PANIC!

[yeasty]

Took the day off today and decided to get on with another brew. I have just transferred 25l to my Bruheat boiler and the dam thing won't boil! it sounds like the safety feature keeps cutting in. It will start to boil then after about 2 mins it cuts out. 5 mins later it comes on again. etc. etc.

How long can I keep this wart unboiled in the boiler or FV until I get it fixed? Any other suggestions? don't think I have enough pans to boil it all on the stove.

[adm]

If you can transfer it into an FV either via a tap or by siphon (doesn't need to be sanitised) then do so - then you can take the element out of the boiler and give it a good clean. Sugars from the wort get burnt on to the elements and cause it to trip the cutout. Once it's cleaned, put it back in and carry on as normal.

I had this happen a month or so ago.......with 5 gallons of porter and hops in the boiler. Very messy, but I fixed it in the end.

With the electric elements, you need to make sure to clean them well every couple of boils (preferably every time) to stop the crud building up....

[yeasty]

Om with it now. Thanks adm

[yeasty]

Panic over!..

Just refilled the boiler after a clean and it seems to have done the job. Thanks again

[ChrisG]

I'v done 6 brews so far with my boiler and really need to clean the elements. Whats best to use one them?

[Madbrewer]

i've not found anything better than a brillo pad to clean with - but in reality it's quite a harsh way of doing it

[adm]

It seems to work well if you sit them in a jug of hot water with citric acid dissolved in it for a while, then just a gentle scrub to get the clag off.

"Barkeeper's Friend" is also good - I think that uses oxycalic acid.

[yeasty]

I just used a pan scourer and gave it a good rub. Came up like new. I will keep up to it now to avoid this happening again.

[Andy]

A hot, strong citric acid solution does the job nicely.

[HG]

Daab's got a thread on this at

viewtopic.php?t=7620

had the same problems once but clean mine every time now

[awalker]

Happend to me on Sunday as well, seems to be more of a problem with higher wort ABV as well i.e. More sugar.

So I am going to gas burner now, its just too much of a pain to keep emptying a boiler to clean the element mid boil.
Especially as I am now getting into some nice strong Xmas beers.