PH meter recommendations, please.

FUBAR · Post by **FUBAR** » Thu Sep 15, 2016 10:53 pm

Yeah, a fantastic meter for the price, I normally brew once a fortnight and when I calibrate it the drift from true after the last use is minimal .

mbarn · Post by **mbarn** » Sun Oct 09, 2016 9:39 pm

First use today. I had bought buffer solution, but it only required small adjustments.
Was pleased first brew was just below 5.2 without additions.

Post by **f00b4r** » Sun Oct 16, 2016 8:47 am

I see that Kev mentions the probes last a fair while but how often do you need to calibrate the Voltcraft and roughly how many uses do you get out of the calibration solution that comes with it?

Kev888 · Post by **Kev888** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 11:58 am

In my case I tend to check with the calibration solutions monthly and calibrate if necessary. Initially it was necessary to tweak things perhaps three times per year, but the rate is slowly increasing so I guess the probe is ageing, although it still seems to settle quickly and repeatedly so believe that means it is still fine to use. I can't remember exactly how long I had the meter but its been a few years now. The number of uses affects probe lifetime, so it will vary person to person; I always measure cooled wort rather than hot (partly to avoid error from the temperature compensation and partly to be kinder to the probe) and rinse in RO or distilled water immediately afterwards.

I bought some solutions separately, I can't now recall which came with the meter. But the calibration/buffer solutions come as capsules of dry powder; a capsule is dissolved in distilled water in a (supplied) bottle at least three hours before first use. Mine are PH4 and PH7. They have a shelf life of 3-4 months once mixed as a solution. If you first rinse the probe in distilled water and shake it dry this will avoid unnecessary contamination of the solution from previous liquids, and with my use I feel they do last the four months.

The probe end has a small bottle that fits over it, which is filled with a storage solution to keep the probe's electrode in good condition. I also bought a bottle of this storage solution, but so far have only needed to top up the probe's bottle maybe twice; maybe I should replace it every so often but so far have just been topping it up. I also got a potion for rinsing off protein after having measured liquids (like wort) that contain this, I must admit to not having used that very often since I forgot it was in the back of the cupboard!

Post by **orlando** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 12:43 pm

Endorse most of what Kev says. I use mine 3 or 4 times on brew day and a couple of times each month. I always calibrate as it always drifts but not by much. I use the ready made up stuff as there is no "user error" issues, Ebay has it at very reasonable cost so I throw away after each use. I have some very small containers to put it into that the probe just fits in to, this way I use very little each time. Look after the probe: Always store in the correct solution, always use deionised water to wash anything off it you have dipped it into and dry on a piece of kitchen paper. Never put into hot mash liquour, apart from the potential damage, all pH measurements are at room temperature 20-25 or should be. Follow this and you can have a probe like mine that has lasted nearly 4 years so far. By the way, mine is a Voltcraft.

Post by **f00b4r** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 2:54 pm

Cheers for the detailed information. I think I will pick one up, just a shame they seem to have jumped in price.

ciderhead · Post by **ciderhead** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 5:57 pm

bubblehead wrote:Placed my order just after my 16:16 post yesterday and it's just arrived.

22 hours...........hmmm.

What kept 'em LOL.

Cheers,

Aleman

The reason they arrived so quick was they were replenishing stock as I organised for the NHC in Dublin a group buy of 26 of them

We also bought a spare probe as a just in case which was much cheaper than looking for it retrospectively.
They were coming in from Germany as they didn't have enough for our original order which may be the the probable reason for the price jump or they realised they have a run on them?
Very happy with it and used 5 times now and the drift is minimal so massive thanks to Aleman, (I'm sure they have a commission cheque in the post to you), for the original recommendation.

ciderhead · Post by **ciderhead** » Thu Oct 20, 2016 10:21 pm

Just to update one of our recipients works in a brewery and says it's standing up well against a professional product he uses and gives quicker results.

johnrm · Post by **johnrm** » Fri Oct 21, 2016 7:03 am

'lo CH!

Sent from my Samsung Note Sev... Fire! Fire!

ciderhead · Post by **ciderhead** » Fri Oct 21, 2016 11:26 pm

Matt in Birdham · Post by **Matt in Birdham** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:40 pm

f00b4r wrote:Cheers for the detailed information. I think I will pick one up, just a shame they seem to have jumped in price.

Yeah - shame! I was thinking of picking one up to replace my current one, but they are £48+VAT now, which is a big jump from £34 just two months ago..

shepp · Post by **shepp** » Thu Nov 24, 2016 12:31 am

Is it true that you can keep the calibration solution made up and in jars for up to 6 months?

I have a cheap yellow one and it appears to work well.

Kev888 · Post by **Kev888** » Thu Nov 24, 2016 10:09 pm

My powder capsule buffers say 3-4 months once mixed. But some of the ready-mixed/liquid ones say quite a bit longer.

Its possible the latter may be a better bet. I just recently mixed a powdered buffer that was a bit out (though I'm still not sure how, as there doesn't seem to be much to get wrong - provided you use the right amount of distilled water and don't lose any of the powder).

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