39 replies to this topic

[Buscotucky]

Electronic thermometer & a ph meter for me...reading up on my ph/water chemistry this morning. Tips appreciated!

 

Anyone else?

[zymot]

Looks like I am going to get a Hydra IM and/or a stainless steel HERMs coil. Mostly a gift from zymot to zymot.

[HVB]

Nope... Sigh. What pH meter did you get?

[Buscotucky]

This one :

 

https://drmeter.com/...s/ph100-phmeter

 

It's pretty basic. lol

[HVB]

This one :

https://drmeter.com/...s/ph100-phmeter

It's pretty basic. lol

Looks similar to the Omega PHH-7011 that Prempton and I have. Should be all you need.

[Buscotucky]

Looks similar to the Omega PHH-7011 that Prempton and I have. Should be all you need.

Cool. Do you use it just to test the mash? Or do you test the wort during boil/fermentation/post fermentation?

 

Looks like I am going to get a Hydra IM and/or a stainless steel HERMs coil. Mostly a gift from zymot to zymot.

At least you know you're getting what you want!

[HVB]

Cool. Do you use it just to test the mash? Or do you test the wort during boil/fermentation/post fermentation?

At least you know you're getting what you want!

Mash. Pre and post boil and packaging. Fun to take a pH reading before a big dry hop and then a day after. The dryhop will increase the pH.

[zymot]

I want a pH meter, but I do not know which one to get. I guess I get scared off over the test probes can have finicky maintenance requirements. (at least finicky compared to the multimeter and scope probes I ambushed to) I would probably give up some accuracy as a trade off for durability, robust and simple calibration procedures.

[HVB]

I want a pH meter, but I do not know which one to get. I guess I get scared off over the test probes can have finicky maintenance requirements. (at least finicky compared to the multimeter and scope probes I ambushed to) I would probably give up some accuracy as a trade off for durability, robust and simple calibration procedures.

Omega PHH-7011

[Big Nake]

Omega PHH-7011

This.

 

Also, Busco, if you don't have a lot of info on your brewing water, try to send a sample to Ward Labs and have a "household water W6" test done so you know what's in it.  They'll email you the results.  Then you can post the results so we can see calcium, chloride, sulfate, magnesium, sodium, bicarbonate, etc.  Which thermo did you get?  A good thermo and a good pH meter and you've got some great tools in your toolbox. 

[LeftyMPfrmDE]

I saved up during the year, and got some gear during the holiday shopping season (if it was stuff I wanna buy, might as well take advantage of the sales).

Ended up getting 2 anvil 7.5 gallon stainless steel fermenter buckets (which are pretty sweet), a new refractometer(a nice one, mostly for monitoring mash gravities) and some hardware for the electric conversion site glasses,whirlpool arms, bulkheads, relays, contactors, etc.

Edited by LeftyMPfrmDE, 26 December 2019 - 02:28 AM.

[zymot]

I sprung for a JaDeD Hydra. I inherited a bank account that the wife cannot see the activity. So I am sneaking some brewery upgrades past the financial goalie.

 

I admit that there is a plate chiller on Duda Diesel that I found very tempting. (about $106.00) The specs make it like an attractive choice, plus it is more techy.

 

next up: a HERMS coil.

[Bklmt2000]

The only brew gift/toy I want is more time to brew.

[LeftyMPfrmDE]

I sprung for a JaDeD Hydra. I inherited a bank account that the wife cannot see the activity. So I am sneaking some brewery upgrades past the financial goalie.

I admit that there is a plate chiller on Duda Diesel that I found very tempting. (about $106.00) The specs make it like an attractive choice, plus it is more techy.

next up: a HERMS coil.

Santa brought one of those to me last Christmas. Great Chiller.

[HVB]

I sprung for a JaDeD Hydra. I inherited a bank account that the wife cannot see the activity. So I am sneaking some brewery upgrades past the financial goalie.

I admit that there is a plate chiller on Duda Diesel that I found very tempting. (about $106.00) The specs make it like an attractive choice, plus it is more techy.

next up: a HERMS coil.

After trying several plate chillers I am over them.

[positiveContact]

what is the fastest chilling method these days?  still CFC?

[shaggaroo]

I got a Tilt Hydrometer... total toy I know, but hey the MIL wanted to buy it for me, soooo...

[zymot]

There are many variables in play. Some of which are real world limitations.

I do not think any one is perfect, theoretically or in practice.

The problem becomes: which method allows you to push the most cold fluid past/through your hot wort. Then you have to throw convenience, ease of execution, maintenance, sanitation, cost and other practical issues into the final selection. In promotion or criticism of any one method you can always have a counter a "yeah but. . . ."

They all have their plus and minus. IM are by far the most maintenance trouble free. CFC and plate chillers have potential cleaning issues.

I am going to say, if you discount ease of use and maintenance or sanitation issues, I would go with plate chiller as the optimum chiller. From simplicity standpoint and less prone to misadventure, IM rule.

[denny]

Electronic thermometer & a ph meter for me...reading up on my ph/water chemistry this morning. Tips appreciated!

 

Anyone else?

 

for water chemistry, go the the Bru'nwater website and read the water knowledge page.  It has all the info you need in an understandable way.

what is the fastest chilling method these days?  still CFC?

 

Jaded Hydra.  Just as fast and much less maintenance hassle

I sprung for a JaDeD Hydra. I inherited a bank account that the wife cannot see the activity. So I am sneaking some brewery upgrades past the financial goalie.

 

I admit that there is a plate chiller on Duda Diesel that I found very tempting. (about $106.00) The specs make it like an attractive choice, plus it is more techy.

 

next up: a HERMS coil.

and a huge PITA to keep clean.  I got rid of both plate and CFC chillers in favor of the Hydra

[HVB]

I never understood where a CFC has much maintenance. I need to rinse and IM or I pump out a CFC after use. Both will use the same recycled cooling water so I see no advantage to the IM there. IMs also do not work well with electric elements IME so I think the decision is really system based. Just my nickle...