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Date: 16 Dec 2006 12:27:31
From:
Subject: raising the calcium level
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I've posted previously the only numbers I have for the
local water and the calcium level is low; in the 17-18
ppm range. One reference I have stated that this level
can lead to an oxalate haze and I do have haze problems
with my two attempts at an AG. They're probably related
to something else but what's the safest way to bring
up the calcium level considering I don't have any pH
strips to know which way the pH might be off.
Levels posted previously are below. I've emailed
asking for new numbers but no reply so far.
Don
>Ottawa, ON
>Calcium (Ca) 17-18 ppm
>Sulfate (SO4) 26 ppm
>Magnesium (Mg) 2.4 ppm
>Chloride (Cl) 5 ppm
>Carbonate (CO3) 45 ppm
>BiCarbonate ---
>Sodium (Na) 15
>Iron (Fe) 0.02
>Copper (Cu) 3 ppb
>Silicate (SiO2) 4.8
>Zinc (Zn) 4 ppb
>pH 8.4 - 8.8
>THM ~40 ppb
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Date: 16 Dec 2006 15:39:32
From: David M. Taylor
Subject: Re: raising the calcium level
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<dshesnicky@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1166300851.150028.274270@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> I've posted previously the only numbers I have for the
> local water and the calcium level is low; in the 17-18
> ppm range. One reference I have stated that this level
> can lead to an oxalate haze and I do have haze problems
> with my two attempts at an AG. They're probably related
> to something else but what's the safest way to bring
> up the calcium level considering I don't have any pH
> strips to know which way the pH might be off.
>
> Levels posted previously are below. I've emailed
> asking for new numbers but no reply so far.
>
> Don
>
>>Ottawa, ON
>>Calcium (Ca) 17-18 ppm
>>Sulfate (SO4) 26 ppm
>>Magnesium (Mg) 2.4 ppm
>>Chloride (Cl) 5 ppm
>>Carbonate (CO3) 45 ppm
>>BiCarbonate ---
>>Sodium (Na) 15
>>Iron (Fe) 0.02
>>Copper (Cu) 3 ppb
>>Silicate (SiO2) 4.8
>>Zinc (Zn) 4 ppb
>>pH 8.4 - 8.8
>>THM ~40 ppb
Your water looks very soft. Your mash pH is probably fine. If you're
concerned about calcium, it looks like you could add about 1.5 teaspoons of
calcium chloride per 5 gallons. At this level of calcium chloride, the
chlorides won't affect the flavor or pH, in fact the beer might even taste
better. Add it to the mash. If you don't mind raising up the sulfates as
well, you could also throw in 1 teaspoon or so of gypsum. This would get
the calcium even higher and the pH lower. But if you add too much gypsum,
you could get a bitter bite from the sulfates, so don't go a lot higher than
a teaspoon, except perhaps for pale ales or the like, which are bitter
anyway. But I'd start with calcium chloride, which is mild and may even
enhance the flavor of the beer.
--
Dave
"Fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinking." -- Brad Paisley
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Date: 17 Dec 2006 07:13:18
From:
Subject: Re: raising the calcium level
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> Your water looks very soft. Your mash pH is probably fine. If you're
> concerned about calcium, it looks like you could add about 1.5 teaspoons of
> calcium chloride per 5 gallons.
<snip >
> But I'd start with calcium chloride, which is mild and may even
> enhance the flavor of the beer.
Sure enough my local wine&beer making store doesn't have
calcium chloride. They're pretty limited but have the basic malts,
a good selection of hops in vaccuum packed bags plus beer kits
but no calcium chloride. Somewhere else perhaps - pharmacy?
Don
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Date: 17 Dec 2006 07:02:32
From:
Subject: Re: raising the calcium level
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> Your water looks very soft. Your mash pH is probably fine. If you're
> concerned about calcium, it looks like you could add about 1.5 teaspoons of
> calcium chloride per 5 gallons.
<snip >
> But I'd start with calcium chloride, which is mild and may even
> enhance the flavor of the beer.
Sure enough my local wine&beer making store doesn't have
calcium chloride. They're pretty limited but have the basic malts,
a good selection of hops in vaccuum packed bags plus beer kits
but no calcium chloride. Somewhere else perhaps - pharmacy?
Don
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