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Calculating PH for the mash

Nikinoel am 31.03.2023 20:33:47 | Region: US

I live in the US and am using an acid blend to adjust the PH as it’s easier to get. How do you calculate the ph of the mash.

For example, I have 6 liters of purée (4 ph) and 2 liters water (1/3 if the purée). Sugar added as needed (doesn’t affect ph).

Does that mean that the ph is ((6l x 4ph) + (2l x 7ph)) / (6l + 2l) = 4.75?


It’s hard to get a good reading on dark purées like sweet cherry.


Thanks!

RE: Calculating PH for the mash

Schmickl am 01.04.2023 08:00:06 | Region: Carinthia
No, this is not possible, since the pH is a common logarithm scale. Will say: pH 4 = 10-4, pH 3 = 10-3 etc. In fact, pH 4 is a tenfold dilution of pH 3. And if the pH is not an integer figure, it get's complicated pretty fast: pH 3.5 = 10-3.5. Thus: ph 4 = 0.0001, pH 3.5 = 0.00031623, pH 3 = 0.001.

But in combination with the natural containing organic acids of a fruit mash, an acid blend functions like a buffer solution. Therefore, an acid blend adjusts the pH to the right value by itself, because it's a blend. Hence it's not a must to measure the pH if using acid blends, just follow the indicated dosing instructions of the product.

RE: Calculating PH for the mash

Nikinoel am 01.04.2023 16:58:53 | Region: US

Thank you for the response. I’m the states all I’m finding are powder blends that state something like add a teaspoon per gallon to lower it .15. No helpful when you can’t determine the starting ph.


Any suggestions on measuring the ph on a dark liquid?


Do you have a distributors or anyone in the US who carries the liquid blend?

RE: Calculating PH for the mash

Schmickl am 04.04.2023 14:00:08 | Region: Carinthia
OK, I understand.
1) Measuring the pH value: as already said, from one integer figure to the next one it's tenfold more diluted or more concentrated. Therefore dilute your sample in a ratio of 1 + 9. If the pH is below 7, add 1 to the estimated read off, if the pH is higher than 7 substract 1 from the estimated read off.
2) The proposed dosage of the liquid acid blend is 300 to 400 ml per 100 liters of fruit mash (brand name "Biogen M", manufacturer "Oestreich GmbH"), no matter the start pH. You could make a saturated solution with your solid acid blend and add this solution instead. Hence dissolve as much as possible in lukewarm water, will say pour and stir until the new added solid parts are not dissolving anymore.
No, unfortunately I don't know any supplier of liquid acid blends in North America.

I wish mush success!

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