Jim's Beer Kit

That is a bit tricky. As you have already cleaned up the system I would try something like a 6-8% solution by weight heated to about 50 deg C and left to soak for about 6 hours cooling naturally. Leave the vessels inside to avoid over-cooling by cold draughts. That should do the job. I assume the pr...

This is a case of electrochemical corrosion accelerated by the water. Just what was in the water? Was there a cleaning solution present, was it treated in any way (RO for instance)? Obviously in the absence of any water solution the metals components were fine. When they were immersed in the ambient...

I always use a starter made with honey as my signature. I usually get the starter going 24 hours before pitching at around 25 -30 deg C and aim to pitch at 20-25 deg C. Its been a bit trickier of late with all the warm weather. The fermenters usually settle at something like 20-22 deg C.

The use of reporting water analyses in ppm CaCO3 dates back the the days of steam locomotives. In those days it was wet chemistry using burettes and few had the time or mental capacity to convert the results into the various ions. What the test results measured was effectively millimols or milliequi...

I have a Maxi 210. The instructions are very specific about not adding anything to the water. I would be hesitant with using a central heating corrosion inhibitor that is not fit for aluminium and even then I would be careful. Bleach would work for sterilising but make sure is is well flushed out af...

That suggests an infection of algae or bacteria, most likely the latter. Alternatively it could be copper corrosion debris. If it is soft and slimey then bacteria is likely, and if a malachite green hardish deposit then a copper salt is possible. Some Vanish (or equivalent) should shift any bacteria...

No need to panic. It will see you out as long as the container is not comprimised, which is unlikely. The only weak point is the seal in the cap. I have sulphuric acid that is 20 years old and is good as the day it was bottled.
Putting a use by date on a mineral acid is is a marketing ploy.

On the subject of chloramines these are used by some water co's as a disinfectant as a they are longer lived than chlorine (actually hypochlorite) in aqueous solutions. Chloramines are pH sensitive and behave a little like carbon dioxide in water. Above pH 7 monochloramine dominates; pH 4-7 dichlora...

On the subject of chloramines these are used by some water co's as a disinfectant as a they are longer lived than chlorine (actually hypochlorite) in aqueous solutions. Chloramines are pH sensitive and behave a little like carbon dioxide in water. Above pH 7 monochloramine dominates; pH 4-7 dichlora...

I will defer to Eric and Aleman on the use of HCl and H2SO4. They have more than adequately covered the subject. As of late obtaining sulphuric acid has become more troublesome. eBay has numerous sellers of battery acid which is about 30% strength, more than adequate for our needs. I would not be to...

I have made hundreds of litres of mead mainly from washed cappings. In your case with the comb you will need to open it up. Get a baking tray and a sharp knife and uncap the honey. As you will not own an extractor probably the best option would be to scrape the honey off the frame with an ice cream ...

Don't drink it too quickly. It is still young and will probably get better with a bit more ageing.

VWP is based on sodium dichloroisocyanurate which is a chlorine release agent. It will like PBW be an effective sterilising agent. Most likely it will be buffered, again like PBW, with silicates and carbonates. These act a cleansers. In both cases good rinsing is suggested to avoid issues. When you ...

I will do my best to keep this simple. I assume that you used the Salifert Total Hardness test. This basically measures both calcium and magnesium( and some other trace cations). From your water analysis you should have an idea of the calcium : magnesium as the individual ion. The magnesium is usual...

If they have been kept in an airtight container and are not crumbling then they should be alright. They are sodium metabisulphite which will only react slowly with air in a humid environment. Even if they are a bit rough around the edges they will probably be alright. They are normally bound with a ...