Using RO Water

[Gobbblin]

I have really hard well water at my house so we use a water softener system but from what I've heard it basically just replaces minerals with salt. I have done several all grain batches with pretty good results but I would really like to improve my beer. There is a RO system at a plaza by my house that sells by the gallon for $0.25 so I am gonna go there and fill up a few carboys but from what I've read I will need to add some minerals back to the RO water. Is there a basic rule of thumb about adding minerals when using RO water? Or is it kinda depending on what you brew?

[grapeadmin]

It depends on what you brew but a general rule of thumb would be to add 50-100 ppm of calcium (either in the form of gypsum or calcium chloride). By having the 50-100 ppm of calcium, you should get a good mash pH and a good pH of the wort prior to the boil for the hot break.

thanks
john

[Gobbblin]

Thanks for the response. So would I just add those minerals to the mash water before mashing? Would I be adding any minerals to the wort in the boil kettle?

[grapeadmin]

Add the minerals to the mash water and the sparge water. Then you will not have to add anything prior to the boil.

thanks
john

[petey mcgee]

I use gallons of spring water from the store. Would it benefit me to add minerals?

[grapeadmin]

Hard to say unless you find out what the mineral content of the water is. It also depends on what style you are brewing. You may be able to find the info (Calcium, carbonates, sulfates, etc...) on the website of the bottler or you can have it analysed for a nominal fee.

thanks
john
g and g

[Gobbblin]

Could I just cut my softened well water with about 50/50 RO or would I still be lacking minerals or be too high in salt content...due to the softener. What type of water do you like to use?

Thanks,
Jake

[grapeadmin]

I think diluting your water 50-50 with ro or distilled would likely be ok. Again, without knowing the numbers it would be hard to say for sure but in all likelyhood it would be ok.

I like to brew with akron city water. It is a bit low in calcium but other than that it is a good all around brewing water. Here is a link to the numbers. http://www.grapeandgranary.com/ggrecpdf/clevewater.jpg
Cleveland and Akron water are almost identical.

thanks
john
g and g