I’m just about done with trying to figure out my pH when I brew. I started with a meter that I later on found out was cheap junk and have since upgraded to a better meter. Every brew day the pH according to Brewfather should be this and my meter tells another story. Can’t ever seem to get the two numbers to even be remotely close. Should I just trust Brewfather that it knows what it’s talking about based on my inputs and adjust accordingly or keep taking swings at it with different meters?
Do you have a water report? Are you cooling the sample? Probably need more information here.
Distilled water. Taken about 30 minutes into the mash. It’s taken after it cools a bit.
Measure the temp before taking your pH reading. Your temp should be the temp your pH meter was calibrated to. You did calibrate at the beginning of brew day, right? If not, calibrate prior to the first reading while the sample is cooling to the meter’s calibration temp.
all the models are estimates. None are going to be spot on every time. They should get you in the ball park and you could accidentally hit spot on. But that’s rare. Chalk it up to variability in conditions, equipment, ingredients, etc.
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Dwain is right. Measure the pH at the temperature at which you meter was calibrated (it should tell you the calibration temperature on the information sheet or the back of thee meter) I calibrate my meter once a month (I have checked this with the buffer solutions to verify that my calibration interval is good). Also remember that probes need to be replaced about every two years of so since they do lose their accuracy with time. Also, if you measure your pH at a higher temp, say over 100 degrees F, the probe’s lifetime will be shortened.
Always trust empirical observations over what an equation/theory says you should be observing. Go with your pH meter output assuming you 1) have a reasonably good pH meter, 2) know how to use it properly, and 3) know how to store it properly. Lots of good info on these things on this forum and online. Cheers.
Trust Brewfather, Brewers Friend or whatever else you may use and eliminate the PH anxiety. Your beer will be fine.