What are the differences in copper grades?

[mximus11]

I was wanting to build a wort chiller and found several grades of copper. I am familiar with they grade M but I also found UG (utility grade) do you think this copper is much different and would it be bad for the wort. I found it on www.doitbest.com

 

[JuanMoore]

Utility grade may contain larger amounts of other metals, including lead, and may not be NSF certified. NSF certified copper tubing is usually 99.9% copper. The K,L,and M designations just refer to wall thickness. Just like with the brass fittings many of us use, utility grade copper probably doesn't contain enough lead or other contaminants to really worry about, but pickling it before use probably isn't a bad idea just to be safe.

 

[mximus11]

What do you mean by pickle it?

 

[mximus11]

Ok so I assume the best way to do thid is to just pour it into the tubing? It almost sounds too easy!