Can anyone reccomend a reliable aW Meter?
Can anyone reccomend a reliable aW Meter?
Looking for a reliable aW meter and having the worst time trying to source one. If you are familiar with one would you please provide a link to the site for purchase?\
Thanks a million
Eric
Thanks a million
Eric
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Yes, you just stick some meat in the cup and place it the kit over it and it will read the aW within a couple minutes. Somewhere there is a thread on the board where I did a comparison showing the change in the aW compared to the shrink of salami and the recommendation of a loss of 30% to be shelf stable is pretty dead on with what the water loss would be. Actually, I believe the 30% is more than plenty to be shelf stable so unless you just HAVE to know its not really necessary to use anything other than what has been done for eons when making charcuterie products.
I don't remember what they cost but it will hurt your feelings bad.
I don't remember what they cost but it will hurt your feelings bad.
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Eric, FWIW, I haven't tested any recipes posted on this forum or in Marianski's books where the Aw wasn't at an acceptable level when the recipe was followed. In fact, many times they became shelf stable sooner than the recommended weight loss suggested.cajuneric wrote:That's what I thought. I heard they were expensive. Thanks for the help. I think 35 % should be good enough
Eric
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OH MY!!!!
That is wild. I sent them an email to find out for myself and in case someone is curious about obtaining one here is what they sent me..
You would have to contact metergroup.com
Good afternoon Eric,
Thanks for requesting information about our Pawkit water activity meter. I'll be happy to send you a formalized quote and help guide you to the best options for accessories with a few quick questions. Can you tell me more about your samples and the type of measurements you're looking to make? Do your samples contain volatiles like acetic acid, alcohol, or PG? Also, what is the water activity range you will be testing in?
The AQUALAB Pawkit ($2,400) is a portable device originally designed for food safety inspectors needing a quick water activity reading on the go. The Pawkit is low maintenance, easy to use, and has an accuracy of ±0.02 aw.
The accessories you will need for the Pawkit are the sample cups ($203) and 2 different verification standards ($100 each) that bracket the range you are working in and are used to verify the calibration of your Pawkit.
I`ve also linked Fundamentals of Water Activity a helpful introduction to water activity testing.
I look forward to working with you in the future.
Thanks again Eric for your interest in our instrumentation - have a nice rest of your day!
That is wild. I sent them an email to find out for myself and in case someone is curious about obtaining one here is what they sent me..
You would have to contact metergroup.com
Good afternoon Eric,
Thanks for requesting information about our Pawkit water activity meter. I'll be happy to send you a formalized quote and help guide you to the best options for accessories with a few quick questions. Can you tell me more about your samples and the type of measurements you're looking to make? Do your samples contain volatiles like acetic acid, alcohol, or PG? Also, what is the water activity range you will be testing in?
The AQUALAB Pawkit ($2,400) is a portable device originally designed for food safety inspectors needing a quick water activity reading on the go. The Pawkit is low maintenance, easy to use, and has an accuracy of ±0.02 aw.
The accessories you will need for the Pawkit are the sample cups ($203) and 2 different verification standards ($100 each) that bracket the range you are working in and are used to verify the calibration of your Pawkit.
I`ve also linked Fundamentals of Water Activity a helpful introduction to water activity testing.
I look forward to working with you in the future.
Thanks again Eric for your interest in our instrumentation - have a nice rest of your day!
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- Butterbean
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Wasn't to many years ago these were selling for $600 and there was another company making them also. The bureacracy won against reasonable objections of some of the meat scientists who argued against the need for this and the other company is now gone and prices have skyrocketed. Monopolies are a beautiful thing are they not? (If you are the monopoly and you have government regulatiors on your sales staff.)
On a bright note I saw some desktop models yesterday on Amozon selling for $1200. Chinese models I think but they looked pretty nice with measurements in the thousandths.
On a bright note I saw some desktop models yesterday on Amozon selling for $1200. Chinese models I think but they looked pretty nice with measurements in the thousandths.
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Re:
when you mean cryovac do you mean freezeing it or keeping it at fridge temp?Butterbean wrote: ↑Fri Mar 02, 2018 04:21It just depends. The flavors and aromas seem to change some as it dries. Personally I don't like things too dry and enjoy things more "moist". Usually when I find what's appealing to me I will stop the drying and cryovac to try and save that texture and flavor.