Recommendation for RO system to use for homebrew

General Homebrew Discussion
1

Hey All

I would like to get a RO system for doing my brews. I would probably just hook it up to a garden hose. Any recommendations?

thx

2

APEC Top Tier 5-Stage Ultra Safe Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System (ESSENCE ROES-50) Amazon.com

works well for me, makes pretty much distilled water, from 450tds to 12tds

but slow

3

I haven’t pulled the trigger on anything, but someone recommended going to this website:

http://www.buckeyehydro.com/premium-ro-systems/

https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=30123.msg395273#msg395273

I’m thinking about grabbing one with an inline  TDS meter, but at $175 I’d break even after about 25 batches. That’d probably take about 1.5 years of brewing, may not be worth it. Let me know if you find something else you like!

Edit: My calculations are based on the cheapest water I can find right now, $0.87/gallon distilled water from Menards. I typically use 8 gallons for a 6 gallon batch.

4

Happy that you ran the numbers.  Also consider the install fee if you are not handy, waste water costs, and replacement filters later on.  I want one, don’t get me wrong, but the numbers just don’t jive.  Now, if getting RO water (I use distilled) was truly difficult/far away that could change things.

Zman, unfortunately an RO system isn’t that easy to just throw on the end of hose and go.  It’s slow.  Even the nice systems with tanks will require filling containers and storing.  Personally, I’d just get into the habit of picking up a few gallons each trip to the store and next thing you know you have nice stash ready to go.

5

I Agree- I have thought about this as well. But a 5 gal bottle dropped at my door costs 7.50. Seems like a steal to me.

6

yeah - i’ve really wanted one - but I’ve done the same analysis as you; it’d take me a full day to gather enough water for a batch versus going down the street - $6 and 20 min later, I’m ready to go.

7

Same reason that has kept me from purchasing one too. Just too easy to head to the store and fill a couple carboys with water for 5 bucks.

8

That’s funny!  I was going to bring up this since I never see people post about it but yes, there are places that deliver and it is quite reasonable.

9

Most large grocery stores have RO water dispensers and charge between 35 and 40 cents a gallon. A lot cheaper than distilled. At these prices I could never justify the purchase price, maintenance and waste water costs of an RO setup at home.

10

I need to check again but none of these near me.  Here, RO is same price as distilled.  Usually $1/G.  Remember to grab a TDS meter and test if you’re filling.  Some places don’t maintain well…

11

Is your water clorinated city or are you on a well?

12

Unfortunately, not universally true. Areas that have low or really low TDS are unlikely to have RO machines in any stores. In essence, if you can’t find RO machines in stores in your area, there probably isn’t a great need for RO treatment and the tap water is more likely to be usable for brewing (of course, you still have to adjust it for brewing).

13

FWIW, we definitely have RO machines at Kroger and Safeway in Longmont despite having water with a TDS ~50 coming out of the faucet. Form-factor of the 5 gallon jug has some appeal,  I guess ¯_(ツ)_/¯

14

Never thought of it, but Martin is right. If the water is good there’s really no market for RO dispensers. If you’re on a municipal water supply and it’s good water you might look into dilution and/or mineral additions. You’d need mineral additions if you went with RO anyway.

15

My tap water is crap. I got RO from the grocery for years.

Now I have an RO system for brewing. I figure a year break even, or so. Not having to lug 5 gallon jugs was what made this old fart pull the trigger, and I am happy I did.

16

I take it that the tap water has either iron or manganese (metallic) flavor?

17

I’m right about at this point.  Yes, cheaper to buy at the grocery store, but with a plumber friend willing hook it up it would save lugging 20 gallons home for 10 gallon batches (need to cover from HERMS coil).  I might pull the trigger in the next year.

18

Makes alot of sense.  IIRC TDS of mine was 120ish/alkalinity is 90ppm and I don’t really consider that good maybe average but it’s better than many I see posted I guess.

While RO water makes brewing easier it is no magic bullet.  Light beers will probably need more acidity and alkalinity for dark.  Best to learn BNW…

19

Thanks everyone.  My tap water actually taste good but it was the chlorine and chloramines I wanted to rid myself of… Found this on amazon. Amazon.com

Think I will give it a try. Through work, I have access to lab testing so think I will run some water through it and see how well it removes.

20

A small amount of sodium metabisulfite (campden tablet. Apps 1 tablet per 20 gallons) will remove chloramine in water. I am less certain about chlorine, but chloramine removal is very cheap and easy.