Is this pH meter good enough for brewing?

[WayFrae]

I saw this pH meter on HomeBrewFinds so I thought I would ask if anyone has it or knows if it is good enough for brewing? pH Meter From Amazon

 

[esahlong]

Here's a list of recommended meters:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f128/best-ph-meter-my-needs-recommendations-515886/#post6690532

You can certainly use that meter but it may not last very long or give very precise readings.

 

[WWJPD]

I've been using that one for my last few brews including a sour-wort Berliner. I had to calibrate it initially with the control solution it came with, but it seems like it's pretty good so far.

 

[ajdelange]

No. It has insufficient resolution, lacks ATC, is analogue and is only capable of 1 point calibration. Doesn't common sense tell us that we aren't going to get anything we can use for $12?

 

[WayFrae]

No. It has insufficient resolution, lacks ATC, is analogue and is only capable of 1 point calibration. Doesn't common sense tell us that we aren't going to get anything we can use for $12?

Yeah it does haha! I just thought that since homebrew finds listed it that it might be good enough. I might just have to bite the bullet and get the Milwaukee that I have had my eye on. Thanks AJ!

 

[Nagorg]

Any thoughts on this one?

Etekcity® 0.05pH High Accuracy Pocket Size pH Meter with ATC and Backlit LCD, 0-14 pH Measurement Range, 0.01pH Resolution Handheld pH pen tester

 

[ajdelange]

What does your common sense tell you?

 

[Nagorg]

What does your common sense tell you?

That it's twice as good as the sucky one? 😆

 

[stpug]

That it's twice as good as the sucky one? 😆

... excellent answer

 

[stever1000]

Any thoughts on this one?

Etekcity® 0.05pH High Accuracy Pocket Size pH Meter with ATC and Backlit LCD, 0-14 pH Measurement Range, 0.01pH Resolution Handheld pH pen tester

It has 4 stars on amazon with over 200 reviews... so tempting for the price

 

[ajdelange]

It has specified accuracy of ±0.05 pH. As all pH meters are accurate to their precision right after calibration that means this meter is unstable. Based on this I would say answer that no, it is not suitable for brewing.

Or, in terms of the discussions here, it sucks but only half as badly as the really cheap one.

 

[Maylar]

I have one of those. It's a POS. The numbers bounce around and no matter how much you swirl the thing it won't give a stable reading. I just bought a Milwaukee 102 to take its place.

 

[Morrey]

Funny story. I bought this exact ph meter. Surprisingly it could "get you by" considering the low cost as I compared the reading to my buddies nicer meter. HOWEVER, it fritzed out on me just a day or so after Amazon's grace period for returns. I made a post on Amazon saying wouldn't you know the meter would die a day after the warranty expired. So...I get this email from the company saying they would send me a new unit if I would edit my review. Ok, so I did, and they sent me a new meter. I was honest saying the meter died but the company made good on the problem.

I have not even taken the meter out of the box since in the meantime I bought a Hach Pocket Pro+. I REALLY like it albeit that unit costs around $120 plus shipping

In summary, the meter you are asking about may minimally get you by, but it is almost a disposable meter.

 

[ajdelange]

The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

 

[pepindavid]

I have the exact same one. It seems pretty stable and accurate on it's first use, but it becomes unstable (and totally inaccurate) as soon as it's submerged in anything. So... almost useless, unless you're willing to calibrate everytime it touches something.