When and how do you clean your electric element?

[twd000]

I have a keggle with a 5500W Camco element. Definitely not low watt density. I have been mixing 3 gallons of PBW and heating it between brews and trying to scrub the element with a nylon bristle brush. I've seen big chunks of scale falling off. Probably protein and hop residue. I'm not confident that the element is getting fully cleaned, due to the convoluted coil shape. What is your cleaning schedule for this type of electric element?

 

[processhead]

I am not overly obsessive on element cleaning, but when I do, I use a scotch bright pad and an alkaline cleaner to get in between the folds of the element. It does an adequate job.

 

[BeardedBrews]

Protein like that will build up and can be a pain to remove.

I like Alkaline Brewery Wash. I'll usually drain and rinse after the brew day, then mix up enough solution to cover the element, heat to 110f, and then let it sit overnight. At that point it will wipe clean.

I've read a few posts where people will dry fire their element for a short while to burn the stubborn scale off. Just long enough to get red hot then power off again.

 

[twd000]

Whoa the dry fire idea is both appealing and terrifying! I'm not going to ruin the element by getting it red hot? Then just rinse off the charred carbon with water once it cools back down ?

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

On brew day I've been rinsing out trub from the kettle then circulating a 140F PBW solution for 15-20 minutes before using a small brush to clean the element. Followed by a 140F rinse with clean water. But soaking in PBW overnight won't hurt when cleaning an element with a lot of scale.

 

[postalbunny]

If you've got a lot of buildup acid (food grade citric acid is dirt cheap). 151grams per gallon, 30 min at 180degF or 120mins at 140degF. The scale/beerstone will slide right off.

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, I think @passedpawn (of the most honorable moderator clan ) has been doing the burn-off thing for some time now, though I don't know if he's using a similar element...

Cheers!

 

[sicktght311]

Just cleaned mine. 150degree oxiclean soak for about an hour, scrubbed it with a sponge. Everything came right off

 

[passedpawn]

I have a keggle with a 5500W Camco element. Definitely not low watt density. I have been mixing 3 gallons of PBW and heating it between brews and trying to scrub the element with a nylon bristle brush. I've seen big chunks of scale falling off. Probably protein and hop residue. I'm not confident that the element is getting fully cleaned, due to the convoluted coil shape. What is your cleaning schedule for this type of electric element?

Camco 5500W 2963 incoloy element. No problem. I do this after every brew. This exact element has done this dozens of times for sure. Clean as a whistle afterwards. I burn until the smoke gets thick, turn power off to let smoke clear (it gets so thick and green that you can't see the element at all). Then burn again until it's cherry red.

Good luck. I wouldn't do this if my element wasn't so easy to change, though it's never caused an issue.

 

[twd000]

Camco 5500W 2963 incoloy element. No problem. I do this after every brew. This exact element has done this dozens of times for sure. Clean as a whistle afterwards. I burn until the smoke gets thick, turn power off to let smoke clear (it gets so thick and green that you can't see the element at all). Then burn again until it's cherry red.

Good luck. I wouldn't do this if my element wasn't so easy to change, though it's never caused an issue.

That's wicked! I have a respirator mask to handle those nasty fumes

 

[passedpawn]

That's wicked! I have a respirator mask to handle those nasty fumes

Smoke is nasty. I brew on the back patio, fan overhead, no worries for me. I forget people brew indoors, this would not be a good option for kitchen brewing. It's acrid smoke.

 

[twd000]

I brew in my garage with both bay doors open. I have an 18" industrial fan I can turn on to get cross-flow going