Copper chiller and brewtanB ?

[day_trippr]

The purported process of leaching out surface lead from brass is called "pickling" and you can find threads on HBT discussing it. And you can also find articles on the web that claim pickling really isn't very effective.

Otherwise, it's not the alcohol in beer that's a problem with brass, it's the acidity. pH in the 4s will eat up all kinds of stuff...

Cheers!

 

[Schlenkerla]

The purported process of leaching out surface lead from brass is called "pickling" and you can find threads on HBT discussing it. And you can also find articles on the web that claim pickling really isn't very effective.

Otherwise, it's not the alcohol in beer that's a problem with brass, it's the acidity. pH in the 4s will eat up all kinds of stuff...

Cheers!

I knew there was a reason. pH has a way of jacking things up. Same with ultra purity.

I once saw maintenance try to use copper pipe for RO water. Didn't last long. The affinity for attaching to copper ions dissolved it over time.

 

[jdauria]

This is the cheapest I've found BTB. Even with airmail shipping to the US, the price is quite reasonable because the exchange rate is so favorable. I've always received it in less than 2 weeks. I think all-in last time was something like $15-17 US.

https://www.ibrew.com.au/products/brewtan-b

The accountant in me has to break it down. 50 grams = 1.76 ounces. $6.87 AU = $4.91 US... so $2.79 per ounce before international shipping. Definitely cheaper than Williams Brewing which is $5.99 an ounce or RiteBrew at $4.79 an ounce. Adding shipping (to Mass), RiteBrew is $7.34 total for an ounce, Williams $12.98 an ounce. Where you paid $14.52 last time from AU, that comes to $8.25 an ounce. So it looks like on a per ounce basis, RiteBrew would be cheaper than ordering from overseas. You can get two ounces from Ritebrew for $12.38 with shipping, vs $14.52 for 1.76 ounces from Australia.

 

[schematix]

Good analysis.

So ritebrew is the current price leader (by a small margin) and you can buy a smaller quantity if you desire.

Last time i purchased i couldn't find anywhere in the US that had it in small quantities. Glad to see things are changing and next time i won't have to order a simple product from halfway around the world.

 

[Schlenkerla]

I brought my Brewtan-B for $9.95 (1oz) and the 1mg scale for $19. Both from Wal-Mart and free shipping!

 

[eric19312]

http://www.ritebrew.com/SearchResults.asp?Extensive_Search=Y&Search=brewtan&Submit.x=0&Submit.y=0

Brewtan-B for $4.79

In the states.

Thanks @mongoose33 - I've never ordered from Ritebrew but will give them a try next time I need supplies if my currently preferred vendors are still not stocking.

 

[Schlenkerla]

I use BrewTan B and SMB in my BIAB mash and more BTB in the boil, with a copper chiller when I brew my LoDo beers. What amazes me is for my light colored lagers, is how clear the wort is at after chilling the wort. This leads to very clear beers with very little lagering time. Here's my Pils three weeks after brewing. View attachment 606337

Are you still using Irish Moss?

In my first LOB batch, I used the trifecta (SMB/AA/BtB), but I forgot to add the Moss in the last 15 minutes of the boil. At flame out I noticed how clear it was as I shut off the burner. Then I hit me, I forgot the Irish Moss. I flip the burner back on to bring it back up to ~210F. Added the Irish Moss... bam.... instantly the wort was cloudy like the muddy Mississippi.

I'm like... well that was fricken stupid.

I wasn't drinking either!!!

 

[MaxStout]

Are you still using Irish Moss?

In my first LOB batch, I used the trifecta (SMB/AA/BtB), but I forgot to add the Moss in the last 15 minutes of the boil. At flame out I noticed how clear it was as I shut off the burner. Then I hit me, I forgot the Irish Moss. I flip the burner back on to bring it back up to ~210F. Added the Irish Moss... bam.... instantly the wort was cloudy like the muddy Mississippi.

I'm like... well that was fricken stupid.

I wasn't drinking either!!!

Did it settle out quickly in the fermenter? I've never had luck with fining agents working in the boil kettle (not enough time, perhaps), but it would drop right out within a few hours in the fermenter.

 

[Schlenkerla]

Did it settle out quickly in the fermenter? I've never had luck with fining agents working in the boil kettle (not enough time, perhaps), but it would drop right out within a few hours in the fermenter.

It didn't. It kinda ticked me off in the sense that would have preferred to completely have forgotten it altogether.

 

[MaxStout]

I do BIAB and use Whirlfloc the last 10-15 mins of the boil. After racking to the fermenter I can see the trub settle out in a few hours.

Looks like you did all the right things, but yet it didn't settle out. Yeah, that would tick me off too.

 

[jdauria]

Are you still using Irish Moss?

Not Irish Moss, but use a 1/2 of a Whirlfloc pill at 10 minutes.

 

[Eric_S]

And those still looking for another source, Brewhardware does stock as well:

https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/brewtanb.htm

 

[Schlenkerla]

I didn't like that my Walmart Brewtan-b came in a non ziplock bag. So I found an empty spice bottle. I had to mark it appropriately. - LoL

 

[day_trippr]

hahaha! This could end poorly