Wort chiller changed color after first use

[MrSmug]

Just purchased a copper wort chiller and I washed it down before its first use. After its first use I noticed that the all the parts that were submerged look noticeably different than the unexposed parts... it actually looks super clean. Is this normal?

 

[sendkyleanemail]

Yep! Your hot wort cleaned it better than what ever you did to clean it before use did. The gunk is washed off is in your beer now, but that's most likely not a huge deal, especially if you cleaned it first. It's mostly oxidation that makes the copper look dull. A good boiling wort makes those things really shine! Be sure to clean it well right after use . A quick spray down with star San after a good rinse is also good

 

[thirstyutahn]

Ya totally normal . It was all shiny and almost gold instead of dull, dark copper? I always throw my chiller in the boil for the last 10 min. To clean it I just use some hot water rinse off all the sugars and hop/break material. I shake it upside down and let hang it to dry.

 

[MrSmug]

Can/Should I get it to match by boiling the top? Do I run the risk of f'ing it up some how.. ie the solder between the top coils at the top come undone?

 

[BBL_Brewer]

You're not gonna hurt that solder one bit unless you take a torch to it. Use some vinegar and water to shine it up with. Boil the water and vinegar and put the chiller in for a few minutes.

 

[MrSmug]

You're not gonna hurt that solder one bit unless you take a torch to it. Use some vinegar and water to shine it up with. Boil the water and vinegar and put the chiller in for a few minutes.

Figured... but thought I would double check about the solder points. Anyway I tried just boiling water and putting the top part of in for 20 mins but not much happened. You sa vinegar will get me that nice shiny appearance? In what proportions should I use?

Thanks

 

[kh54s10]

I don't worry too much about my IC. I just rinse it well when done. I put it in the pot with 15 minutes of boil left. I figure the steam is enough for the top part a little spray of starsan at the very top - good to go.

It does have an lighter shiny look to it especially right after the brew session.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

Figured... but thought I would double check about the solder points. Anyway I tried just boiling water and putting the top part of in for 20 mins but not much happened. You sa vinegar will get me that nice shiny appearance? In what proportions should I use?

Thanks

About 1 cup per gallon should do the trick. Works better and faster with boiling water.

 

[P-J]

Figured... but thought I would double check about the solder points. Anyway I tried just boiling water and putting the top part of in for 20 mins but not much happened. You sa vinegar will get me that nice shiny appearance? In what proportions should I use?

Thanks

Please give this a read: John Palmer howtobrew appendix B

It will explain a lot.

 

[MrSmug]

Thanks for the link

If the chiller wasn't bright and shiny when it went into the wort, guess where the grime and oxides ended up? Yep, in your beer.

Does that mean I messed up my batch? Will you be able to taste this grime?

 

[P-J]

Does that mean I messed up my batch? Will you be able to taste this grime?

No problem at all. What got dissolved was simply copper oxide. It will not affect your brew at all. No worries.