What is the best method for testing the pH of your solutions? Will regular pH strips like I used in high school chemistry class work, or is that too inaccurate? I'm considering getting an actual digital reader but for my first extraction attempt I want to try to keep the overall cost pretty low before I dive head in and start really extracting on a more complicated level.

Hi, I'll resume this topic since i'd love to figure out more about pH testing.

i checked this topic
https://www.dmt-nexus.me...&m=100474#post100474

but it'd be nice to know the logic behind pH testers, whether electronic or strips... how do you test the amount of free H+ in a solution?

Also I see on ebay several electronic pH testers named like Electric Pocket Digital Ph Meter Tester Hydroponics Pen Aquarium Pool Water Test that go as cheap as 6 GBP. according to what 69ron was saying i'd expect them to go bad pretty soon but for that price it's not too bad. what do u guys think?

here i copy and paste the details of this one im looking at

Item specifics
Condition:
New: A brand-new, unused, unopened and undamaged item in original retail packaging (where packaging is applicable). If the item comes direct from a manufacturer, it may be delivered in non-retail packaging, such as a plain or unprinted box or plastic bag. See the seller's listing for full details. See all condition definitions
Brand: SM
EAN: 6068858068058 MPN: SM8058
Test range: 0.0 - 14.0pH Type: PH Meter
Resolution: 0.1pH Material: Plastic
Accuracy: ± 0.1pH( at 20°C/ 68°F) Colour: Yellow

Personally I hate PH strips, they only give you a range and I like the comfort of a digital read out. Honestly though for the purpose of extractions you're probably fine.

That being said I bought a 16$ electric PH tester like 4 years ago and it's still going strong and I use it for Aquarium testing, hydroponics work, and now this.

To each their own, the only thing to note with PH strips is some of them come in a range so you may need to buy multiple types of strips or a kit to test acidified and basified solutions. Also electric ones are not maintenance free, you'll need to buy calibration powders to adjust them every once in a while, and have distilled water on hand for that as well.

As for the cheap ones not lasting forever it really is up to you, if you take care of the electrode and don't let it dry out they last just fine.

Just my two cents,
Nobody.

I'd like to add a question as well:

I found an old pH meter among my various items, as shown in the attached picture. It has a coaxial attachment for a pH probe. Would a modern pH probe still be compatible with this virtual antique? The electronics inside are very simple and I would guess that the basic principles of pH metering function would not require anything fancy even to this day.

You can look for narrow range pH papers. These are more accurate then lithmus papers and yet cheaper than electronic meter.

I am using Hanna Checker Plus ($ 41.00) - it is autocalibrating (you just need one or two buffer solutions for calibration, possibly also storage solution - but the bottles will last for very long).

I found the pH papers useful when need to quickly check very hot solution (as the pH meter should not be used in temperatures over ~50 deg C).

Like these (another vintage find!)

Wow.