When in doubt, go with copper

[fhk]

This makes me feel better about all my copper fittings, chiller, etc. Seems like it may be much better than stainless.
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2013/05/14/copper-in-hospital-rooms-may-stop-infections/

 

[TungstenBeer]

It's an interesting story... but it's about hospitals.

There's certainly nothing wrong with copper - and it is obviously preferred over stainless in certain spots (chilling, for example) - but I'm still going stainless every other time. Brewing isn't done in a hospital, and practicing good sanitation is almost muscle memory once you've done it enough, in which case, stainless is better in my opinion. At worst, they're equal, but I wouldn't agree to say "copper is much better."

 

[Hello]

I understand the antimicrobial properties that they're talking about; however, like TungstenBeer, I am not convinced copper is much better than stainless in brewing. Perhaps in hospitals, but brewing, I would say that I would stick with stainless pots and such.

 

[SaguaroMan]

Copper has been used in Belgian breweries for centuries, more so for the heat conductive properties than for the then unknown antiseptic properties.

I've read somewhere that a small amount of copper in the wort is beneficial for yeast health. As to whether or not I get any from my copper counterflow chiller is up for debate but I'm glad to know it's not great for bacteria to reside.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

The trouble is, especially for industrialized brewing, that copper tends to react more substantially to chemicals for cleaning and sanitizing.

 

[SaguaroMan]

The trouble is, especially for industrialized brewing, that copper tends to react more substantially to chemicals for cleaning and sanitizing.

That's why I only run a Starsan solution through right after running the wort from my boil through the counterflow chiller; no cleaner needed

 

[Trillium]

Copper is proven to shorten the shelf life of beer. Not so much a homebrew problem, but a big problem for commercial beers that might sit around a while.