Edited by KenLenard, 12 January 2013 - 12:44 PM.
Interesting information about ColorpHast strips...
#1
Posted 12 January 2013 - 12:42 PM
#2
Posted 12 January 2013 - 01:33 PM
#3
Posted 12 January 2013 - 01:41 PM
I wouldn't have posted it otherwise. In Martin we trust.My only thought is that if Martin says it, I believe it.
#4
Posted 12 January 2013 - 02:32 PM
my strips ( adifferent brand) instruct 1 minute of immersionI wouldn't have posted it otherwise. In Martin we trust.
#5
Posted 12 January 2013 - 06:30 PM
#6
Posted 12 January 2013 - 09:49 PM
Interesting. What I have seen is this... one dip for a couple seconds and maybe a high pH. So maybe ½ ml of lactic acid, stir, measure again with a quick 1-2 second dip of another ColorpHast strip. You can clearly see that the second strip is "lighter" showing a lower pH. This is not scientific, clearly but they do seem to work & show consistent results on a quick dip.I've used colorpHast strips for probably 20 years or more and I believe the instructions have always said that they should be immersed for a minute or more. I was concerned about this, so I tested a few immersion times from ~10 seconds to ~2 minutes. I did this in the lab with a range of inorganic buffers from pH 5.0-6.0, comparing the results to a high quality, fully calibrated pH meter, then I repeated it on two different brew days with a pale and a dark wort and I measured identical pH no matter how long I submerged the strip.I decided that I wouldn't worry about how long I submerged the strips, though I do count to 10 for good luck. I'd be curious to hear other brewers' results from any similar test.
#7
Posted 13 January 2013 - 06:45 AM
#8
Posted 13 January 2013 - 07:02 AM
I do about 30 seconds. I just let it sit there while I take temp readings at various locations in the cooler. Since I always seem to hit my target pH I figure they are working.I've used colorpHast strips for probably 20 years or more and I believe the instructions have always said that they should be immersed for a minute or more. I was concerned about this, so I tested a few immersion times from ~10 seconds to ~2 minutes. I did this in the lab with a range of inorganic buffers from pH 5.0-6.0, comparing the results to a high quality, fully calibrated pH meter, then I repeated it on two different brew days with a pale and a dark wort and I measured identical pH no matter how long I submerged the strip.I decided that I wouldn't worry about how long I submerged the strips, though I do count to 10 for good luck. I'd be curious to hear other brewers' results from any similar test.
Edited by StudsTerkel, 13 January 2013 - 07:02 AM.
#9
Posted 13 January 2013 - 09:47 AM
#10
Posted 13 January 2013 - 09:54 AM
Also true. On the version of the strips that go from 4 to 7, there is a pretty good key that goes in increments of .3 and comparing them is pretty easy. But I would agree that it comes down to the brewer's estimation and ability to determine where the pH falls according to the color. When I got into a heavy conversation about strips vs. meters (where quite a few people said that ALL of the strips are unreliable), many, many good brewers said that for our purposes, good strips (like ColorpHast) are all that you need. When I was peeved about my ability to accurately measure mash pH and thought about getting a meter, many of those people said that getting a meter was fine but just not necessary to determine the pH of a mash. I have a relatively new box of ColorpHast strips and will contibue to use them. Next time I'll do a "longer dip". Cheers.I have to wonder the how important time is in creating an accurate color against how accurate we are at comparing the strip to the color chart.Maybe the exact perfect and correct period of time (what that turns out to be) will produce a more accurate color, but you still hold the strip up against a handful of color squares and say, "Yep, it looks like it is between 5 and 6."
Edited by KenLenard, 13 January 2013 - 09:54 AM.
#11
Posted 13 January 2013 - 10:46 AM
#12
Posted 17 January 2013 - 06:27 AM
#13
Posted 17 January 2013 - 07:01 AM
#14
Posted 17 January 2013 - 07:06 AM
I'm going to be keeping an eye on this. Over the past few years I have been using ColorpHast strips and have gotten to know where a lot of my beers come in as far as pH is concerned. What I expected on this Blonde Ale was a pH that showed that I was very close and just needed a few drops of lactic acid in the mash. It was quite a bit higher than that. If that trend continues through the next 10 batches or whatever, I will assume that I have been mashing & boiling at a pH that is higher than ideal. It's always something.yeah - I think more than 1 second is required. I don't know the minimum but 10 seconds is probably fine as well.
#15
Posted 17 January 2013 - 07:58 AM
#16
Posted 17 January 2013 - 08:33 AM
#17
Posted 17 January 2013 - 10:40 AM
#18
Posted 17 January 2013 - 11:41 AM
it is a little bit but it's always nice to post it for those that missed it.do you have to keep straight in your head what board specific terms to use? I would guess if you said helicats anywhere else people would have no idea what you are talking about.This may be helicats, but you can double the usage of ColorpHast strips by cutting them in half lengthwise.
#19
Posted 17 January 2013 - 12:02 PM
This is pretty much the only board of all the ones I frequent that has its own lexicon...one of the reasons I love this place! I have occasionally used memes from one board on another and had them picked up there. One that I'd like to see used more frequently is "dickchimp"....got that from Rat Chat and it deserves to be everywhere!it is a little bit but it's always nice to post it for those that missed it.do you have to keep straight in your head what board specific terms to use? I would guess if you said helicats anywhere else people would have no idea what you are talking about.
Edited by denny, 17 January 2013 - 12:02 PM.
#20
Posted 17 January 2013 - 12:52 PM
You got it... StudsTerkel, stop being a dickchimp!Happy now Denny?This is pretty much the only board of all the ones I frequent that has its own lexicon...one of the reasons I love this place! I have occasionally used memes from one board on another and had them picked up there. One that I'd like to see used more frequently is "dickchimp"....got that from Rat Chat and it deserves to be everywhere!
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