Reddit reviews Apera Instruments AI311 Premium Series PH60 Waterproof pH Pocket Tester Kit, Replaceable Probe, ±0.01 pH Accuracy

I have the thermoworks 8689. It seemed to never lock on to a pH, any temperature fluctuation would change the readout even though it has ATC. It also rarely showed that I hit my expected mash pH. I switched to this: Apera Instruments AI311 PH60 Premium Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, Replaceable Probe, ±0.01 pH Accuracy, -2.00-16.00 pH Range https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_u1i2DbFX4E7XX. Have only used it twice but both times it showed I hit my expected mash ph, it stayed steady, and this all without calibration. Last brew day, I used both, the apera matched my target, so I calibrated the thermoworks and it still did not match. Happy with the apera, but with two different pH readings I have no idea which is correct. Apera is matching my target so I'm inclined to believe it. The apera also comes in a nice case and is easier to keep stored in solution.

Sure, happy to

Ingredients:

• 2 cups distilled or filtered water
  
• 1.5 TBSP additive free salt
  
• 1 lb. red jalapenos (or other hot red peppers of choice), halved, seeds & stems removed
  
• 1 lb. Thai red chilies (or other hot red peppers of choice), stems removed (seeds optional)
  
• 16 oz. sweet cherries (4 oz. in the ferment; 12 oz. added at blending), frozen or fresh (note that if using fresh, 16 oz. is the net weight AFTER the seeds are removed, so you’ll likely need more like 2 or more lbs.)
  
• 2 tsp garlic powder (post-ferment) OR 6-8 cloves fresh garlic in ferment
  
• 1 TBSP sugar (post-ferment)
  
• Optional: splash of white vinegar (post-ferment)
  
  Directions:
  
  1.) Rinse and prepare the peppers as described above.
  
  2.) Add the cherries and Thai chilies to the jar, and garlic if using fresh, followed by the larger jalapeno pieces.
  
  

3. Prepare the salt brine either by combining the salt in warm water and allowing it to cool, or shake them together vigorously in a tightly sealed jar. Then slowly add the brine to the ferment vessel.
   
   4.) About an inch before the jar is filled to the shoulder, add the weight, and continue pouring brine until all produce is submerged. It is important to have some distance from the top, as the water level will continue to rise as the produce releases moisture.
   
   5.) Apply the airlock lid and ferment for desired length. Suggested: Minimum one month. The pictures shown feature a nearly 3-month ferment.
   
   After the ferment:
   
   1.) Strain the brine from the peppers.
   
   2.) Transfer the peppers to the blender, add 1/2 cup of the reserved brine, 12oz. thawed frozen cherries, sugar, and garlic powder (unless fresh cloves were used in ferment). Blend on high for a few minutes. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add additional brine, blend, continuing to add brine and blend until desired consistency is achieved.
   
   3.) You may now store the sauce raw in the refrigerator, or go on to cook and/or pasteurize it.
   
   Raw sauce: This method preserves the probiotic bacteria in your ferment. If you can test the pH and confirm it is 3.2 or below, there will be no issues. If the pH is above this level, it is possible the added sugar and cherries can restart the ferment, which can create excessive pressure in the storage container. It is not suitable for mailing or room temperature storage. If you are close to 3.2, you may add vinegar until the correct pH is achieved. If not, refrigerator storage is an acceptable method, but the container should be monitored and the cap periodically loosened to release potential pressure build-up.
   
   Cooked sauce: Transfer the sauce to a medium saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, simmering covered for around 20 minutes. You may then opt to blend the sauce further in the blender for several minutes while hot, which will create a very smooth, easily flowing sauce. You can add a splash of vinegar for flavor and to further reduce pH as well. To transfer to 5 oz. woozy bottles, use a bottling funnel.

Apera Instruments AI311 PH60 Premium Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, Replaceable Probe, ±0.01 pH Accuracy, -2.00-16.00 pH Range https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_17svCb4YECPMC

it's worth 20$... sorry had a pretty similar one died after 6 months...

you could try and calibrate if you have calibrating powder

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bought this... so far so good and it feels way more accurate ... for 6x the price

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01ENFOIQE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sticking with Apera I recommend the PH60.
https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI311-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Replaceable tips are awesome!

Here's what I've found so far. The search continues...

Refractometer with Brix + SG scales - $19 Brülosophy link | non-affiliate link

5 gallon No Chill cube - $11.50 Brülosophy link | non-affiliate link

pH Meter (starts 3:15pm) Brülosophy link | non-affiliate link

40x-1000x Microscope (starts 3:50pm) Brülosophy link | non-affiliate link

I use this one. It has a replaceable probe, 1–3 point calibration, and automatic temperature compensation. You can also get other types of probes if you get into cheese-making or something. I'd also recommend buying bigger bottles of calibration solutions and storage solution.

Also be aware that the probes on pH meters need to be replaced periodically. As much as you hate strips, meters are an ongoing expense.

I’d guess this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ENFOIQE/ref=sspa_mw_detail_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have it as well, and highly recommend it.

+1 for Apera, I just decided on this one by them. It was ~15 dollars more expensive than the model you have, but the increased pH sensitivity as well as the fact that it includes storage solution was more than enough for me to be willing to shell out the few extra bucks. Also, another super cool feature of this model is that you can buy replacement probes if you ever damage your current one, which will save you money in the long run. These also seemed to have a consistently higher rating than any other pH pens I looked at on amazon, and their customer service is pretty stellar from what I've gathered. Look into these too OP!

About $80. It's a lower-mid tier Apera. You could get one of their $40-$50 and I'm sure you'd be fine. They come in an awesome little case with a foam insert to hold the meter, testing cups, and calibration liquid. Here's a link if you're interested: https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI311-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1520625309&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=apera&psc=1

Got this last fall and I've been pretty happy with it https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01ENFOIQE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I even broke one of the probes (my stupidity, not the fault of the unit) and it was very easy to get a replacement probe by itself

I ended getting this, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ENFOIQE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Has anyone used this ph meter? I'm not looking to spend $200 but my year old $15 meter is starting to lose it.

Does anyone have experience with this pH meter?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ENFOIQE/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

Seems to have good reviews on Amazon but not much in the way from homebrewers. Looks like a nice unit, just want to make sure no one has had issues.

Just started using this this year: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ENFOIQE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Only 1 batch so not much of a sample size, but it was only .02 off from brunwater, calibrated the morning of brewday.
FWIW, when I was in the market for one, I asked a local craft beverage maker what the minimum I need to spend to get something worth a damn, and he figured at least $80.

Get a pH meter; it's the only way to be sure.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ENFOIQE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The cheapest I would go from reviews I've read is the Apera Instruments.

https://smile.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI311-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE

You could probably save $10 with this meter, though I haven't read as much about it.

https://smile.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI223-Accuracy-Calibration/dp/B07BDVL66C/

This is the PH tester I ended up purchasing. Middle of the road with lots of opportunities to upgrade. Apera Instruments AI311 PH60 Premium Waterproof pH Pocket Tester, Replaceable Probe, ±0.01 pH Accuracy, -2.00-16.00 pH Range https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_LIm2DbA22PH0B


Your advice on the soil composition has been super helpful. I just ordered some additional perlite as I learned my mix is very light on non organics for airspace. I didn't even think about this until you posted. I ended up purchasing a 1 gal sprayer with a low pressure sprayer I'll post pics when it arrives. After some reads on other posts, I makes a lot of sense for reach and east of gentle watering (again, I never thought about this!).

Can you tell me a little more about recharge? I'm really unfamiliar. I'm pretty versed on compost teas but is there something to consider more into flower or late stage pre flush that has worked well for you? Again, I'm trying to do an entirely organic grow if possible.

I use the this Apera I bought from amazon.
Have had it for a while and hasn't failed yet. I follow manufacturer instructions on storage. I check the calibration once every couple months and it hasn't needed calibration in about a year now. I bought extra storage solution KCl from amazon as well. https://www.amazon.ca/Apera-Instruments-Waterproof-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=oh_aui_i_sh_in_o0_img

I think we found your problem! These things are inaccurate! You can't have a good PH reading without a nice PH pen. Plus it's your water that you should test not the soil. The soil it's just to check if everything is fine and you can check it with a PH pen too. Water your plant, wait for the runoff, take this runoff and check the PH.

Don't look further and buy a nice PH pen, I have this one, pretty happy with it.

I think I might have the same set or something similar. It is about $80 off of Amazon though I think I got mine cheaper/on sale. [Here's a link] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_aQiACb0BWZMW9). Mine works pretty well and holds the calibration decently between days. I usually use mine for hot sauces since a lot of mine were thicker and bold colors which makes pH strips harder to use.

That's a good question. I bet the larger amount of water in the full volume mash plays a very significant role in pH.

Also, this is the pH meter I got: https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-Waterproof-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1494965834&sr=8-4&keywords=apera%2Bph%2Bmeter&th=1

It's the most affordable one I've found that has +/- 0.01 precision and automatic temperature compensation.

Thanks for your comment on the PH tester, i got this one but for only $36! : )!

https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI311-Replaceable-2-00-16-00/dp/B01ENFOIQE?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_14574843011

https://www.wettesonline.com/products/instruments-ph-ai311-range-ph60-ph-tester--plusmn-001--200-1600-ph-pocket-premium-apera-probe-accuracy-replaceable-waterproof

Weird site, goodness only knows what they’ll mail me.

I bought this one and haven't looked back yet.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ENFOIQE/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01ENFOIQE&pd_rd_wg=zOFFC&pd_rd_r=M311DYGNK99FC3RAXKX3&pd_rd_w=11nSI