Cleaning copper pipes, inside and out.

[Cazamodo]

I have just made a herms coil, and return manifold out of copper pipe and fittings. Now I soldered these all up, and they are filthy.... There is probably still flux residue inside the pipes and they look a state. Now I can give the outside of them all a good scrub, but is there anything that will clean the copper up inside, without reacting with it? Im mainly thinking of my HERMS coil.

[jonnyt]

Just pump hot water through it and it will be fine. Add a little Oxy if you want.

[Cazamodo]

I sat recirculating oxy through for a while but they still have the dirt on from soldering them is still on them, and I cant get inside to give it a scrub.

[Martin G]

For peace of mind, what about making up a small amount of strong wort solution with DME and running it through the system at a very hot setting. Just a thought, bit like cooking an onion on a new frying pan.

[jonnyt]

I think you are being over panicky.

Simply being flushed out with hot water is enough otherwise we would never drink out of a tap. I've always found a quick flush with hot water removes the flux.

However a Citric Acid or Vinegar solution will make the copper shine!