pH What ph meter accessories do I need?

[Torch]

I'm about to order the Milwuakee ph56.

http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/milwaukee/ph-meters/ph56.htm

What accessories do I need to buy along with this?

They sell 4.1 ph buffer, 7.1 ph buffer solution, and 10.1 ph buffer solution separately. Do I need all 3 of these buffer solutions to calibrate the meter or only 1?

Anything else I need?

 

[queequeg152]

you only need 4 and 7

ph pens make me sad, but ive only used a few. keep in mind that you have alot more flexibility with a detachable probe type system. you can get cheap gell electrodes for as low as 40 bucks.

you need

wash bottle to clean the tip. buy some distilled water for this.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=wash+bottle

ph buffers. basic lab rules here. dont ever take measurements from these bottles. take these bottles... pour some out into a small beaker or cup.. as small as possible so as to not waste it. then take the measurements from that.. not the bottle. dont ever ever ever pour back into the origional bottle. you can get resealable nalgene bottles that are like 30ml and just wide enough to get the electrode inside them. i use these a few times then pour it out and replace it with some fresh stuff.
http://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-4-01-Calibration-Solution/dp/B004HE7W42/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347833053&sr=8-2&keywords=ph+calibration+solution

storage buffer. you may or maynot use it. ive heard that storing it in ph7 calibration buffer is just fine, but what ever you may want to look into that.
http://www.amazon.com/Hanna-Instruments-Storage-Solution-Electrodes/dp/B002NX0W2I/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1347833200&sr=1-1&keywords=ph+storage+buffer


optional stuff.
stand... look for better deals on ebay. clamp your thing into this and simply swirle around the solution you are measuring. this will save your glass probe from accidental dropage etc.
http://www.amazon.com/MHB-LB73-SET-Laboratory-Support-Stand/dp/B002AQUJNK/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1347833266&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=lab+stand


cleaning solution... this is general stuff. the type you need actually depends on what contaminates your electrode. protein contaminates form milk etc require a special cleaner.
http://www.amazon.com/Hanna-Instruments-Electrode-Cleaning-Solution/product-reviews/B002NX0W4Q/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1


bottles for your buffer, however your probe is to fat, might want to find another? up to you. could look into some 100ml beakers.
http://www.amazon.com/Nalgene-2089-0001-Sample-Bottle-Narrow-Mouth/dp/B003OBYUBW/ref=pd_sbs_indust_4

 

[SanPatricio]

ph4 and ph10 buffers to calibrate. ph 7 buffer to keep the electrode pore wet.
A ph meter is only as good as the adherence to proper procedures; set up, calibration and cleanliness.

 

[Torch]

you only need 4 and 7

ph pens make me sad, but ive only used a few. keep in mind that you have alot more flexibility with a detachable probe type system. you can get cheap gell electrodes for as low as 40 bucks.

you need

wash bottle to clean the tip. buy some distilled water for this.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=wash+bottle

ph buffers. basic lab rules here. dont ever take measurements from these bottles. take these bottles... pour some out into a small beaker or cup.. as small as possible so as to not waste it. then take the measurements from that.. not the bottle. dont ever ever ever pour back into the origional bottle. you can get resealable nalgene bottles that are like 30ml and just wide enough to get the electrode inside them. i use these a few times then pour it out and replace it with some fresh stuff.
http://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-4-01-Calibration-Solution/dp/B004HE7W42/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347833053&sr=8-2&keywords=ph+calibration+solution

storage buffer. you may or maynot use it. ive heard that storing it in ph7 calibration buffer is just fine, but what ever you may want to look into that.
http://www.amazon.com/Hanna-Instruments-Storage-Solution-Electrodes/dp/B002NX0W2I/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1347833200&sr=1-1&keywords=ph+storage+buffer


optional stuff.
stand... look for better deals on ebay. clamp your thing into this and simply swirle around the solution you are measuring. this will save your glass probe from accidental dropage etc.
http://www.amazon.com/MHB-LB73-SET-Laboratory-Support-Stand/dp/B002AQUJNK/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1347833266&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=lab+stand


cleaning solution... this is general stuff. the type you need actually depends on what contaminates your electrode. protein contaminates form milk etc require a special cleaner.
http://www.amazon.com/Hanna-Instruments-Electrode-Cleaning-Solution/product-reviews/B002NX0W4Q/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1


bottles for your buffer, however your probe is to fat, might want to find another? up to you. could look into some 100ml beakers.
http://www.amazon.com/Nalgene-2089-0001-Sample-Bottle-Narrow-Mouth/dp/B003OBYUBW/ref=pd_sbs_indust_4

WOW thanks so much for all the information!!! I would have not been prepared if I just bought the ph meter. Just one question.
Why are ph meter pens limited? I'll only be using this for hot sauce, salsa, and pickled brines. I'll google detachable probe systems because I'm not sure what those are. I haven't bought anything yet but I'd like to order everything tonight.

ph4 and ph10 buffers to calibrate. ph 7 buffer to keep the electrode pore wet.
A ph meter is only as good as the adherence to proper procedures; set up, calibration and cleanliness.

Ok so I need to buy all three buffers. Do you think ph meter pens are ok like the link I provided?

 

[queequeg152]

WOW thanks so much for all the information!!! I would have not been prepared if I just bought the ph meter. Just one question.
Why are ph meter pens limited? I'll only be using this for hot sauce, salsa, and pickled brines. I'll google detachable probe systems because I'm not sure what those are. I haven't bought anything yet but I'd like to order everything tonight.



Ok so I need to buy all three buffers. Do you think ph meter pens are ok like the link I provided?

you need three buffers only if you are going to be measureing beyond 7. the buffers allow the meter to generate a variable mV slope that is necessary to keep the readings accurate.
an ideal ph electrode would be a linear relationship between PH values and millivolt readings. this is not the case however, and especially not the case with cheap meters.
however since you are only measureing 0>3>7 you do not need 10. 10 buffers tend to be a PITA as they are sometimes unstable when improperly stored.

a detachable ph meter is simply a system that uses an electrode that is connected to a readout type thing.
this is an example.
http://www.labtrader.com/fisher-scientific-accumet-basic-meter-ab15-p-913.html

it has a main display that will give you measurements, and a probe attached to a wire that you immerse in a solution to be measured. those types of probes are detachable so you can replace JUST the probe. these probs arent super cheap or anything by them selves, but i firmly believe them to be superior to the tiny ass pen probes with their tiny glass membrane, and crummy watch battery powered computers.

all IMO tho. so take it with a grain of salt. many people find the pen probes to be just fine for their purposes. i however find them annoying and cheap.

edit: im not telling you to spend a grand or anything for a meter btw, i just linked the first ab15 Google images found. you can get these for less than 100 bucks. and a probe for 40+. watch ebay if you want one, ive seem many many good meters that are worth hundreds go for a pittance.

 

[SanPatricio]

[background=rgb(255, 244, 228)]" Ok so I need to buy all three buffers. Do you think ph meter pens are ok like the link I provided? "[/background]

[background=rgb(255, 244, 228)]For universal ph measurement, you generally need all three. Food processing and canning is normally done at ph 4 or below so you may not need the ph10. [/background]
[background=rgb(255, 244, 228)]I have not purchased ph meters since retirement 10 years ago. At that time, the 'pen' types were not very durable and more difficult[/background]
[background=rgb(255, 244, 228)]to keep calibrated. Personally I opted to spend more money for compact bench models. Cole-Palmer meters were the best bang for the buck and held up really well. I have no first hand knowledge of today's market. The meter you linked to looked fine, but as I said I am out of date. In any event [/background]queequeg152[background=rgb(255, 244, 228)] recommendations are critical. Have a wash bottle for flushing the electrode with DI or distilled water. Keep the electrode bathed and suspended in CLEAN ph7 buffer. [/background]

 

[Littlejoenc]

Torch, I have that same meter and I've had no problems with it...
Unless I was using a ph meter commercaly, I think this meter for the price really works well for my home use for cheese and hot sauce..
As others have stated, allways clean and store it like it tells you in the manual...
It also comes with a packet of 4.1 and 7.1 buffer..
The company that makes them is here in N.C.and has really good tech support and customer service....

 

[Torch]

Excellent!!!! Thanks everyone!!!!! Just purchased it. I can always upgrade in the future if need be. At least I'll know my sauce won't kill anyone

Thanks again for all the helpful recommendations!!!