Stainless Passivation

[Bilsch]

SS really does not need to be passivated at our level (IMHO) but every little bit helps

It depends on if your concerned about accelerated staling and the loss of fresh malt flavors from Fe catalyzed fenton reactions. Some brewers 'at our level' are very much worried about this and proper passivation is a great way to reduce the free iron on the surface of your stainless equipment. It also of course improves the corrosion resistance.

 

[brew703]

maybe your right, but it seemed to work out, it was really just another step in the cleaning process.
SS really does not need to be passivated at our level (IMHO) but every little bit helps

My Brew Bucket will arrive tomorrow and I'm thinking about using CA to passivate. As you mentioned the instructions state to use TSP to clean and Starsan to passivate. I don't want to use all my starsan for this so I'm planning to use CA at a rate of 5.32 oz/gal heated to 160 degrees for 30 minutes I think. This is for 4% solution.

Since this thread is a month old I assume you already did the passivation. How did it come out using CA? Did you use 2T per gallon as mentioned in your original post?

 

[MX1]

I did....you could tell it did something because it got a green tint to it.....

I just finished up my first brew with the bucket....all the little things that went wrong were my fault, getting used to a new way of transferring....find a way to clamp the hose to the valve.....just sayin'...lol

Clean up was simple and easy, and the beer racked off well, leaving the cake behind....

 

[brew703]

Did the hose come loose off the valve due to pressure or something else? I transfer from my kettle to my carboy using a 3 pc valve and silicon tube and never had it slip off. It fits kinda snug and don't think it would fall off even it was hit. Just curious what may have happened with yours. I do have some worm clamps I could use just in case. Did you transfer under pressure or used gravity? My issue with the SSBT and Anvil is the valve. Always worry about it leaking but seems like there it's a non issue.

I almost went with the portless Chapman and was going to modify the lid to accept a SS racking cane, add a gas port and rack to my keg that way. What swayed me was the fact I can eventually get the cooling coils with the SSBT. I'll probably go that route next year if my man cave is up and running.

I wanted a SS fermenter mainly for ease of cleaning and be able to DH in a bag. I wish the SSBT could accept a bit more pressure than 1-3 lbs but I should be ok with that. Just couldn't justify the cost of a Spike or SSBT conical or Unitank plus having to purchase a glycol chiller or make one.

As for as the CA is concerned, not sure what 2T weighs but I guess I can see how close it comes to 5.32 oz.

 

[Rev2010]

.find a way to clamp the hose to the valve.....just sayin'...lol

3/8" tubing doesn't work well on the valve as they made the barbs smoother than usual to "preserve" people's tubing - at least that's what they told me in an email. Anyhow, I went with 1/4" tubing and it holds on perfectly.


Rev.

 

[MX1]

Did the hose come loose off the valve due to pressure or something else? I transfer from my kettle to my carboy using a 3 pc valve and silicon tube and never had it slip off. It fits kinda snug and don't think it would fall off even it was hit. Just curious what may have happened with yours. I do have some worm clamps I could use just in case. Did you transfer under pressure or used gravity? My issue with the SSBT and Anvil is the valve. Always worry about it leaking but seems like there it's a non issue.

I almost went with the portless Chapman and was going to modify the lid to accept a SS racking cane, add a gas port and rack to my keg that way. What swayed me was the fact I can eventually get the cooling coils with the SSBT. I'll probably go that route next year if my man cave is up and running.

I wanted a SS fermenter mainly for ease of cleaning and be able to DH in a bag. I wish the SSBT could accept a bit more pressure than 1-3 lbs but I should be ok with that. Just couldn't justify the cost of a Spike or SSBT conical or Unitank plus having to purchase a glycol chiller or make one.

As for as the CA is concerned, not sure what 2T weighs but I guess I can see how close it comes to 5.32 oz.

3/8 tubing was a bit loose....came off under gravity feed....but I was on top of the valve and turned it off.
I think leaking is a non issue with the valve, it is well designed, you should see what I mean when you get yours.
I did not dry hop this batch, but clean up was super simple....it is everything I love about a simple bucket, and none of the things I hate.....about a simple bucket...lol.

For this batch, i think i could have left the racking cane in the down position and been good to go.
Boiled up a quart mason jar and saved the slurry...first time for that....

T

 

[brew703]

Received my fermenter yesterday. Much nicer than the Anvil I sent back. I do have 3/8" silicon tubing so that will have to work. I have some clamps I can use for safety.
I sent an email to SSBT about passivation and was told citric acid is suitable to use in place of starsan. So will do that tomorrow as tonight will be dedicated to cleaning.

What position do you guys leave the racking arm during fermentation? I would think in the downward position.

 

[MX1]

I left it down...

Think I am going to to get a Teflon washer to install on the inside of the racking arm/valve to make it easier to rotate

 

[brew703]

I left it down...

Think I am going to to get a Teflon washer to install on the inside of the racking arm/valve to make it easier to rotate

Seems like someone put a washer on the inside and it caused the valve to leak. Let us know if it works.
Just finished cleaning with TSP/90. The inside didn't seem to have any residue before and it's clean now.
Getting ready to hit it with some CA.

 

[Rev2010]

I think I am going to to get a Teflon washer to install on the inside of the racking arm/valve to make it easier to rotate

Why bother? I just use my mash spoon (rinsed and sanitized) to gently push it down when it gets down to the arm. That said, I have left it down by accident many times and it's never been an issue. Not sure I really notice any difference between leaving it sideways or down.


Rev.

 

[MX1]

You may be right, I think I could get away with never rotating it, and leaving it in the down position all the time. I looks like it sits high enough above the yeast that it would not be an issue, unless maybe I pitched on a yeast cake.....then it might be above the dip tube.....

Only have 1 brew in it, so I still have to see what the norm will be