More ball valve horrors

[guypettigrew]

Having posted about the revolting mess inside my boiler's three piece ball valve I was motivated to strip down the two valves on my SS Brewtech 7 gallon chronical fermenter.

It's 2 1/2 years since I bought it. All I've ever done is dump the two valves in a bucket of Starsan between fermentations.

Today the error of my ways was brought home to me. The 1/2" valve ( the one with the racking tube, part way up the cone) was vile. Some sort of brown/red mould was growing on the seat rings (thanks for the correct term, Jocky) and the ball and its housing had a thin coating of who knows what all over them.

The 3/4" bottom valve was a bit better. But not much.

Both have now been thoroughly cleaned and Starsan'd.

The 1/2" valve is the one I use to pump the wort into the FV. The 3/4" valve is used to harvest yeast.

As said in my original post, goodness only knows how it's been possible to make drinkable beers.

But now I have high hopes for my next brew. Plus, of course, my cleaning regime will be changed forever.

Guy

[Fil]

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