PH Meter

[WigBag]

Santa left a PH meter in my stocking for Christmas, so I feel the urge to check what is happening on the lottie. Having looked at the instructions it seems to be very simple - has anyone found them useful? Mention was made of a special cleaning in between readings, how scrupulous does this have to be?

WigBag

[Monika]

Hello Wigbag, I have used one in the past but was not too convinced by the readings. Without wanting to upset Santa, I must admit I find the little test kits with glass tubes and chemicals more precise.

[Geoff]

I would have thought a good wash in distilled water (also known as ice box defrostings) would do the trick. If it shows 7.0 in some more of this after washing you are fine.

[Tony Hague]

Sorry to say it, but my experience of these is that they do not work.

Mine read acid in everything I tried - including a paste of garden lime and
water.

I'm not sure how these things stay on the market.

[Geoff]

Must depend on the model. Proper pH meters are more accurate than judging coloured strips. Must admit I make up my samples at home then take them into the lab at work and use the regularly checked and calibrated meter.

[Johnboy]

I cannot say anything about the cheap models but mine is a professional model and it has given exceedingly accurate readings for more than 20 years.
A friend tested his cheap model against my readings and it was actually quite accurate but I feel that you pays your money and takes your chance. His probe was cleaned with a kind of 'Scotchbright' pad prior to every reading.
My meter cost more than £150.00. all those years ago. I'm afraid that I cannot even give you the name of mine as the name was on paper stickers and they first faded then fell off the machine altogether.
JB.