple

Digital pH Meter.  Auto calibration button.  ATC.  0.00-14.00 pH Measurement Range.  + Includes pH buffer powder.

You can use a pH meter to check the pH of your water, mash, [test Star San effectiveness] and finished beer.

9/13/18 4 PM Central: This has dropped to $11.77. That’s the best historical third party Amazon price I found (not withstanding Lightning deals and coupons – I don’t track those). Shipping is also free to many US addresses with Prime Membership [Try Prime for Free] or a qualifying order. Prices, shipping and availability can change quickly. Please note that product prices and availability are subject to change. Prices and availability were accurate at the time this this post was published; however, they may differ from those you see when you visit Amazon. Check the product page for current price, description and availability. Also: Recent Amazon Finds and Amazon Fillers Resource Page

Digital pH Meter – Pocket SIZE – pH Pen Tests Household Drinking Water, Aquarium, Swimming Pools, Hydroponics, Water Quality, with ATC, 0-14 pH Measuring Range with 6x pH Buffer Powders. Purple


Also: All Grain Tips & Gear | 10 Gallon Mash Tun Conversion Kit [Review] | Cereal Killer Grain MIll |  Batch Sparge Spreadsheet | BIAB Brew Day Spreadsheet | The Brew Bag – Purpose Made BIAB

More: Recent Amazon Finds

100 x LabRat pH Strips 0-14 pH, .5 pH Intervals – $6.24 + free prime ship

pH Test Strips, Universal Application (pH 0.0-14.0, 0.5 pH Intervals), 100 Strips

pH Test Strips, Universal Application (pH 0.0-14.0, 0.5 pH Intervals), 100 Strips

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • Sold as One Case of 100 Plastic pH Strips
  • pH 0.0-14.0 Full Range Test Strips
  • pH Color Chart Intervals: 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0, 10.5, 11.0, 11.5, 12.0, 12.5, 13.0, 13.5, 14.0
  • Laboratory and Diagnostic grade pH test strips
  • Case includes color chart for quick and accurate testing

9/4/18 10 AM Central: These are available again at $6.24. Shipping to most US addresses is also free with Prime Membership [Try Prime for Free] or a qualifying order. Prices, shipping and availability can change quickly. Please note that product prices and availability are subject to change. Prices and availability were accurate at the time this this post was published; however, they may differ from those you see when you visit Amazon. Check the product page for current price, description and availability. Also: Recent Amazon Finds and Amazon Fillers Resource Page

pH Test Strips, Universal Application (pH 0.0-14.0, 0.5 pH Intervals), 100 Strips


More: Recent Amazon Finds


Apera Instruments PHB-3 Waterproof pH Meter

Apera Instruments PHB-3 Economic Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, ±0.1 pH Accuracy, 0-14.0 pH Range

Apera Instruments PHB-3 Economic Waterproof pH Pocket Tester. ±0.1 pH Accuracy. 0-14.0 pH Range. Auto calibration feature.  ATC, automatic temperature compensation, 0 to 50 deg C.  Auto power off to save batteries. Lower battery alarm.  Uses AAA batteries.  Includes calibration solution and carrying case.

I like that this is waterproof and that it uses (easy to find) AAA Batteries.  Search AmazonBasics Batteries

You can use a pH meter to check the pH of your water, mash, [test Star San effectiveness] and finished beer.

Apera Instruments PHB-3 Economic Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, ±0.1 pH Accuracy, 0-14.0 pH Range


More: Recent Amazon Finds