Cleaning boilers / lauter

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bitter_dave
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Cleaning boilers / lauter

Post by bitter_dave » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:35 pm

Any advice on cleaning boilers (my boiler did not come with instructions)? My first boil has really taken the shine of the element, although i guess that's pretty normal. Before the boil I took the advice of the home-brew-shop-guy and did a quick clean / sterilise (VWP) - quick so as to not damage the element too much.

My 'lauter' - two 30 litre fermenting bins with the inner one with 2mm holes drilled in the base - was a bit of a disapointment. Black malt got stuck in the holes, clogging it up when I was trying to drain the wort off the hops / black malt (the rest being extract). :bonk May have to think about getting a grain bag for my upcoming AG, and sparging Jim-style.
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Andy
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Post by Andy » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:43 pm

Regarding the element, I took some DaaB advice and added some citric acid to boiling water just covering the element. In a couple of minutes the element was looking like new again.

I don't go big on boiler santisation, in fact I don't bother. Just make sure it's clean, the 90 minute boil will finish off anything which might have had beer spoiling ambitions. :D
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Jim
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Post by Jim » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:55 pm

I just wipe off the worst of the crud around the rim with a washing up sponge and give it a good rinse. Like Andy says, the next boil sterilise any nasties that get onto it.

I always remove the element and clean it very gently with a plastic scourer (don't go mad, or you'll take off the plating). Cleaning the element is very important, especially if you live in a hard water area - the build up of scale will make the element overheat and reduce it's life.
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Post by BlightyBrewer » Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:24 pm

I soaked in soda crystals for 15-20 mins, wiped over with a soft cloth to remove crud, then I ran the solution throught the counterflow chiller. I then rinsed and boiled some water in the boiler with the lid on (which gave it a steam clean) and ran this through the chiller to finish...all sparkling clean. :D
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Post by bitter_dave » Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:13 pm

Excellent, lotsa options - thanks ;) I think I'll give the citric acid thing a go as it sounds like instant satisfaction.

I think I might give my lauter another go as I think it was only the black malt blocking up the holes - and no black malt used in the next attempt. I might increase the size of the holes from 2 to 3 mm.

Out of interest, I've never seen a grain bag - how big are the holes?
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FlippinMental
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Post by FlippinMental » Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:59 pm

have just got an old SWAN boiler working. i've noticed a small speak on the element, which looks like the plating has come away. does this spell death for the element or is it ok to use?
FM
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Post by Andy » Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:09 pm

My Swan boiler has lost a fair bit of the initial element plating but all is well. Post a pic up....
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FlippinMental
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Post by FlippinMental » Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:50 pm

QUOTE (andy @ Mar 14 2006, 10:09 PM) My Swan boiler has lost a fair bit of the initial element plating but all is well. Post a pic up....
Image

would appreciate your opinion, andy. have ringed the spot where the plating has come away.
FM
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Post by FlippinMental » Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:23 pm

thanks Daab, i'll give that a go.
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Andy
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Post by Andy » Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:12 pm

Looks like you've got exactly the same type of boiler as moi!
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FlippinMental
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Post by FlippinMental » Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:01 pm

QUOTE (andy @ Mar 15 2006, 08:12 PM) Looks like you've got exactly the same type of boiler as moi!
any idea what model it is? can't find no markings anywhere on it.
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Post by Andy » Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:06 pm

Mine's a Swan C27 (27 is capacity in litres), there's a plate on the base.
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Post by FlippinMental » Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:42 pm

no plate on this one, andy. but it does hold 27ltr. thanks for info. any idea about availability of spares?
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Post by Andy » Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:45 pm

Spares are available but pray the element doesn't go!

http://www.spares2go.co.uk/browse/C27/E ... /p3228.htm

Edit: Available on http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BURCO-WATER-BOILE ... otohosting also for a bit less wedge.
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Post by FlippinMental » Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:55 pm

ouch!!! i'll be taking good care of the one thats in there.
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