Mizusashi, water jug search

[Tead Off]

Drax,

It's hard to draw conclusions based on the tests that were done. But, I don't think it's conjecture about certain materials having an effect on the water. Most posters here are lay people when it comes to science. Just tea drinkers. Some of us may have better tasters (our mouths) than others and can discern differences in gear.

So, I think we need real scientific testing to satisfy those that are skeptical that clay or iron can change water taste. In the meantime, if you try bamboo charcoal in your water container, I think you will see a noticeable difference in the taste.

[betta]

OK, whether the metal leaching is true or not couldn't be proven unless you know the PPM meter you used is measuring what specifically.

My guess this PPM meter measures only anion content in your water, maybe only as bicarbonate (HCO3-) and carbonate (CO3 2-). OH- is most likely undetected because it is in the order of PPB.
It is true especially if the equipment is intended to be used to measure water hardness.

I think what's happening here is: the water you have is slightly basic (pH>7) and it absorbs atmospheric CO2 (acid). There're at least 380 PPM CO2 in the air and it becomes bicarbonate and carbonate when absorbed in water. When you stored water in the jar it reaches equilibrium with CO2 in couple of hours.
So increase of PPM ~ amount of absorbed CO2.

If significant amount of CO2 is absorbed, you should get change in pH value (towards lower value) but in your case the pH value didn't change much because of low amount of CO2 absorbed as well as limited equipment accuracy. Moreover pH measurement is frequently found not accurate and very sensitive.

Analogy: Your PPM meter is similar to a microscope while your pH meter is magnifying glass. Slight changes at microscopic level aren't noticable at macroscopic level.

It's all only a rough guess.

Good luck with your experiments

[Drax]

Betta's making the most sense about CO2 dissolving...

If you don't believe evaporation could be a big issue due to the surface area, then I don't see how you can argue that dissolving O2 would happen appreciably either.

I looked up the pH reader online and it looks like it's +/- 0.1 accurate.

My first recommendation would be to make 3 measurements when you measure. pH meters are notoriously finnicky, especially that type, where the bulb is up in a plastic housing.

In any case, you may not even be measuring what's really causing a difference. And even if you do measure a difference (like a 0.1 difference in pH), there's no guarantee that's going to cause any change in the taste of the water.

The only real, useful result out of this would be to run a bunch of blind taste tests. Preferably on people who don't know what's going on, so they can't try to "guess" at the samples they're tasting.....

[coloradopu]

I was not looking for a mizusashi, but a water storage container to let water be conditioned for 3 to 5 days before use.

Colorado-Pu quickly threw some together so I purchased one.

Sadly, I have not yet used it, my tap water seems to extra rich in Chlorine and Fluorine lately so I have been using Volvic for brewing.

I guess I need to buy a Brita to take tap water for Colorad-u's Jar.

did you use it yet

i just migrated back to the bar and tea table #1 were mine is
its still working fine

[Herb_Master]

did you use it yet

i just migrated back to the bar and tea table #1 were mine is
its still working fine

Sadly no, Every time I start out on a tea project, another tea project comes and supplants it at the top of the list

I have 3 or 4 projects in the pending tray

Meanwhile, I have to drink tea, buy more teaware and I have still not ordered any Charcoal to use in your water jar, or a brita filter

I am still using Bottled Volvic

[Drax]

Did either of you post pictures anywhere? I'm curious to see how they turned out!

[coloradopu]

Did either of you post pictures anywhere? I'm curious to see how they turned out!

here is herbs

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.ph ... d=16427929

and another i have on etsy

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?li ... d=25484165

[Drax]

Hey, very cool! How big is "big"? -- I see the ruler, but is the volume about 1/2 gallon...?

[coloradopu]

you will have to get with herb on the volume of his but the one on etsy is right at 1/2 gal

do you use one or do you know were to get bamboo charcoal

[Drax]

Right now I use a glass pitcher with a paper tower draped over it (very inelegant). I've been looking for something with a lid like what you show, but am debating on whether I want a gallon-sized one or not.

Right now I use a Brita filter (which uses activated carbon...) and pour it into the pitcher. Not sure if I would try the charcoal bamboo route, but who knows?

[cyberhoofer]

you will have to get with herb on the volume of his but the one on etsy is right at 1/2 gal

do you use one or do you know were to get bamboo charcoal

I'm a lucky one living in the country side. My water comes from 70 meters depth (a drilled well) and is totally free from chlorine & other additives. So I consider my water outstanding. However, having read so much about bamboo charcoal I decided to give it a try, just ordered some for a bargain from here:

http://stores.shop.ebay.com.my/Dinosaur ... mit=Search

and

http://stores.ebay.com.my/DinosaurHouse

There's also a very informative streaming video on bamboo charcoal(nearly 23 minutes long), at:

http://www.blacktonature.com/cctv_tech.shtml

Hope this helps a bit.

[coloradopu]

you will have to get with herb on the volume of his but the one on etsy is right at 1/2 gal

do you use one or do you know were to get bamboo charcoal

I'm a lucky one living in the country side. My water comes from 70 meters depth (a drilled well) and is totally free from chlorine & other additives. So I consider my water outstanding. However, having read so much about bamboo charcoal I decided to give it a try, just ordered some for a bargain from here:

http://stores.shop.ebay.com.my/Dinosaur ... mit=Search



what set of links man thanks



and

http://stores.ebay.com.my/DinosaurHouse

There's also a very informative streaming video on bamboo charcoal(nearly 23 minutes long), at:

http://www.blacktonature.com/cctv_tech.shtml

Hope this helps a bit.