BernieBrewer

Recipes 

I made an immersion cooler out of copper tubing, when I put it in my wort to boil for the last 20 minutes, it tends to leave a small metallic looking film, is this unusual, should I be worried about it? I use an aluminum brew pot.

Thanks

Orfy

Recipes 

It sounds like you didn't rinse the machine oil of it.

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BernieBrewer

Recipes 

Sorry, I forgot to mention when I first made it I boiled it in 50/50 white vinegar and water, I thought that'd clean it off.

Orfy

Recipes 

Yep it should of done. Can't think of any other cause.
How do you clean it after use?

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GET THE GOBLIN
Have a beer on me.

BernieBrewer

Recipes 

I usually put in a bucket with bbrite and water soak it for a bit then rinse it in the shower.

MariaAZ

Recipes 

Could it be the combination of aluminum and copper? Our house is aluminum wired and we can't use copper wired fixtures because of a chemical reaction that happens between the two metals. Wikipedia says "galvanic corrosion can occur in the presence of an electrolyte" Perhaps wort acts as an electrolyte?

BernieBrewer

Recipes 

This is sort of what I was worried about. The same thing has happened the 4 times I've used it no matter how clean it is. But I figured if this was a common aluminum/copper problem someone out there must've seen similar results...

BernieBrewer

Recipes 

I had one more thought on this, if this is really due to a copper / aluminum reaction and I get the metalic film when I'm brewing beer wouldn't I get the same film when i'm cleaning it with 50 /50 white vinegar and water because of the acidity of the vinegar?

67coupe390

Recipes 

Maria is right. galvonic corrosion!!! save up for stainless steel.

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BernieBrewer

Recipes 

If its galvonic corrosion is it safe to drink the current batches?