How do you clean DIY Immersion Chiller before first use?

[HillWilly]

First off, thanks for all the instructions and suggestions in the DIY section. I am on my way to completing an immersion chiller and stir plate.

What did you use to clean your DIY immersion chiller prior to first use? Do you just wipe it down and give it a bath in Star San?

Thanks!

 

[jdub1782]

No need to sanitize an immersion chiller, just put it in your brew kettle for the last 15 minutes of your boil. However, I would soak it in a hot PBW solution for 30 minutes, followed by a hot rinse before your first use to ensure that any oil, etc does not find its way into your wort.

 

[jiggs_casey]

As soon as I am finished with mine, I give it hot water rinse in the sink, making sure that there isn't anything stuck to it, and store it until the next use. That's really all the 'cleaning' it ever gets. Like jdub1782 said, just drop it into your boil during the last 15 minutes or so.

 

[jdub1782]

A few tips for using your IC

1. I connected a cheap ($4) plastic inline ball valve between the feed water hose and the IC - this allows me to control the volume of the water going thru the IC
2. I connected a short piece of hose to the output (5 foot) -this allows me to use the hot water to fill up my other pots, buckets, MT, etc with hot water for cleaning and rinsing
3. Don't stick your hand in the output flow to test the water temp -I learned this the hard way
4. When your wort is cool, turn off the input water and disconnect the hose - leave the output hose connected and it will siphon almost all of the water out of your IC
5. Cleanup -I hose off the IC, then dip it in the brew pot which is full of PBW solution, risen, then blow out the remaining water

 

[jperry]

To clean the copper for the first time, I used a sponge with a small amount of non-diluted, pure starsan, and give it a good rub. I wore rubber gloves too.

 

[Conan]

For my first time I didn't clean it- just dunked it in when the time was right. I never gave a thought to cleaning the chiller, though there may have been some manufacturing oils present. Kyle

 

[Gritsak]

I clean it similar to what others have said, but also submerge it in boiling it in water for 10-15min, and then test it out by running cold water through it. I'd rather any remaining residues, etc. come off in water than my wort. It also give you the opportunity to do a test-run to check for leaks when the chiller is hot.

 

[HopOnHops]

I noticed that star San makes it shiny clean. So instead of star San, which is relatively expensive. I soak mine in vinegar prior to use. It still gets it shiny clean. Copper easily oxidizes and the acid removes the oxidized copper. If you don't remove it, it'll come off in your wort because it is acidic. I'm sure it's a negligible amount but I do it anyways

 

[kenyabob]

For my first time I didn't clean it- just dunked it in when the time was right. I never gave a thought to cleaning the chiller, though there may have been some manufacturing oils present. Kyle

How did this turn out? I am a bit freaked out, seeing as I didn't clean mine prior to use, it looked pretty good as it was. I didn't build it myself, I purchased it. I am hoping that I don't get any funky off flavors, seeing as everything else in the brew session went flawlessly.

 

[shelly_belly]

I did a test run with mine in boiling water to which I added a cup of vinegar. Made it nice and shiny. I rinsed it off afterwards with the garden hose.

 

[HillWilly]

I ended up wiping it down with Star San, but wish I had seen the vinegar suggestion.

Most impressive was that I was able to chill a full boil in 12 minutes thanks to the 55 degree water coming out of my tap.

Thanks again for all of the suggestions. Can't wait to see how this beer turns out!