Milwaukee Instruments – pH meters, refractometer and DO meter
Milwaukee Instruments makes measuring instruments for laboratories and production, including brewing. Brewshop carries pH meters for brewing water and mash, a digital refractometer for sugar content, a dissolved oxygen (DO) meter, and calibration buffers, replacement probes and cleaning solution.
Choosing a pH meter
PH54 is an affordable, rugged pH meter with a double junction probe, 0.01 pH resolution and ±0.1 pH accuracy. It is waterproof to IP65.
PH55 Pro offers ±0.1 pH accuracy, 2-point calibration and automatic temperature compensation (ATC). pH 4.01 and 7.01 buffers are included, and the display shows both pH and temperature.
PH56 Pro offers ±0.05 pH accuracy and the same features as the PH55 Pro, but is waterproof to IP67. It uses the same MI56P probe.
MW102 PRO+ offers ±0.02 pH accuracy, a lab-grade gel-filled probe, a stainless temperature sensor and a 1 metre probe cable.
Model
Accuracy
Replacement probe
PH54
±0.1 pH
Replaceable probe
PH55 Pro
±0.1 pH
MI56P
PH56 Pro
±0.05 pH
MI56P
MW102 PRO+
±0.02 pH
SE220
Refractometer, DO meter and maintenance
MA885 digital refractometer reads 0–50% Brix, 0–230 °Oechsle (SG 1.000–1.230) and 0–42 °KMW with temperature compensation. It is calibrated with distilled or deionised water.
MW600 PRO DO meter measures dissolved oxygen with ±1.5% FS accuracy. It uses the MA840 polarographic probe with a PTFE membrane, calibrates in open air, and has a 10 ft cable and 70 hours of battery life. The MA841 spare membrane is available.
Maintenance – pH 4.01 and 7.01 buffers in 20 ml and 230 ml, MA9015 electrode storage solution and cleaning solution.
pH measurement FAQ
Why measure pH when brewing beer?
Mash pH affects how well the enzymes convert starch to sugar, and it affects flavour. With a pH meter you can adjust your brewing water with acid or salts and check that the mash lands where the recipe says.
How often should I calibrate a pH meter?
Calibrate regularly with pH 7.01 and 4.01 buffers, and whenever readings seem off. The buffers come in 20 ml and 230 ml bottles.
How should I store the pH probe?
Keep the probe moist. Store it in MA9015 storage solution and clean it with electrode cleaning solution. A probe that has dried out gives unstable readings.
Can I use the refractometer once fermentation has started?
The refractometer is made to measure sugar. Once alcohol is present, the reading is off and must be corrected with a conversion calculator, or you can use a hydrometer instead.
