Measuring pH without grains to determine if water treatment is valid

[Hannabrew]

I am using my liquid Calcium Chloride for the first time tomorrow and am a bit worried that my measurement of its strength is off.

I was wondering, after getting the treatment where I want it to be in BnW with the grain bill entered, could I then zero out the grain bill (or almost zero it out to prevent an error), add the water treaments to the RO water and then take the pH measurement to see if it matches the new pH it shows in the water adjustment tab with next to no grain bill?

Does that make sense?

Along those same lines, could I use a TDS meter to see if all my additions equal the PPM that I'm shooting for?

Just looking for a way to validate that I'm doing things correctly.

 

[BigGutHeavyD]

The water adjustment tab displays mash pH as a function of grain color. Not providing any grain input would most certainly break the formulas.

1.) Adjust water until desired pH with grain bill
2.) Take grain bill away
3.) Read predicted spreadsheet pH without grain bill (Problem #1: spreadsheet operates off the principal of malt color)
4.) Compare pH in #3 with a measured pH of the RO water with all salts and acids added. (Problem #2: mash is a buffering system - plain RO water is not)

Best method of validation is to take a pH reading during your mash and adjust as necessary the next time you brew.

 

[Silver_Is_Money]

Mineral salts such as gypsum and calcium chloride when added to the water alone will not change the waters pH. These minerals react with compounds within the malts and this is what shifts the mash (wort) pH.

Only acidic or basic additions will change the waters pH without the presence of the malts. Baking soda is a basic (mildly caustic) mineral.

 

[TexasWine]

I'd suggest reading this thread. You should be able to just measure the specific gravity to get the concentration of your liquid CaCl2.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=501377

 

[Hannabrew]

Thanks for the all the advice. I did read that Measuring Calcium Chloride thread which is why I made the liquid CaC02 in the first place however I'm not just paranoid I did something wrong and I'm going to add way too much to my water.

I suppose a test mash would be the best option...I've never done one but I will research that angle.

Thanks!

 

[mabrungard]

I was wondering, after getting the treatment where I want it to be in BnW with the grain bill entered, could I then zero out the grain bill (or almost zero it out to prevent an error), add the water treaments to the RO water and then take the pH measurement to see if it matches the new pH it shows in the water adjustment tab with next to no grain bill?

NO! It does not work that way.