Brassware.
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- Lost in an Alcoholic Haze
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:28 pm
- Location: North Tawton
Brassware.
Hi Fellas,
I want to do a bit of modifying to my set up and want to add a tee after the tap on my MT.
A Stainless Steel one is less than £3 from angel homebrew and brew builder but with the postage it's around £8!
Well, I'm a gas engineer and have brass fittings, they're suitable for use on potable water.
I was having a moan in my LHBS that they don't stock SS fitting and I was going to use brass and he said it was a bad idea!
So why? They're suitable for potable water?
Thanks for any replies.
I want to do a bit of modifying to my set up and want to add a tee after the tap on my MT.
A Stainless Steel one is less than £3 from angel homebrew and brew builder but with the postage it's around £8!
Well, I'm a gas engineer and have brass fittings, they're suitable for use on potable water.
I was having a moan in my LHBS that they don't stock SS fitting and I was going to use brass and he said it was a bad idea!
So why? They're suitable for potable water?
Thanks for any replies.
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- Drunk as a Skunk
- Posts: 996
- Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2012 11:12 pm
- Location: Garden of England
Re: Brassware.
potable water isn't acidic. wort is. acids leech the surface lead from brass fittings
i believe (but you probably know with your line of work) WRAS approved brass has to be lead free, whereas gas usage doesn't neccessarily.
did he not explain why it was a bad idea or just repeat something he'd heard from someone.. ?!
i believe (but you probably know with your line of work) WRAS approved brass has to be lead free, whereas gas usage doesn't neccessarily.
did he not explain why it was a bad idea or just repeat something he'd heard from someone.. ?!
dazzled, doused in gin..
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- Lost in an Alcoholic Haze
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:28 pm
- Location: North Tawton
Re: Brassware.
The fittings I have are WRAS approved so shouldn't have any lead in them.jaroporter wrote:potable water isn't acidic. wort is. acids leech the surface lead from brass fittings
i believe (but you probably know with your line of work) WRAS approved brass has to be lead free, whereas gas usage doesn't neccessarily.
did he not explain why it was a bad idea or just repeat something he'd heard from someone.. ?!
The only thing he said was brass was ok if it was anodised!
Vacant! You're a star! Cheers!!vacant wrote:pipework suppliers?
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- Lost in an Alcoholic Haze
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Re: Brassware.
wow , that site's ace, cheers vacant
Re: Brassware.
I found them on eBay, buying direct from their web site was a bit cheaper for the bits I needed at the time.
I brew therefore I ... I .... forget
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- Steady Drinker
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2016 3:26 pm
Re: Brassware.
The quote below is copied from the metallurgy section of John Plamers 'How to Brew' website. He explains how to wash brass fittings to remove the surface lead and that this only needs to be done once. In the book version he also mentions that if you don't choose to wash the lead off using the solution, the amount of lead is so miniscule it is insignificant to health.
"Cleaning Brass
Some brewers use brass fittings in conjunction with their wort chillers or other brewing equipment and are concerned about the lead that is present in brass alloys. A solution of two parts white vinegar to one part hydrogen peroxide (common 3% solution) will remove tarnish and surface lead from brass parts when they are soaked for 5 minutes or less at room temperature. The brass will turn a buttery yellow color as it is cleaned. If the solution starts to turn green and the brass darkens, then the parts have been soaking too long and the copper in the brass is beginning to dissolve, exposing more lead. The solution has become contaminated and the part should be re-cleaned in a fresh solution."
I take his word for it so never bothered washing my brass fittings and have had no adverse reactions. Now I'd better go and catch the unicorn that just flew through my living room window
"Cleaning Brass
Some brewers use brass fittings in conjunction with their wort chillers or other brewing equipment and are concerned about the lead that is present in brass alloys. A solution of two parts white vinegar to one part hydrogen peroxide (common 3% solution) will remove tarnish and surface lead from brass parts when they are soaked for 5 minutes or less at room temperature. The brass will turn a buttery yellow color as it is cleaned. If the solution starts to turn green and the brass darkens, then the parts have been soaking too long and the copper in the brass is beginning to dissolve, exposing more lead. The solution has become contaminated and the part should be re-cleaned in a fresh solution."
I take his word for it so never bothered washing my brass fittings and have had no adverse reactions. Now I'd better go and catch the unicorn that just flew through my living room window
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- Steady Drinker
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- Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2016 3:26 pm
Re: Brassware.
Excellent website too. I'll be getting my fittings from there from now on
Re: Brassware.
not sure if this helps, but I am subjected to yearly blood lead tests through work. I am exposed to lead residues every day at work and use several brass fittings on my 3V setup. I've never had a raised blood lead level so...
Planning: BrewEasy system build; possibly a Wychwood Hobgoblin Gold clone
Fermenting: Simcoe SMASH
Drinking: Cascade Centennial Pale
Fermenting: Simcoe SMASH
Drinking: Cascade Centennial Pale
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- Lost in an Alcoholic Haze
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- Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:28 pm
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Re: Brassware.
Thanks to everyone for the input especially PoppaZombie, great bit of info there!
I got my fittings from pipework suppliers in the end as the prices were so good!
Postage was very fair and delivered within a few days. Thanks for sharing Vacant!
I got my fittings from pipework suppliers in the end as the prices were so good!
Postage was very fair and delivered within a few days. Thanks for sharing Vacant!