Cleaning Boiler Elements.

[Robdog]

After cleaninig my 10 gallon boiler last night and letting it drain over night ive just checked and even after one use the elements are discloured. Ill looks a bit like limescale but im not sure what it is.

Whats the best thing i can do to clean them? Is there something i can just add to the boiler and soak over night to clean the elements? Id prefer no to remove them.

[adm]

I've successfully cleaned them (out of the boiler) with Citric Acid.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't just put a bucketfull of citric acid and water in there to clean them in situ. I'm not sure if the long term contact of an overnight soak would be a bad thing or not...

[Robdog]

Do you have to scrub them or just soak?

I was thinking just using normal limescale remover but im not sure if thats appropriate or not.

[adm]

Ideally, give them a scrub too - although if you soak them for a while you'll probably get away fine with just reaching into the boiler and having a gentle scrub with a soft scourer.

I don't know about limescale remover - as it's mainly burnt sugar you are trying to remove. Might be worth a try though.

[boingy]

Bar Keepers Friend:

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/bar-keeper's- ... oduct/8868

£2 a pot available in most supermarkets beside the polishes.

It's a powder. Wet the elements. Sprinkle BKF on a damp scouring pad and rub the elements. They come shiny with almost no effort. Also great on copper, stainless steel etc.

[spearmint-wino]

I've had success with limelight and cif bathroom, citric acid too but it was quite aggressive. Just be sure to rinse absolutely thoroughly, then rinse again. And maybe again. There should be no fragrance from the product evident as you don't want that in your beer

[boingy]

Bar Keepers Friend is non-abrasive. That is what makes it so special for metals. Oh, and apparently it is derived from Rhubarb extract. Go figure...

[boingy]

Sunglasses are quite a bit softer than heating elements. BKF is intended for metals, porcelain, glass and other hard materials. Maybe try a glasses cleaning wipe for your Raybans?

[sdcspeak]

I have found that soaking overnight in a strong vinegar solution, will soften the limescale to the point that you can just rub off the scale, also works well down the toilet pan !!!

[Robdog]

Cheers Lads.

Should i clean them everytime i use the boiler? Not sure if over cleaning will damage them at all.

[haz66]

After readaing this topic i decided to get some Citric Acid, it works wonders, before i just used a brillo pad but it took ages to get the gunk off, its not limescale as our water is very soft it was just the crap after boiling that was stuck to it, the Citric Acid removed it after about a 15min soak.

[Robdog]

May sound like a stupid question but how do you get the elements out of the boiler? Ive just tried turning the thing but if it is screw off then its onltight and i didnt want to risk breaking it.

Theres a couple of little screws in the plug side im thinking maybe i have to unscrew those?

[Robdog]

Thats the type ive got but mine seem fixed on. Im a bit heavy handed and dont want to break them but ive give it a good turn and it wont even budge.

Ill have to just fill the boiler up with warm water until the elements are covered and add the citric to the boiler.

[Robdog]

I just added hot water to the boiler so it covered the elements and then added fair bit of white wine vinegar. Left it 10 mins and they have now come clean with just a wipe of a dish cloth.

I have noticed thought the both elements have a few little dents in them, im thinking maybe the immersion chiller did it so ill have to be more careful next time.

[Robdog]

Check you aren't looking at the manufacturers stamps on the element. I leave my IC resting on the elements through out the boil and they don't have any dents.

As far as i can see they are very small dents. Nothing major like maybe they were already there when i had the boiler.