Anybody incorporate a PH probe in your system?

[kaikoasurf]

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Has anyone incorporated a ph probe in the system?

[iowabrewer]

I would rather see a oxygen port and dissolved oxygen sensor installed (http://www.globalw.com/products/wq401.html). Just a thought...

[kal]

Hi guys!

I looked into incorporating a pH meter/probe directly into my control panel when I first designed it. This would be something that would be hard wired right into the plumbing. The idea was that it would have been pretty darned cool to see the pH of the sweet wort coming out of the mash tun continually. (I have to admit the 'wow' factor is pretty high on this).

After thinking about it for some time, it didn't make any sense because:

(a) You don't need to measure pH continually. It only needs to be done in intervals (if at all).
(b) Once you know your water and you've brewed a certain recipe once, you don't really need to measure pH when you brew subsequent batches. You'll know what to expect. No having to measure saves time.
(c) The probes by nature wear out as you use them - it's how they work. The electrode deteriorates. So therefore they shouldn't be left in solution continuously. Having one in line with wort/water/etc would turn out to be fairly expensive for no reason as you'd be replacing the probes fairly often.
(d) Panel mount pH meters (DIN sized) are really expensive. You can find them on eBay for cheap sometimes but the probes, forget about it... you'll have to buy new ones most likely.

So instead, I use this meter: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/Hanna-Phep-5-pH-meter-model-HI-98128

It's waterproof which (IMHO) really saves time and makes for something that you don't have to be careful with.

I use it to know how much acid to use in my sparge water, take samples of wort throughout my sparge, and so on.
The complete steps I do will be documented in the upcoming "how to use your brewery" section on the main site. Been busy getting other stuff online, like this forum!

EDIT: It's now online as the BREW DAY STEP BY STEP here: www.theelectricbrewery.com/brew-day-step-by-step

Kal

[kal]

Hi guys!

I looked into incorporating a pH meter/probe directly into my control panel when I first designed it. This would be something that would be hard wired right into the plumbing. The idea was that it would have been pretty darned cool to see the pH of the sweet wort coming out of the mash tun continually. (I have to admit the 'wow' factor is pretty high on this).

After thinking about it for some time, it didn't make any sense because:

(a) You don't need to measure pH continually. It only needs to be done in intervals (if at all).
(b) Once you know your water and you've brewed a certain recipe once, you don't really need to measure pH when you brew subsequent batches. You'll know what to expect. No having to measure saves time.
(c) The probes by nature wear out as you use them - it's how they work. The electrode deteriorates. So therefore they shouldn't be left in solution continuously. Having one in line with wort/water/etc would turn out to be fairly expensive for no reason as you'd be replacing the probes fairly often.
(d) Panel mount pH meters (DIN sized) are really expensive. You can find them on eBay for cheap sometimes but the probes, forget about it... you'll have to buy new ones most likely.

So instead, I use this meter: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/Hanna-Phep-5-pH-meter-model-HI-98128

It's waterproof which (IMHO) really saves time and makes for something that you don't have to be careful with.

I use it to know how much acid to use in my sparge water, take samples of wort throughout my sparge, and so on.
The complete steps I do will be documented in the upcoming "how to use your brewery" section on the main site. Been busy getting other stuff online, like this forum!

EDIT: It's now online as the BREW DAY STEP BY STEP here: www.theelectricbrewery.com/brew-day-step-by-step

Kal