Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Entry level DO Meter

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Entry level DO Meter

    We have seen some higher than we would like, and often inconsistant DO numbers in our packaged beer. We do not have a DO meter yet but the mobile canning company that comes to us does have one. They test in the tank and in the can to show us what they added and what we added prior to that.

    We are looking for a meter that isnt thousands of dollars to help us

    1. Test DO at each point in the process so we can figure out where the 'jump' is coming from.
    2. Help us determine when the brite tank is properly purged beyond our 'sniff test'


    Would something like either of these do the trick or do they not have the precision/accuracy needed for such small numbers?






    Thanks!

    Brian

  • #2
    Unfortunately, no. Those meters read in parts per million, not billion (which you will need for packaged beer). Even then, the open-air style probe of those meters really isn't ideal for checking wort DO levels either. Ideally you would have something that can be installed inline after your oxygen stone rather than collecting a sample in a dish and waving the probe through it.

    A good DO meter for checking packaged beer (including a piercing device) will be in the ballpark of $10K - $20+K. However, this will also replace your Zahm and do gas purity readings as well.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by BemidjiBrewing View Post
      Unfortunately, no. Those meters read in parts per million, not billion (which you will need for packaged beer). Even then, the open-air style probe of those meters really isn't ideal for checking wort DO levels either. Ideally you would have something that can be installed inline after your oxygen stone rather than collecting a sample in a dish and waving the probe through it.

      A good DO meter for checking packaged beer (including a piercing device) will be in the ballpark of $10K - $20+K. However, this will also replace your Zahm and do gas purity readings as well.
      +1

      Looked for a few, but the TPO measurement is a pretty precise measurement and requires precision instruments. Nothing really beats the Anton Par Cbox in my view, but $25K is steep. On the plus side, it does measure dissolved co2 as Bemidji mentioned.

      The Beverly is great for tank readings, but needs an aftermarket can/bottle tester. I prefer its larger tube and flow, as it is less likely to get clogged than the AP Cbox.

      Another reasonable option is the Orbisphere, but the same for can/bottles.

      Bev and Orbisphere don't do carbonation, but are more like $6-10K last time I quoted one.

      Comment


      • #4
        There are loads of suppliers out there. You need one that is specifically designed for in-line use - putting beer in a beaker simply will not do - the simple act of transferring into the beaker will add more oxygen than was probably in the beer.

        Centec, Haffmans, Anton Paar, Beverly, Orbisphere (Hach), Hamilton, Mettler Toledo to name but a few. All expensive, but if you want to sell good beer......

        As said before, you need to measure in ppb, not ppm.

        Two sorts, clark cell and optical. Go for optical if you can afford the extra.

        You may find some secondhand ones around - in which case they are most likely to be clark sell types, and perfectly acceptable.
        dick

        Comment


        • #5
          The Hamilton Beverly is a good bet for entry level DO monitoring. It works great taking measurements from tanks or inline during transfers. You can use a can/bottle piercer with it to take in package readings as well, but it's difficult to get stable repeatable readings that way (at least in our experience). They run around $6-7k, it's pretty much the lowest priced unit that is going to be useful for what you're looking to do, at least that I'm aware of. If you're mobile canner is doing TPO readings for you, then the Beverly will for sure help you to track down where you're picking up air in your process pre-filler.

          Comment

          Working...
          X