Acids

[Kev888]

I sometimes use vinegar for cleaning stubborn things like flux and 'very occasional' use for a deep clean on copper, it can be very effective. But I'm not that happy about vinegar near beer equipment and it smells, and isn't that cost effective in larger volumes. So I'm thinking there must be other/better forms of acid for cleaning and/or sanitising - for instance I was just reading about perecetic acid as a no-rinse sanitiser.

I seem to constantly regret my lack of chemistry knowledge these days. Is there a source of info on the various acids available to the home brewer and how we can obtain them, or has anyone got favourites that they use?

Thanks
Kev

[prolix]

I use citric acid to clean some bits, especially elements.

[Kev888]

Ah yes, I remember adding that to wine in a past life but haven't tried it for cleaning. What sort of rate/dose do you use?

Cheers
Kev

[Aleman]

Can't use peracetic on anything copper

[Kev888]

Ah, thats important to know, thanks. Mostly my kit is stainless or plastic these days, but the HLT and some of the piping is copper. Its probably just as important to know what not to use as it is to know what can be used!

Cheers
kev

[leedsbrew]

A bottle of lemon juice and half a cup of salt brought the inside of my hot water cylinder HLT up a treat, as well as some odds and sods of copper pipe!

[Kev888]

I'll bet it smells a lot better than the vinegar I've been using too

Cheers
Kev

[speedtripledan]

I use citric acid for descaling my elements works A treat, coke a cola is good for cleaning pennies would that work on the copper bits ?

[Dennis King]

+1 for citric.

[Kev888]

Great, its looking like citric is definately one to try - what sort of quantities/strengths work well?

Cheers
kev

[speedtripledan]

find a teaspoon of citric powder in a jug is enough..

[Kev888]

Thanks, sounds quite econimical too then - will definately get some in.

Cheers
kev