What's the best way to clean copper IC after building it?

[hezagenius]

I built my copper IC and want to clean it before I use it on a batch. Looks like there's some charring on it that I'd like to remove if possible. Is there maybe some solution I can boil it in to remove this stuff or any other deposits?

 

[cyanmonkey]

Boiling in water should be enough. I've soaked mine in starsan before for about half an hour and it took off the dull finish..not that I'd recommend that, per se.

 

[m00ps]

back when I had mine, I soaked it in PBW overnight and it looked entirely like new the next day

 

[BrewerBrad82]

If you are a bit ambitious, scrub it thoroughly with Bar Keepers Friend. That stuff is amazing.

 

[Dolomieu]

Spraying it down with, or soaking it in white vinegar works. Some sources say to add salt.

 

[hezagenius]

Thanks for the ideas! I'll start with the BKF and then boil it and then soak it in PBW overnight.

If there is still charring, is that going to be a problem?

Also, I used the flux paste (not the water soluble kind). I'm assuming that's OK...?

 

[DrunkleJon]

Why not just boil it in some PBW? That should more than clean it up and degrease, etc. You will want to rinse well before using it afterwards. PBW does not taste very good.

 

[m00ps]

yeah PBW. The only time I cleaned mine I just dunked it in pbw overnight and it literally looked like new (up to the line where the pbw contacted it)

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

I gave mine a salt and vinegar soak then spent hours cleaning it with BKF.Finally got it clean. Theres going to be a ton of clod break/trub on it after brew day.I stick it in the bathtub and hit it with the shower head and then a quick spray of star san just for the hell of it

 

[Johow]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1447171571.137469.jpg
I just built this one. To clean and test it, I boiled 6 gallons of water in my kettle, thru it in for 10 minutes then used it to cool the water. Boiling down to mid 70's in 10 minutes. Came out nice and clean and I know it works... Be sure to leak test it before you use it.

 

[mkyl428]

I built my copper IC and want to clean it before I use it on a batch. Looks like there's some charring on it that I'd like to remove if possible. Is there maybe some solution I can boil it in to remove this stuff or any other deposits?

Wipe with undiluted starsan, let it sit for 10-15 min then rinse looks brand new, got the idea from morebeer when I bought my chiller, I just cleaned mine the other day.

From the morebeer website:

Using Star San to condition your stainless and copper
Stainless steel discolored? Copper looking used, and starting to lose its shine? Take a little raw Star San (not mixed with any water) and apply it to the copper or stainless with a scrub pad (CE27) or a rag, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse it off, and re-apply if necessary (although it usually isn't!) This will help keep your stainless conditioned, and will make your copper look brand new again.


Cheers

 

[hezagenius]

I did clean a lot of it off with Bar Keeper's Friend. Then soaked it overnight in PBW. It was still a bit dirty after that. Then I soaked it for 30 minutes with a Star San solution. Whoa! That cleaned it up really well. Didn't smell too good, though, so I rinsed it thoroughly inside and out.

I wasn't sure if boiling PBW was good or bad so I didn't try that. I think it's pretty clean now but I'll keep that in mind when it gets nasty again.

I think I may take a Dremel to it so see if I can get some of the really hard stuff off.