libeerty
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2012
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Hi all. I'm trying to adjust my brewing water to make better beer. I've looked up my local water report, plugged it in to the spreadsheets recommended in other threads, and have come up with this:
Estimated Mash pH is 4.77, which is lower than the desired 5.4-5.6.
The water is soft, and the calcium, magnesium, and sulfate are all lower than the desired levels. (4, 8, and 1, respectively)
I have read in other threads that calcium chloride can be used to make the water harder, but doesn't that also lower my pH, which I am trying to raise? I understand that I can raise my pH by adding calcium carbonate or baking soda, and doing that solves the calcium problem, but does not raise the magnesium and sulfate levels (per those spreadsheets.)
So, the way I'm seeing it now, is that I should add calcium carbonate to raise the pH to desired levels and to increase calcium levels, and I should add magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) to raise the magnesium and sulfate levels?
Is this right?
I appreciate any help.
Thanks!
Estimated Mash pH is 4.77, which is lower than the desired 5.4-5.6.
The water is soft, and the calcium, magnesium, and sulfate are all lower than the desired levels. (4, 8, and 1, respectively)
I have read in other threads that calcium chloride can be used to make the water harder, but doesn't that also lower my pH, which I am trying to raise? I understand that I can raise my pH by adding calcium carbonate or baking soda, and doing that solves the calcium problem, but does not raise the magnesium and sulfate levels (per those spreadsheets.)
So, the way I'm seeing it now, is that I should add calcium carbonate to raise the pH to desired levels and to increase calcium levels, and I should add magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) to raise the magnesium and sulfate levels?
Is this right?
I appreciate any help.
Thanks!