APERA INSTRUMENTS / PH850-BR / AI5533

From brew bench to sample cup.
Keep pH checks consistent.

PH850-BR pairs the PH850 Value-series portable meter with the refillable LabSen 213 glass pH/temperature electrode. It is the beverage-oriented configuration for beer, wine, juice, kombucha, coffee and compatible general aqueous solutions, with direct readings rather than electronic sample storage.

Choose BR for a repeatable beverage sampling routine and a separately maintained production or laboratory log. LabSen 213 provides integrated temperature measurement and a maintainable 3M KCl reference. This is a glass liquid-sample electrode, not a spear probe for grain beds, fruit or solid ingredients.

An electrode selected for beverages

LabSen 213 combines an S-type hemispherical sensing membrane, a ceramic junction and a Long-Life reference. The refillable 3M KCl system supports routine aqueous sample measurement. Its lead-free glass body is 12 mm in diameter with a 120 mm specified length; handle it as laboratory glassware rather than a stirring tool.

Temperature measured at the probe

LabSen 213 incorporates an NTC 30 kΩ temperature sensor. The meter displays temperature alongside pH and supports automatic compensation. This corrects the electrode response, not the sample’s chemistry. A warm sample can genuinely differ from the same sample after cooling, so report temperature with pH.

Portable controls without a software workflow

The LCD provides a stability symbol and completed-calibration indicators. A protective sleeve, fold-out stand and IP57 instrument enclosure support portable use. Automatic buffer recognition and selectable stability criteria help standardize operation, while the operator remains responsible for calibration quality, clean connections and a separate record of each result.

Know what this configuration supplies.

Brewing and fermentation samples

Follow pH in collected beer, wort or kombucha samples using a consistent sampling and temperature routine. Avoid pressing the glass electrode into a grain bed or using it to break up solids. Sampling stage, treatment and temperature should be recorded so that readings can be compared meaningfully.

Wine and juice preparation

Measure suitable aqueous wine and juice samples after calibration with buffers appropriate to the expected range. Rinse between samples to reduce carryover, and inspect the junction for residues. The electrode is not intended for prolonged exposure to dehydrating media such as absolute ethanol.

Coffee and warm beverage work

The specified operating envelope permits suitable warm liquid measurements up to 100°C. The maximum rating is not a recommendation to test every drink at boiling temperature. Establish a repeatable sample temperature, handle hot liquid safely and wait for both temperature and pH to stabilize.

Standardize the sample.
Then compare the readings.

Connect the blue BNC plug for pH and the black RCA plug for temperature. Remove the storage bottle, rinse the sensing end with distilled or deionized water, and open the blue refill plug so electrolyte can flow. Inspect the reference level before starting. A newly connected LabSen 213 requires at least a two-point calibration before measurement.

The PH850 recognizes USA or NIST buffers and supports one to three calibration points. In USA mode, begin with pH 7.00 and add suitable points for the expected sample range. Use fresh portions of buffer and rinse between solutions. Do not pour used buffer back into its bottle; a displayed calibration indicator cannot establish that a contaminated standard was valid.

Use the same collection point, preparation and target measurement temperature when comparing beverage batches. Where your method calls for cooling or degassing, perform it consistently rather than changing treatment between samples. Immerse the sensing membrane and junction adequately, allow the reading to settle, and use the stability symbol as an aid rather than an automatic pass/fail decision.

Maintain the 3M KCl reference.
Keep the sensing end hydrated.

When the reference solution falls to about half the electrode height, refill through the opening with 3M KCl. The LabSen 213 instructions specify 3M KCl for both reference refill and external soaking, with AI1107 identified for storage. Do not substitute Protelyte solely because another beverage or food electrode uses it.

Rinse sample residue from the electrode before and after use. Return it to the storage bottle containing clean 3M KCl, tighten the cap and close the refill plug. Replace contaminated or insufficient solution. Pure water is appropriate for rinsing, not long-term storage. Keep the BNC and RCA connectors clean and dry even though the instrument itself has an IP57 rating.

For tough contamination, the exact electrode manual specifies Apera AI1166 cleaner for 30 minutes, gentle removal with a soft brush, then at least one hour in 3M KCl. Rinse and recalibrate before measuring again. Do not scrape the glass membrane. The electrode manual advises avoiding strong acids, strong alkalis and dehydrating media such as absolute ethanol. Do not assume compatibility from the stated pH range alone.

A stable reading is the start of the record.

Use the physical controls for on-meter measurement and calibration. HOLD temporarily locks a reading on screen; write the result and its sample context in your external worksheet or record system. Screen values in photographs are illustrative, not sample results.

Use calibration solutions and settings appropriate to the parameter and fitted electrode. Temperature compensation does not make different sample temperatures, preparation methods or chemistry equivalent. Follow the model-specific meter and electrode instructions before extending the method to a new sample.

A readable result, not a stored sample record.

PH850 is a direct-reading Value-series instrument. Its current specification lists reading storage, storage content and output as N/A. Choose a separate recordkeeping method before starting a sample series; this meter does not supply stored-reading recall or a computer export workflow.

Optional automatic HOLD freezes a stable reading on the display. It helps with transcription but does not save the sample or create a timestamped entry. Record sample identity, pH, measured temperature, operator and your own date and time while the result is still associated with the correct vessel.

Retain buffer details, calibration checks and electrode-care observations alongside the sample result. For work governed by a quality procedure, use the organization’s approved worksheet and acceptance rules. The kit does not itself establish traceability, food safety, pharmaceutical release status or regulatory compliance.