PH Meter Recommendations?

[balrog]

I've read the manual for the PH60. I find it quite attractive for a number of reasons (specs, sensor price, semi-manual calibration, color screen - and a totally unambiguous and frankly practical storage procedure). I'm thinking of adding one to my collection...

Cheers!

So we're thinking the Apera over the Thermoworks at this point; are we hoping someone runs the stability test?

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

My pH meter instructed me to store the sensor end in 4pH cal solution. There's a sponge in the cap and I keep it saturated with that.

Unless you calibrate the meter monthly there's a good chance that little sponge will dry out forcing you to buy another meter or probe. Don't even ask how I know this ;-). I found out a nice 4-ounce beer-flight sized glass, plastic wrap and elastic band work a lot better when storing my meter. Soaking the meter in cleaning solution before storing it away in storage solution does extend the life of the bulb too. I've gone two years longer between bulb replacements using this method, instead of six months.

 

[passedpawn]

Unless you calibrate the meter monthly there's a good chance that little sponge will dry out forcing you to buy another meter or probe. Don't even ask how I know this ;-). I found out a nice 4-ounce beer-flight sized glass, plastic wrap and elastic band work a lot better when storing my meter. Soaking the meter in cleaning solution before storing it away in storage solution does extend the life of the bulb too. I've gone two years longer between bulb replacements using this method, instead of six months.

It's fine - I've had this meter since 2014. It still works perfectly... I use it all the time, for lots of whacky stuff, and it's completely stable and seems to remain accurate. I guess they have plastic caps mastered at Extech

I previously had a Milwaukee meter that I did ruin by improper storage though, so I'm keen on the subject.

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

It's fine - I've had this meter since 2014. It still works perfectly... I use it all the time, for lots of whacky stuff, and it's completely stable and seems to remain accurate. I guess they have plastic caps mastered at Extech

I previously had a Milwaukee meter that I did ruin by improper storage though, so I'm keen on the subject.

Thanks for sharing. I have to check out Extech I'm no big fan of paying Hanna $59 for replacement bulbs every few years.

 

[passedpawn]

Thanks for sharing. I have to check out Extech I'm no big fan of paying Hanna $59 for replacement bulbs every few years.

I have the Extech pH100. It's a replacable sensor head like yours. The pH110 is about $10 more, but you can refill the sensor with reference solution and in theory never worry about storage life. Check it out on Amazon. Cal solutions I use are in Post #3 above.

The pH100 has been so solid, I do wonder what all the hubbub is around pH meters. I use mine for beer (e.g., this past weekend), cheese, saltwater fish tank, soaping, pool, and myriad other interests. I've never had one single problem with it. Bonus, the bulb is enclosed, which makes it nearly indestructible.

 

[Rev2010]

So we're thinking the Apera over the Thermoworks at this point; are we hoping someone runs the stability test?

Which stability test is that? I recall Ajdelange's stability test was something like taking the readings over several hours... if that's the one you're referring to then sorry, I'm not going to give it that much an effort to test. All I can say is I've only used it for four brews so far so I have no idea how it will hold up. I did read a bunch of good reviews from brewer's that have been very happy with it. On the four brews I've done with it *ALL* have been quite accurate to Bru'n Waters mash predictions. And all times I calibrated the meter before use then after taking the mash pH I rinsed off the electrode and put it back into one of the calibration solutions and it correctly stabilized at exactly what the buffer is. I then shook off the electrode and placed the meter in the next calibration solution just to check accuracy and it again stabilized at exactly the buffer's pH. The most fluctuation so far has been 0.01 off.

One thing about the meter I realized early on was when calibrating it is don't press the "Calibrate" button to accept the calibration until the reading is correct. It often presents the "smiley face" icon which is it's way of saying the reading has stabilized, but if the reading is say 7.03 or whatever just wait and as it changes the smiley goes away and comes back. Once it's at 7.00 and you have the smiley *then* you accept the calibration. At that point it's calibrated for the first step. After shaking off the electrode simply press and hold calibrate again and then insert it into the 4.00 solution and again wait for it to reach 4.00 with the smiley then accept.

What impresses me about it is that after taking the mash reading and rinsing off the electrode it reads each buffer perfectly. The Milwaukee I had was a constant guessing game. I was considering the MW102 which gets high recommendations, just went with the Apera for price and cause it's a whole kit.


Rev.

 

[balrog]

the bulb is enclosed, which makes it nearly indestructible.

Oh heavens, all I heard when I read that line was Barney Stinson saying, "Challenge ACCEPTED!"

 

[balrog]

Well, for all those of you precariously perched on the edges of your brewing chairs, I have decided to get the ExTech PH100 and we're just gonna see what's what with all these various pH modelling spreadsheets, in the microcosm that defines the very nitpicky and totally randomly personal details of my recipes and brews. You may now return to your regularly scheduled programs.

 

[okiedog]

I think the ExTech pH100 is an excellent choice. I have had my eye on one for a while. I like that it is made in the USA, and that the electrode is refillable.

 

[day_trippr]

Do the stability test!

Cheers!

 

[balrog]

I think the ExTech pH100 is an excellent choice. I have had my eye on one for a while. I like that it is made in the USA, and that the electrode is refillable.

if you want refillable make sure you get the 110 not the 100, which is not refillable electrode

 

[Taket_al_Tauro]

It's fine - I've had this meter since 2014. It still works perfectly... I use it all the time, for lots of whacky stuff, and it's completely stable and seems to remain accurate. I guess they have plastic caps mastered at Extech

I previously had a Milwaukee meter that I did ruin by improper storage though, so I'm keen on the subject

Great I found this thread, since I'm getting very interested in purchasing an Extech pH 100 or 110 too...
Do I understand it correctly, that you have it since 4-5 years and didn't have to replace the electrode yet?

Then the 110-model with refillable electrode sounds very promising, too. If by refilling you can considerably increase
the electrode's shelf life.... So far, in my bit of research, I didn't come across other meters in a similar price range that do have this feature.
Does someone here have already some experience with the 110-model?

 

[passedpawn]

Great I found this thread, since I'm getting very interested in purchasing an Extech pH 100 or 110 too...
Do I understand it correctly, that you have it since 4-5 years and didn't have to replace the electrode yet?

Then the 110-model with refillable electrode sounds very promising, too. If by refilling you can considerably increase
the electrode's shelf life.... So far, in my bit of research, I didn't come across other meters in a similar price range that do have this feature.
Does someone here have already some experience with the 110-model?

Quite coincidentally, I replaced it a week ago. There is a "renew" indicator on its display that started blinking. I purchased this meter November 2014.

According to the manual, the indicator blinks when the sensor fails some "internal diagnostics" test. In fact, I was measuring something that was quite alkaline and getting some questionable readings, and when I looked at the display the warning was blinking - so I guess the diagnostics are legit. The new sensor head was $40. There is a minor economic advantage to getting the pH110, since it's refillable, but looking back I would probably buy that one instead of the pH100 - I have an aversion to "disposable" items, such as the sensor head on the pH100. If you're on the fence though, just read through reviews on Amazon - either will serve you fine.

 

[Taket_al_Tauro]

Thanks for the info! Think I made up my mind then...my homebrew supplier carries the 110 and I could take the chance for squandering some gift coupons I still have for this shop ! wanted just to make sure it is a good meter, so this thread was really helpful!