PatMac
Well-Known Member
I've seen a few threads dance around this subject but have yet to find a definitive answer...
I brewed an English Pale Ale and an Oatmeal Stout today and used my new copper immersion chiller for the first time.
I was concerned about the cleanliness of the IC going into the wort so I did research and found people suggesting vinegar and water to clean and oxidize (?) the copper. As a result, I rinsed the chiller with hot water and let it sit for 30 minutes in a solution of 1 cup vinegar and 5 gallons of hot water. I then rinsed the chiller off with warm water again and sprayed some Star San on it.
It didn't do much to the appearance of the copper but I knew it was cleaner than it previously was. I put the IC in during the boil to sanitize it but when I pulled it out the copper was spotless compared to the way it was when it went in...this means that all the stuff sitting on the copper is now in my beer.
I vaguely know that it's due to the difference in PH levels and I believe that I have read somewhere that it's actually good nutrients for yeast. Is that true? Should I be worried about all the gunk dissolving in my wort? Can anyone explain why the wort is able to pull this stuff off and other cleaning methods don't? Does the gunk settle to the bottom of the fermenter or does it mix with the flavors of your beer?
Sorry for the amount of questions, but I'd really like to know how this all works because most people just say "Ah, that happened with my IC but the beer turned out alright! "
Thanks.
I brewed an English Pale Ale and an Oatmeal Stout today and used my new copper immersion chiller for the first time.
I was concerned about the cleanliness of the IC going into the wort so I did research and found people suggesting vinegar and water to clean and oxidize (?) the copper. As a result, I rinsed the chiller with hot water and let it sit for 30 minutes in a solution of 1 cup vinegar and 5 gallons of hot water. I then rinsed the chiller off with warm water again and sprayed some Star San on it.
It didn't do much to the appearance of the copper but I knew it was cleaner than it previously was. I put the IC in during the boil to sanitize it but when I pulled it out the copper was spotless compared to the way it was when it went in...this means that all the stuff sitting on the copper is now in my beer.
I vaguely know that it's due to the difference in PH levels and I believe that I have read somewhere that it's actually good nutrients for yeast. Is that true? Should I be worried about all the gunk dissolving in my wort? Can anyone explain why the wort is able to pull this stuff off and other cleaning methods don't? Does the gunk settle to the bottom of the fermenter or does it mix with the flavors of your beer?
Sorry for the amount of questions, but I'd really like to know how this all works because most people just say "Ah, that happened with my IC but the beer turned out alright! "
Thanks.