Would anyone care to share the ph levels for a cheddar?  I plan to do one in the next couple of weeks after my meter gets here.  Thanks.  Kim

I use 5.6 at drain.

Thanks so much GCM, I appreciate it.  I have also been looking at Peter Dixon’s site to try and glean knowledge about this craft.  I really want to produce a quality cheese at home.  So far with the exception of feta, and Neuchatel, and a Swiss, mine have been on the dry crumbly side.  Tasted okay, like cheese, but not the texture that one would expect.  I received my ph meter yesterday, and now am waiting for the buffer solutions.  Once they arrive I will be good to go.

You’re going to love it - it will change your cheese making experience.  Remember, you’re attempting to reach a pH target now, and the time schedule in the recipe is of much less consequence.

My meter showed up yesterday, now I am waiting on the buffer solution.  Coming from California and I live in Michigan.  Usually 6 to 7 days…sigh!

I think I posted these somewhere before… But it’s
add rennet at 6.45-6.5,
drain whey at 6.1,
start milling at 5.5.
Finish milling and salt at 5.4.
Final out of press should be 4.9-5.1.

Rich, you drain at 5.6? How does it come out?

Thanks linuxboy.  Certainly appreciate the input.

Make sure u keep it moist, even if u have filtered water, better then nothing.

I’m thinking the buffers will show up in the next day or so.  So should my new rennet, maybe today.  Hope so anyway.  I bought the frozen dry calf rennet from the cheese maker in Wisconsin.  He indicates that if kept frozen it will not degrade.  Bought enough for 470 gallons of milk, so I better get busy! 

I dare you to use all that rennet in under a year!

I don’t know if I get enough milk money from my wife. 

Time to open up a stand in the farmers market LOL

I would caution you from buying buffer solutions in large quantities. They do have a shelf life of about 1 year after opening and that’s assuming minimal exposure to oxygen. In reality it’s probably closer to 6-9 months. Unless you are using your meter a lot, I would buy the single use packets. Your PH meter electrode should be replaced at least every 12 months but ideally closer to every 6-9 months. Don’t skimp on your PH meter, buy the best you can afford. Like many other things, you get what you pay for with this type of equipment.