I've got a whole bunch of 1/8 polished aluminum and was wondering if it's ok to use it as a false bottom. The reason i ask is because i've heard it can have reactions to wort. I know many people who brew in aluminum kettles so i would assume its ok but just wanted to check with the collective here before i start the process of drilling 500 holes in the stuff.
Aluminum false bottom
- Thread starter rambler
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Golddiggie
Well-Known Member
Condition it before you use it for the first time... Wait until after you've put all the holes in it though...
What are you planning on using this in?
What are you planning on using this in?
TipsyDragon
Well-Known Member
the "reaction" you hear about is the myth that the acidic wort will dissolve some of the aluminum and give you Alzheimer. just put a protective coat of oxidation on it like your brew pot and it should be ok.
wyzazz
Well-Known Member
If you're using it in conjunction with a SS pot you may have issues over time because of the reactions between the two dissimilar metals. (Aluminum will slowly start to thin out.) Other than that you'll be just fine.
Golddiggie
Well-Known Member
I forgot about the Alzheimer myth... 
To condition the aluminum (building an aluminum oxide layer on it) you simply need to boil it in some water for 30-60 minutes. That's it... You should get a nice dark coating on the aluminum at that point. Just don't scrub it off and you'll be fine for many years. I did this to my aluminum kettles and have no worries about using them...
To condition the aluminum (building an aluminum oxide layer on it) you simply need to boil it in some water for 30-60 minutes. That's it... You should get a nice dark coating on the aluminum at that point. Just don't scrub it off and you'll be fine for many years. I did this to my aluminum kettles and have no worries about using them...
Golddiggie
Well-Known Member
Pretty sure that having the aluminum oxide layer on the false bottom (before connecting any SS parts to it) will make that a non-issue... Of course, something as simple as a silicon spacer/washer could be all you need for a buffer to prevent any reactions...
wyzazz
Well-Known Member
That could very well be the case.
TipsyDragon
Well-Known Member
lol. hmmmm
wyzazz
Well-Known Member
Wait, what were we talking about again?
Golddiggie
Well-Known Member
Can't seem to recall... Something about drilling metal and stuff...
Think it's about time for a home-brew... :rockin:
wyzazz
Well-Known Member
Meh, I'm still at work. No homebrew yet...
Golddiggie
Well-Known Member
I could be in that boat tomorrow... Only issue is it's only a 5-6 week contract job... A lot shorter than I would normally go after, and the rate isn't all that great either...
Right on, thanks gentleman. I dont know if i ever heard that it would give me alzheimers but will write that down just incase...lol! Sometimes it hard to separate the myth from fact because everyone seems to know everything and its always a different everything from everyone elses!
