Funk & Chiller Cleaning w/ NaOH

[ebstauffer]

I've been having an on again/off again problem with a funky off flavor in my beers. I thought it was DMS but the last batch I ensure a roiling boil and still got it. It's just a funky, "it shouldnt taste this way" taste. A neighbor refered to it as "musky/earthy". Not what I was going for in EdWorts Haus Ale.

As such, Im undertaking an extreme-cleaning of all my equipment. At the top of my list is my plate chiller. My cleaning SOP is to flush and back-flush with garden hose pressure (about 80 PSI here in Indianapolis). I got out of the habit of "baking" it in the oven for 20 mins @ 350.

Today I picked up a container of Thrift from my local plumbing supply house. The MSDS states that it's 99% NaOH. Plan is to disolve the crytals in hot water, pour via pitcher into the chiller, let it sit, and flush like hell with water.

First question: anyone else use either Thrift or another crystalline NaOH cleaner? I've read the post re: Red Devil but am unsure of it's composition.

Second: Do most, as advocated elsewhere, bake in the oven after NaOH cleaning?

Third: Any guesses as to what the remaining 1% is?

 

[smcinco]

How about just bake it periodically without NaOH then back flush or maybe a couple rounds of this? Love to hear how it works out either way.

 

[LordUlrich]

Be really careful with caustic, caustic burns. Hydrating caustic is exothermic and can cause the water to boil, and can splash while boiling. I generally suggest against caustic.

Anyway, if you are going to use caustic...

I would mix up caustic in your brew kettle, recirculate the caustic backwards through your chiller for 20 minutes or so. Hot caustic works best (say 120F). When done flush with lots of water, and then with starsan.

That is pretty close to the procedure I used when I was working in a brew pub. It is amazing how much gunk will come out.

 

[Yooper]

I don't use caustic in cleaning my brew gear but I am well acquainted with sodium hydroxide also known as lye. I make soap.
The key when you make soap to using lye is to only use cold water when you mix it as it becomes immediately boiling hot when you add the lye. Also never add water to lye; add lye to the water. if you add the water to the lie you will get a boiling hot volcano instantly

I would be cautious about using hot caustic inside the chiller. I would probably mix it up, wait for it to cool somewhat and then use it.

I would be more inclined to use some alkali wash, burst rinse then acid wash and burst rinse before using something like Caustic.


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[ebstauffer]

I generally suggest against caustic.

I giggled when my wife bought me some PPE for Christmas including a full face shield, a lab apron and heavy safety gloves. I'm not giggling now.

I'm going to give @LordUlrich's procedure a go and report back.

 

[k1ngl1ves]

I giggled when my wife bought me some PPE for Christmas including a full face shield, a lab apron and heavy safety gloves. I'm not giggling now.

I'm going to give @LordUlrich's procedure a go and report back.

Are you sure those items weren't for the bedroom...?




(I could barely type that 'cus I was laughing so hard!)

 

[Bigscience]

The thing I've found with my plate chiller is you need a water hammer type effect and not just a back flush. The turning water on full blast and then off and back on seems to kick out some stuck in there particles. (You need a ball valve to get that fast rush of pressure.)

Do this a few times one way until nothing comes out and the reverse directions. Even if you think your chiller is clean and you don't have any problems, give it a try and I'd bet you'll be surprised.


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[LordUlrich]

Oh another caution with caustic, if you splash ANY on your skin rinse it with water immediately. It won't hurt at first but it will.

 

[acidrain]

I just cleaned my chiller this week using Sodium Hydroxide... works like a champ.
Even Duda Diesel recommends cleaning this way. The baking thing may work, but there is also the chance you will bake it to a crust that sticks in there.
My theory is keep it wet, turn it to jello with NaOH, then rinse it out.
I used 1 oz (liquid measure) to 2 cups cold water, and left it in there all night.

 

[audger]

I wouldn't suggest baking at all, especially if your plate chiller has soft parts (plastic or rubber seals, etc). Baking would almost ensure that anything left inside dries on and never comes out.

If you want to sterilize, pump or dump boiling water thru it. If you use water to chill your boil, use the hot water from that to flush thru the chiller in reverse after you are done.

NaOH will help dissolve organic stuff like hop particles or oils, etc. but will not remove beer stone, mineral deposits or inorganic contaminants... you need an acid (not a base) to do that.