Ph crash

[bluc]

Wondering if someone knows what causes the ph to crash. Weather bacterial or any other cause. For almost 3 years had no issue but last 6mnths have had no end of trouble fermenting uj /bwko style sour mash. With 3 washs (200l) I was unable to rescue. I suspect bacterial but there is no sign no spider web(lacto) or other indicators of infection. Only on gen 2 10l backset(200l wash) and it's happened again.. :angry-banghead: :angry-banghead: :angry-banghead:

[Doubleuj]

Change in the town water perhaps?

[tipsy]

I suspect bacterial but there is no sign no spider web(lacto) or other indicators of infection.

Did you taste it? I had lacto in my last lot of UJ.
Tasted like a Lambic beer and I could just see it starting on the surface but I would have missed it if I wasn't looking for it.

[bluc]

Where would I get some sent for analysis and what tests would I ask for. Thinking sour mash might be better suited for when you start with hard water...Will pull my finger out and get ro working but from memory ph out of that was low 5.5ish also...is ro the way to go with brewing water or is there something less aggressive.. Turning into a major pita..have had a couple non sour mashed brews fail also. 100% of them ph down 2.3ish..according to my cheapo ph meter..

[bluc]

Tipsy, I have had lacto but no sign of it on last 3 fails. Could a bacteria in water cause ph crash? Something that can be tested for..

[bluc]

From google on ro water

The result is nearly pure water, which which has neutral pH of 7. But if it's exposed to air, RO water drops down to an acidic pH range of 5 – 5.5. ... Alkaline water has a pH of greater than 7, so reverse osmosis water is not alkaline water. To alkalize it, you have to add calcium and other minerals to it.

Stripping everything out then adding back Whats needed is pretty hardcore and not sure I wanna go there.

[bluc]

Rule out sugar have had 2 different brands fail. Grain is feedstore cracked corn and store bought malted barley..

[tipsy]

How long do you ferment for? (Just trying to rule out lacto)

[bluc]

15days today.. also I nuked both fermenters with bleach bout month ago. Bleach soak for week then good rinse then sodium percarbonate soak for 3 days.. have done one succesful uj (gen 2 in and stuck)in one and a rum in other 2nd rum in and fermenting fine. ~x(

[The Stig]

Dont take this the wrong way Bluc but, could it be a hygiene issue ?

[bluc]

The only thing that touch's it is boiling backset goes into clean, not sanitized, bucket then sugar melted that goes in then remainder of sugar dissolved with tap water . Maybe the mixer I use in the drill ? Any samples are taken off through tap. And I don't put my hands into it. Sealed olive drum with airlock. I thought I was careful enough maybe not... Only ever had one big rum fail.
Now had two kale washs half ferment and this is number 3 uj..all suffered ph crash. With no mould visible..

[bluc]

But it is in a garden shed....

[bluess57]

Try adding a buffer solution?
Or maybe some calcium carbonate

[bluess57]

Some semi relevant light reading :-
https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... s/download

Too hot in shed?
Add some buffer solution, or some calcium carbonate?
Change your sanitizing chemicals/routine
I read somewhere before plain bleach is not entirely effective as a sanitizing agent

[bluc]

Used bleach then sodium percarbonate which is sold as beer santizer? Yea have nursed a few through with calcium carbonate.

[bluc]

Thanks for the link will have a read now..And I will take more care with hygene also..

[bluc]

Can you use hydroponic buffer solution in brewing? Have been using shell grit with some sucess..

[bluess57]

Used bleach then sodium percarbonate which is sold as beer santizer? Yea have nursed a few through with calcium carbonate.

Sodium percarbonate is for cleaning, is not a sanitizing agent AFAIK
Get some starsan , iodophor, phosphoric acid blend for sanitation

[bluc]

Ok :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Wobblyboot]

How much backset do u add? What is the starting ph of ur water? Every wash Iv had stall was due to low ph of my town water. If it’s low then u will need to add less backset :-B