Brass fitting on f/v

[akka lakka]

Hi all

Can you have brass fitting on s/s f/v,Will it react with s/s and yeast or is it a no no.

cheers joe

[hotmog]

I've got a brass fitting on mine, although it's separated by a rubber washer from being in direct contact with the s/s. I've not had any problems with it.

[akka lakka]

Thanks hotmog

I should realised from your pics,i have plenty of brass and copper fittings so i can fit them on as soon as 33 litre pot arrives,i am going to pinch your idea for draining beer from f/v without disturbing yeast cake.

Cheers joe

[jimp2003]

Hi Joe.

Earlier today I was reading THIS article on the BYO website which is quite a useful guide to things to consider with different metals in brewing equipment.

[akka lakka]

Hi jimp

Thanks for info,i would be interested what you think of the article on different metals affecting the s/s f/v during fermentation with the brass and copper fittings. Hotmog uses copper and brass fittings and all seems well,wonder how much copper and brass could be absorbed into brew each time to cause off tastes corrosion etc,After say 6 months would the copper and brass dissolve,it would be nice to know if folks could say do not use copper and brass in f/v as it is danger to your health,I did use a aluminium boiler which started corroding so got rid,better to find out the pitfalls now rather than than later.

Cheers joe

[darkonnis]

I did use a aluminium boiler which started corroding

Errrr what!? You mean the black oxidising layer which builds up with use or you came back to find a hole in it or what?

Cooky

[ivanmalley]

Copper has been used in brewing for centuries.

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.

Both copper and zinc are beneficial to yeast health.

[Kev888]

Brass and stainless have a different anodic index, but its only very slightly different so there won't be a great tendency towards galvanic corrosion. Brass is certainly no threat to yeast, and if its a type of brass suitable for potable water (as most UK plumbing fittings are) then its not going to be a health concern either - or some feel its enough to pickle normal brass (briefly) in something acidic to clean/dissolve any lead at the surface.

However, brass is not as resistant to certain cleaning chemicals (such as bleach and acid sanitisers), so whilst I use it with stainless in the boiler and MT (which I don't clean harshly), I prefer to have my fermenters free of softer metals just to leave my cleaning choices wider.

Cheers
kev

[akka lakka]

Thats alright then it is no problem to remove the tap and boil it after each brew,anyway that is where bugs can hide so jobs a good un.

cheers joe