Cleaning a Kettle (Dishsoap question)

[uglysofa]

I searched around and didn't see the answer I was looking for.

Do you use dish soap to clean a kettle? Will the use of soap in the kettle affect head retention?

 

[blkandrust]

I'm not sure how Dish soap would affect a kettle as I have never done it.I assume you are referring to a boil kettle.I simply fill mine with water after use and use a green scrubby and hit it real quick,then a quick rinse,thats all.Every several months or so I will scrub it with pbw if I feel like it.

 

[Nightbiker]

Sure. I use dawn (the foaming one) myself. Rinse it out good (sure you would anyway).
The boil will easily get rid of anything else. I have certainly had no problems with it (and dawn seems to make the clean-up real simple and quick -and after a long brew day, I'm really ready to get everything clean, dry, and me to bed!)
come to mention it, I also use the same process for my mash tun. I like to keep my hardware clean as a whistle.

 

[bechard]

I use a little dishsoap with my kettle, no issues with head retention. I'm sure a good rinse is all you need.

 

[ArtVandelay]

Dish soap is pretty worthless unless you are trying to remove grease or oil which isn't in a kettle so here isn't really a need for it

 

[BigEd]

Leave the dishsoap in the kitchen. A strong, unscented detergent without dyes or surfactants is recommended. One of the readily available powdered cleaners (One-Step, Straight A, B-Brite, PBW, etc) are better choices. When you get some buildup from beerstone in the kettle it will need to be treated with an acidic solution to loosen it up before cleaning.

 

[Swib]

Don't forget the classic Barkeeper's Friend, a great cleaner for stainless.

 

[emjay]

Don't forget the classic Barkeeper's Friend, a great cleaner for stainless.

I love that stuff. I just use the *soft* side of a sponge, and no elbow grease required at all.

Of course, the OP didn't mention what his kettle is made of, which is kind of important.

 

[logan3825]

Don't forget the classic Barkeeper's Friend, a great cleaner for stainless.

Yup. I wouldn't even bother with anything else if you have a SS pot.

 

[Zamial]

Oxyfree (the unscented oxyclean) I love that stuff! As for dish soap, I have read to never use it on your brew gear.(yes I am sure people do and have no problems...) It only takes a tiny amount of residue to destroy a batch of beer and it can be hard to get it all out...

GL