I just got through reading about 15 different threads and none seemed to completely address something I am struggling with. I'm hoping someone can help me out.
I have a Blichmann Therminator. For the first 20 batches I made using it, I did not recirculate wort through the chiller and back into the boil kettle. As I have been experimenting with hop forward beers, I decided I would try this technique so that I could add hops during the whirlpool and lock in some more hop aroma/flavor. It seemed to do the trick and I was happy with the results. I figured another added bonus of this technique was that you could sanitize the Therminator via this method, because I would recirculate the wort for 15 minutes before flameout.
The problem I have encountered, though, is ever since I tried this technique I know have an off flavor in my next two beers (Maibock and American Wheat). There is an earthy/herby kind of smell and flavor to these beers that is not supposed to be there. I just smelled the wort in and wort out openings on my Therminator and the smell is almost identical. This leads me to believe that the off flavor is happening when the wort passes through my therminator. (As a note, I did not recirculate through the Therminator for these last two batches).
Has anyone else had this problem?
I was also wondering what would be the best method to thoroughly clean the Therminator?
I have tried the following:
Flush therminator with water right after use (switching directions per Blichmann recommendations). Then soak in PBW for an hour, rinse with water and store port side down over night.
After this, I just tried putting in a pot of boiling water. More junk came out after trying this method. (not much, but the water turned color a little and some particulates came out)
Next I was thinking of putting in an oven and burning off the remaining degree. I was not sure what temperature the copper braze is good to, though. Any one have any ideas? Would putting this in oven in self cleaning mode eliminate all the internal debris?
Last resort would be to use some lye. I would prefer not to try this method because: 1) I've heard some bad stuff about lye burns. 2) Not sure how to properly dispose of it.
Am I missing any other methods?
I have a Blichmann Therminator. For the first 20 batches I made using it, I did not recirculate wort through the chiller and back into the boil kettle. As I have been experimenting with hop forward beers, I decided I would try this technique so that I could add hops during the whirlpool and lock in some more hop aroma/flavor. It seemed to do the trick and I was happy with the results. I figured another added bonus of this technique was that you could sanitize the Therminator via this method, because I would recirculate the wort for 15 minutes before flameout.
The problem I have encountered, though, is ever since I tried this technique I know have an off flavor in my next two beers (Maibock and American Wheat). There is an earthy/herby kind of smell and flavor to these beers that is not supposed to be there. I just smelled the wort in and wort out openings on my Therminator and the smell is almost identical. This leads me to believe that the off flavor is happening when the wort passes through my therminator. (As a note, I did not recirculate through the Therminator for these last two batches).
Has anyone else had this problem?
I was also wondering what would be the best method to thoroughly clean the Therminator?
I have tried the following:
Flush therminator with water right after use (switching directions per Blichmann recommendations). Then soak in PBW for an hour, rinse with water and store port side down over night.
After this, I just tried putting in a pot of boiling water. More junk came out after trying this method. (not much, but the water turned color a little and some particulates came out)
Next I was thinking of putting in an oven and burning off the remaining degree. I was not sure what temperature the copper braze is good to, though. Any one have any ideas? Would putting this in oven in self cleaning mode eliminate all the internal debris?
Last resort would be to use some lye. I would prefer not to try this method because: 1) I've heard some bad stuff about lye burns. 2) Not sure how to properly dispose of it.
Am I missing any other methods?
