Bicarbonate HC03

[McMullan]

More! More! More! Don't feel like you're 'labouring it' because you're totally taking the piss

[Silver_Is_Money]

The same mechanism that will dissolve chalk in the mash no doubt? (Hence, add chalk to the mash not the water - like slaked lime though the reasons may be a little different).

What harm is there in adding Ca(OH)2 to DI, distilled, or RO mash water pre doughing in for the mash, and to which minerals such as calcium or magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, or NaCl have also been added?

[PeeBee]

… What harm is there in adding Ca(OH)2 to DI, distilled, or RO mash water pre doughing in for the mash, and to which minerals such as calcium or magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, or NaCl have also been added?

Ah, you think I'm talking about water! The equation is:

PeeBee + (mention of slaked lime) = (good excuse to prove him wrong and have entertaining row)

So I avoid the "harm" by trying not to be controversial. A good line when being "controversial" (I think sensible) about "chalk".

Actually though, I have got into the habit of adding lime only to the mash grain and not the water, but as my tap water is <100ppm solids it's near enough "DI, distilled, or RO mash water" anyway so perhaps I should stop it.

[PeeBee]

I will try and keep this simple. …

Thanks very much. That certainly helps fill some gaps.

But I can still grumble about "As CaCO3". Though the customers reading these reports with the old arcane (and confusing!) descriptors to modify their water for brewing beer is perhaps too small a sample of the population to be worried about.

[McMullan]

I will try and keep this simple... A comprehensive guide for brewers- ISBN 978-0-937381-99-1. The best £14 you can spend on brewing.

Obviously you actually typed that and stuck it in the wrong place, for some ‘reason’ best kept to yourself, not only hijacking an otherwise very useful thread. What a vandal!

Your knowledge is clearly restricted by grossly simplistic textbook models. Textbooks, of course, are written to test students (of all abilities) to get through exams, not problem-solve in the real world. The real world being a bit more complicated generally. A common mistake expressed by academically-challenged online ‘experts’ lost trying to join up dots.

I challenge you to get in a real chemist who has a broader understanding of chemistry in the world around him or her. One who realises the moment grains are mashed in we’re actually dealing with a medium considerably more complicated than water.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with using chalk in the mash, if it has a beneficial effect, which it does, depending on your water profile and recipe. Any opinions suggesting otherwise are little more than expressions of bias.

[PeeBee]

Ahh, it's so pleasant not having to be irritated by annoying post's …

Capture-iv.JPG (11.56 KiB) Viewed 7130 times

No good, I'm bored, I'll have to take a peek …

What's this! My favourite "Norwegian Troll" has switched its attention on to someone else! ("Norwegian Troll" is meant to be a windup; not the "troll" bit, that will have no effect what so ever). Now, now, at this time of year I've got to be nice:

Happy Christmas! (To trolls and every one).

[McMullan]

[PeeBee]

You know, I really, really resent this …

This stuff comes in smaller and smaller bottles. I'm off to fetch another one …