Bird watchers shine

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akrandy
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Bird watchers shine

Post by akrandy »

What does the tomato past do and what do the lemons do? Is the past for Nutrients for the yeast?
Last edited by akrandy on Wed Jun 19, 2013 9:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Prairiepiss
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by Prairiepiss »

I'm sure it goes over that many times in that thread. But yes its for yeast nutrients. The lemon juice is for a little acid and more nutrients.
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akrandy
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by akrandy »

Thank you
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akrandy
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by akrandy »

Instead of using the juice of lemons how much lemon juice should I use instead? 3 tbsp per batch?
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CuWhistle
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by CuWhistle »

I use a pinch of citric acid in crystal form. Available from the baking supply section of the supermarket. Does the same thing and no mess.
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by Prairiepiss »

Lemon juice usually states how much it will replace. But a lemon usually gives me around an oz or two. Depending on the lemon.
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akrandy
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by akrandy »

I like the idea of Citric acid. I will give that a try so just a pinch?
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CuWhistle
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by CuWhistle »

Probably 1/2 a teaspoon. It's there to provide a lower pH (acid) so it will really depend on where your wash pH is to start with. Use a little more or less as required. I'll see if I can find a reference to amounts to substitute in place of juice.

edit:
So apparently Citric Acid mixed at 4% - 6% (4 - 6 g / 100mls) in water is about the same acidity as Lemon Juice. That's about 1 heaped teaspoon in 1/2 a cup. You might struggle to get 1/2 a cup of juice out of a really big wet lemon, so 1 level teaspoon of Citric Acid would be fair. I've only ever used a big healthy pinch (1/2 tsp) and my birdwatchers have worked out just fine.

As I said it will depend on the starting point of your water. Slightly acidic - use less, Neutral water - go the 1/2 tsp, slightly alkali - use the full tsp.
Last edited by CuWhistle on Wed Jun 19, 2013 6:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
akrandy
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by akrandy »

Awesome thank you.
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akrandy
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by akrandy »

So neutral water is 7 use 1/2 got it
Last edited by akrandy on Wed Jun 19, 2013 9:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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akrandy
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by akrandy »

And does the Citric acid or juice of lemons bring the pH balance up or down?
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akrandy
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by akrandy »

So if I did my reading correctly I need a ph balance 4.0-4.5? Is this correct?
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rad14701
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by rad14701 »

akrandy wrote:What shod the ph level be in the bird watchers Recipe. I read down the thread and could not find.
Most all yeast work best in the 4.2 - 5.2 range but can go as high as ~8 but will stall down under ~3.2... You need to worry more about the wash being too acidic than too base/alkaline...
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by CuWhistle »

akrandy wrote:And does the Citric acid or juice of lemons bring the pH balance up or down?

The pH scale is from 0 - 14. Low numbers are acidic, 7 is neutral and high numbers are base or alkali.
pH-scale.gif
akrandy
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Re: Bird watchers shine

Post by akrandy »

Awesome thanks guys for your help.
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