Mash pH sampling

[pretzelb]

With my new single vessel setup I find it awkward to get a mash pH reading. I have a 20g kettle with a solid side mesh basket for the grains and a recirculation arm for the wort. The arm is under the mash bed and secured with tri clamps so I can't steal a sample with it. The drain is being used by the pump. I'm left with just skimming a sample from the top. Is that good enough? Even though I'm recirculating I assume there is a big difference between the top and bottom of the kettle. But I can't think of another way to get a sample.

 

[Bensiff]

How I'm reading your post, you have a drain pulling wort and then recirculating back under the wort so that you are not running it back over the top of the grain bed? If that is correct, your pH is not your biggest issue right now. If I'm reading that wrong and you are recirculating over the top of the grain bed then you would have a good mix and skimming from the top would be just as good as pulling from the drain.

 

[pretzelb]

How I'm reading your post, you have a drain pulling wort and then recirculating back under the wort so that you are not running it back over the top of the grain bed? If that is correct, your pH is not your biggest issue right now. If I'm reading that wrong and you are recirculating over the top of the grain bed then you would have a good mix and skimming from the top would be just as good as pulling from the drain.

I am recirculating in to the mash bed not over. See Colorado Brewing or the Brew Boss for examples.

 

[Horseflesh]

I would be interested to see the pH from the top, and from sampling deep inside the basket via turkey baster or the like. (My own CBS system is on order...)

 

[pretzelb]

I would be interested to see the pH from the top, and from sampling deep inside the basket via turkey baster or the like. (My own CBS system is on order...)

Turkey baster. I could try that. Good idea.