Immaterial as long as the sparge liquor ph is below 6... One thing that intrigues me is how it all comes together for the pre-boil ph. In the case of my last brew, my actual measured ph was 5.36, so a bit higher than predicted from the calculator (5.26), but it was actually my target ph so all...

It does. But my original question remains... What is your conclusion about the calculator showing my predicted sparge pH as 3.5? I think it really is showing sparge liquor pH, right? At least for people who treat all of their water at once...

The alkalinity coming out of the tap is 61 ppm CaCo3. After treatment, the calculator shows residual alkalinity as 13.68. Is this good? The calculator shows effective strength of weak acids as 218.73 -- I have no idea what that means. So, more data points from my brew a few days ago: I set...

I get that... If your process is dialed in and you always hit your pH numbers, there isn't a need to do all the pH testing. For me, I'm not quite there. I've been testing mash pH for a while now, but only recently became interested in other pH readings, such as pre boil kettle pH. I also want...

Yes, my conclusion is the mash pH is most important, and the calculator works pretty well for that. Also that I make sure the sparge calculation is below 6. There does not seem to be consensus on whether the sparge calculator is working for me, though. It's doesn't really matter, because my...

Which measurement? Do you think my batch sparge runoff was really 3.9 as predicted?

I use tap water with a starting pH of 9, if that helps. So, let's say my sparge water really did get acidified down to 4.4 or the 3.9 the calculator predicted. I would think my sparge pH would at least raise up a little because the grain has absorbed the strike water that had a higher pH. I...

I batch sparge. So, I could have a reading error, but I measured the sparge liquor at 4.4 before adding to the (post mash) grain. I measured the sparge runoff at 5.45 ph. So, either I measured incorrectly (possible of course), or it seems like my sparge ph did increase? Still not sure why...

https://www.brewersfriend.com/mash-chemistry-and-brewing-water-calculator/ So, reporting back. For my Dubbel, I set the above water calculator to 5.3 mash pH. It calculated a sparge pH of 3.7. I just took all the actual measurements. The actual sparge (and strike) liquor pH before adding to...

Thanks to you and all who commented. My working theory is that that calculator is correct, and my sparge water really is 3.7 after the lactic addition. BUT since the runoff is only 3 gallons or so, it just doesn't matter. Maybe if I were running off 10 gallons it would...

Yes, I am acidifying the mash and sparge water at the same time. If I didn't acidify the sparge water it would hit the grain at 9 pH. You are +1 that the low sparge pH must not matter. Thank you for that. It is interesting because I also posted this question in another forum. Nobody was...

So +1 that the calculator may be accurate, and my sparge water pH really is that low. I will for sure test it next time, which should tell me the answer. Since my beers turn out well, low sparge ph must not matter very much, if at all.

Well, I am acidifying 9 gallons, so it probably takes more drops. But my question is twofold, really: 1. Is the calculator correct? Is my sparge pH really 3.6. 2. If it is 3.6, does it matter? Maybe it all blends together in the kettle? My beers turn out great, so I am mostly just trying...

I don't click anything in that section... Should I? I use tap water with a starting pH of 9. If I hit blend it asks for water b amount, which I do not understand.

Blend. I fill up my boil kettle because it has measures on it. Usually I need at least 9 gallons total. Then I add my campden tablets, salts, and acid. Then I drain off the sparge water into a separate container.

Yes, I will measure next time. I always measure mash pH, but have never bothered with sparge, since I batch sparge. Perhaps it's much ado about nothing. Just seems weird the calculator is showing such a low predicted sparge pH. It does not seem to hurt my beers.

So, I do not click "salts added to Mash only.". I add my salts and acid to all my water at the same time, usually 9 gallons or so. Then I drain off the sparge water into another vessel.

No measurements. You know how on the water calculator where it shows your mash pH? It also shows sparge pH. My sparge pH is often predicted really low. It seems odd.

I am talking about the water calculator, not actual measurements. It is showing predicted mash pH of 5.3. But it also shows predicted sparge pH of 3.6. Seems really low, but maybe it's not a big deal...

Hello, I treat all of my mash and sparge water at the same time, in one big kettle, with a focus on getting the mash ph in range. I notice when I do this that the predicted sparge ph is sometimes really low, like 3.7. Is this cause for concern? I know the ideal sparge ph is below 6, but I...