Did I ruin my immersion chiller?

[BMan1029]

I have a 25' copper immersion chiller, brewed on Sunday. Afterwards I had a good amount of PBW (powdered brewery wash) left and the thing was looking pretty grimy. So I filled up a ice tub with the PBW. Pulled out the chiller on Monday evening and parts of it were purple where it had been in contact with the tub. This purple will not wipe off. After some thinking, I realized that the ice tub is made out of galvanized steel. I working in the welding supply industry and am well aware that galvanized can release some nasty nasty chemicals when welded or grinded. My concern now, is did I cause a chemical reaction between the copper, PBW, and the galvanized that essentially ruined my chiller? I dont want to end up brewing a Carcinogen Copper Ale, etc.

 

[PantherCity]

Try soaking it in an acid solution, like strong star-san or a vinegar solution

 

[Spartan1979]

Will the purple sand off?

 

[mmonacel]

have you tried to boil it and see what happens? Might just be an odd patina that boils off / away.

 

[bad coffee]

sand it off. Get rid of it mechanically, then soak it in some water to re-oxidize before you brew.

B

 

[mikelikesit2000]

Boil it then clean is with a solution of TSP and warm water. TSP is what we use to clean copper fittings for medical gas use.

 

[certaut]

I used to take my copper immersion chiller and put in a 5 gal pail( use ss now)
I would dump the spent grain in the bucket and after a few hours is was as good as new

 

[pelipen]

it's not ruined. Copper turns all kinds of cool colors. Look up Bornite or peacock ore. If I boil my copper fittings in my tap water, it will come out with a patina that looks very close to that. Quite lovely. Mildly acidic solution takes it right off.

I've left copper in spent grains... it turned all kinds of yellow and green.

 

[BetterSense]

If you decide to try mechanical means, steel wool will be much better than sandpaper.

 

[kpr121]

I dont want to end up brewing a Carcinogen Copper Ale, etc.

Mmmmm CCA!!

JK, I second the acid solution, starsan or diluted vinegar.

 

[kh54s10]

If you feel you need to get to clean metal be careful, steel wool comes in many different grades of coarseness. 0000 is extra fine and 3 is coarse you need to use a fine grade or you will add scratches that will be hard to keep clean. I think that the color is a non issue. Just boil it (maybe a couple of times) and you are A-OK.

 

[maltbarleyhops]

half vinegar and half warm water. done.
if needed, a green scotch brite scrubby first.

 

[BMan1029]

Some 4/0 steel wool and a boil and I'm back in business. Thanks all!