aluminum stock pot turned black?

hopsoda · 11-30-2009, 07:55 PM

I boiled some water in a new alluminum 30qt stockpot it turned the entire inside with a black like soot?

is this normal? looks bad.

tobrew · 11-30-2009, 08:00 PM

Yes it is normal. Mines been like that for over a year. No problems at all.
ToBrew

hopsoda · 11-30-2009, 08:01 PM

how should i go about cleaning it?

PT Ray · 11-30-2009, 08:02 PM

It will turn blackish to a certain degree, a form of seasoning for aluminum so don't worry too much. I've been using a 7 gallon aluminum pot for strike water for several years now and has that look inside.

waldoar15 · 11-30-2009, 08:03 PM

Mine never turned black, but it did get a nice oxide coating on it, which is what you want.

hopsoda · 11-30-2009, 08:05 PM

ok so should i scrub it with an abrasive pad , or gently wash it with a rag and boil in it a few more times? ... to get it ready to brew in?

**Walker** · 11-30-2009, 08:06 PM

You don't need to do anything to it. It's ready to be used again.

Rushis · 11-30-2009, 08:07 PM

That black layer is aluminum oxide formed by the oxidation of aluminum by the slightly acidic condition of the wort and dissolved oxygen in your wort during the boil. If you clean it off that layer will reform the next you brew a batch. It shouldn't have any deleterious effects on your beer.

If the cosmetic change in your pot bothers you, the only viable solution is getting a stainless steel brew kettle.

Barc · 11-30-2009, 08:12 PM

I just clean mine with a sponge, a little dish soap, and lots of hot water. Then I just rinse it out again before I use it for the next batch.

**arturo7** · 11-30-2009, 08:41 PM

Don't clean it off.