MrEggSandwich
Well-Known Member
Hi all....A couple of questions on water/efficiency. Due to my well water, which has a Ph of 7.7, I can't get my mash Ph (according to EZ Water Calc & Brewer's Friend) below 5.6 (that's with salt additions). My system is the Blichmann Breweasy, and my efficiency expectations are around 65-70%. My last batch was 53% efficiency, but I have achieved as high as 67%. Seems like I'm getting better efficiency with lower gravity beers. I'm working on my process as a whole, but my last brew, I waaay off on target OG.
My water profile is below, but I guess my ultimate question is: How do I lower my mash Ph if I can only get mash ph down to 5.6 with additions? Should I be doing 50/50 well/distilled or RO?
-How big an increase would I see if I was able to lower my mash Ph? Is this a water issue?
-What is water profile for distilled water? (7.0 Ph and zero minerals?). In other words- If I were to use 100% distilled to start- What do I enter in water calculators before adding salts?
pH 7.7
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Est, ppm 98
Electrical Conductivity, mmho/cm 0.16
Cations / Anions, me/L 1.8 / 1.6
ppm
Sodium, Na 4
Potassium, K < 1
Calcium, Ca 28
Magnesium, Mg 3
Total Hardness, CaCO3 83
Nitrate, NO3-N 0.4 (SAFE)
Sulfate, SO4-S 3
Chloride, Cl 3
Carbonate, CO3 < 1.0
Bicarbonate, HCO3 82
Total Alkalinity, CaCO3 67
Total Phosphorus, P < 0.01
Total Iron, Fe < 0.01
"<" - Not Detected / Below Detection Limit
My water profile is below, but I guess my ultimate question is: How do I lower my mash Ph if I can only get mash ph down to 5.6 with additions? Should I be doing 50/50 well/distilled or RO?
-How big an increase would I see if I was able to lower my mash Ph? Is this a water issue?
-What is water profile for distilled water? (7.0 Ph and zero minerals?). In other words- If I were to use 100% distilled to start- What do I enter in water calculators before adding salts?
pH 7.7
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Est, ppm 98
Electrical Conductivity, mmho/cm 0.16
Cations / Anions, me/L 1.8 / 1.6
ppm
Sodium, Na 4
Potassium, K < 1
Calcium, Ca 28
Magnesium, Mg 3
Total Hardness, CaCO3 83
Nitrate, NO3-N 0.4 (SAFE)
Sulfate, SO4-S 3
Chloride, Cl 3
Carbonate, CO3 < 1.0
Bicarbonate, HCO3 82
Total Alkalinity, CaCO3 67
Total Phosphorus, P < 0.01
Total Iron, Fe < 0.01
"<" - Not Detected / Below Detection Limit