Is my copper wort chiller still good?

Question

Is my copper wort chiller still good?

Drew

2018年7月24日 14:10

I haven't had the chance to brew in about two years and I've been storing my copper wort chiller in a storage locker for most of that time. Upon moving and retrieving it yesterday, it's got some really interesting coloration on it. The bronzed color is worn off in little splotches and circles here and there. I'm not sure what caused it (be it storage with too much access to the air or improper cleaning the only time I used it).

I have a couple of questions:

Is it still good?
If it is, do I just want to clean it as outlined here or will I need to do something special because of that? cleaning copper
Will these spots, where it almost looks oxidized or as though paint has chipped off, cause any potential problems with brewing or flavor?

Thanks a bunch!

Topic wort-chiller copper off-flavor equipment homebrew

Category Mac

James · Accepted Answer · 2018年7月24日 14:10

"I would not use PBW on Copper. It contains hydrogen Peroxide which is something you do not want in contact with copper. Using PBW with copper is asking for trouble."

I don't agree with this.

Sodium Percarbonate, which is perfect for cleaning copper, dissolved in water, yields a mixture of hydrogen peroxide (which eventually decomposes to water and oxygen) and sodium carbonate ("soda ash").

[1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_percarbonate

SimpleTun · Accepted Answer · 2016年3月31日 06:21

1

SimpleTun answered at 2016年3月31日 06:21

Make a paste with Bar Keepers Friend it is cheap. Rub it all over the chiller then wait a few mins and rinse. The oxalic acid is safe for cleaning copper and works well.

user12757 · Accepted Answer · 2015年10月5日 00:57

old post, i know, but....

i run about a gallon of boiling water through mine before use, then sanitized water. as soon as im done, i flush with water. i run another gallon of boiling water (slow and over about 5 - 10 min) making sure the counter water is emptied. after that i blow compressed air through both sides if the chiller so there is no standing water left over.

Tom Carchrae · Accepted Answer · 2013年7月29日 14:24

You don't want to clean a copper chiller so it is shiny - if you remove the dull color (stable oxide), the metal is more likely to react and form the toxic blue-green oxide (verdigris).

http://byo.com/stories/projects-and-equipment/item/1144-metallurgy-for-homebrewers

Copper is relatively inert to both wort and beer. With regular use, it will build up a stable oxide layer (dull copper color) that will protect it from any further interaction with the wort. Only minimal cleaning to remove surface grime, hop bits and wort protein is necessary. There is no need to clean copper shiny-bright after every use or before contact with your wort. It is better if the copper is allowed to form a dull copper finish with use.

However, you need to be aware that copper can develop a toxic blue-green oxide called verdigris. Verdigris includes several chemical compounds — cupric acetate, copper sulfate, cupric chloride, etc. — and these blue-green compounds should not be allowed to contact your beer or any other food item because they are readily soluble in weakly acidic solutions (like beer), and can lead to copper poisoning (i.e., nausea, vomiting). To clean heavy oxidation (black) and verdigris, use vinegar or oxalic acid-based cleansers like Revereware Copper and Stainless Steel cleanser.

For regular cleaning of copper and brass, unscented dish detergent or sodium percarbonate-based cleaners are preferred. Cleaning and sanitizing copper wort chillers with bleach solutions is not recommended. Oxidizers like bleach and hydrogen peroxide quickly cause copper and brass to blacken; these oxides do not protect the surface from further corrosion, and are quickly dissolved by the acidic wort. Copper and other trace metals are beneficial nutrients for yeast, but the amounts that are dissolved from non-passive oxides can be detrimental to the batch.

Copper counterflow wort chillers should not be stored full of sanitizer or water. Any biological deposits can lead to corrosion in both water or sanitizer. Copper should be rinsed thoroughly with clean water and allowed to drain before storage.

muck41 · Accepted Answer · 2013年7月22日 23:04

1

muck41 answered at 2013年7月22日 23:04

After every 10 or so brews, I soak mine in powdered brewery wash (PBW), goes in with a rainbow of colors comes out looking like new. Plus, no elbow grease required.

Scott · Accepted Answer · 2013年7月22日 16:52

As long as it isn't rusted and/or leaking, you're probably fine. If it were me, I'd take some polish to it and make sure to rinse it thoroughly afterwards just to be certain. You may not have to, but my perfectionism would scream at me for any mistakes in the flavor of the beer, even if it had nothing to do with the chiller.
I vividly remember having to spend hours polishing brass in the military with the previously linked Brasso, which was seemingly capable of removing any tarnish the metal could throw at me, so I'd imagine it could gnaw right through any oxidized blotches you might have on your chiller.

Like I said, just make sure you rinse it after you polish it, probably would help to run it over with a wet rag just to make sure, but it should do the job perfectly.

EDIT: Just realized copper doesn't rust, so you're safe in that regard.

Is my copper wort chiller still good?

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