mosyslack

Recipes 

I've been using an AL pot as my brew kettle for over a year and there is no black coating. There is some minor discoloration that occurred due to use, but no discoloration. The only time I have seen a black residue is when I accidentally left and oxidizing cleaner solution in overnight.

To remove, I boiled some water with cream of tartar and it worked great! No scrubbing, just let it boil for 30 mins maybe... i do not remember. A page that I found off google said to scrub with a cream of tartar paste for the same effect.

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Primary:dry
Secondary: dry
Bottled:Pale Ale
Drinking: 3rd Shift Breakfast Stout, store bought

torque2k

Recipes 

Just to throw another hat into the ring:

- Aluminum oxidizes after boiling water in it.
- Oxide layer is a "sealant" for the aluminum. Aluminum can leech metalic flavors without it.
- Sealing aluminum = good for brew.
- It's OK to CLEAN the kettle, just don't remove the oxide layer.
- Clean with a soft cloth or sponge and light dish soap (Ivory). Rinse well.

Mine's not black, but a dull grayish amber. I think your color is different because your water makeup is different. Mine's hard iron-heavy well water.

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On deck: Scottish 70/- Ale
Primary 1: Northern English Brown Ale
Primary 2: Belgian Dubbel
Secondary 1 and 2: air
Bottles: Clean Out The Closet IPA, Guinea Pig Dry Irish Stout, Tonguesplitter Pale Ale (yeast experiment)

hopsoda

Recipes 

So discoloration is normal.
No need to worry about it , it is actually needed to seal the pot.
Clean lightly and brew as planed

Got it , Thanks

rangerbrew

Recipes 

hmm, this actually answers the question I have regarding aluminum pots, wasn't sure if anything had to be done before \ after brewing besides the obvious that is.

torque2k

Recipes 

Yep. Prep the new aluminum pot by boiling water in it for 30-40 minutes, then let it cool and dump it around a tree. Why waste good water?!

Never use a scrubby on the coating (but you can use it on the OUTSIDE of the kettle to keep it lookin' purdy), and try to use only soft dish soap such as Ivory. OxyClean-type cleaners are frowned upon as they can affect the oxide coating. Hops residue cleans out pretty easily from a kettle if you hit it within an hour of finishing up.

__________________
On deck: Scottish 70/- Ale
Primary 1: Northern English Brown Ale
Primary 2: Belgian Dubbel
Secondary 1 and 2: air
Bottles: Clean Out The Closet IPA, Guinea Pig Dry Irish Stout, Tonguesplitter Pale Ale (yeast experiment)