National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: Laughgov on August 27, 2016, 08:34:30 AM

Title: Element cleaning
Post by: Laughgov on August 27, 2016, 08:34:30 AM
Hi all. What is the best way of cleaning the element for the boil kettle. Its starting to get a little ugly/dirty looking. Is it kettle descaler stuff or other? The elements are in a stainless steal keg

Thanks again  :P
Title: Re: Element cleaning
Post by: molc on August 27, 2016, 09:04:31 AM
Throw-in 10L of water with 1-2 scoops of W5 at 60C. Let it soak for an hour then give everything a good scrub. An old toothbrush and really help.
Title: Re: Element cleaning
Post by: Shanna on August 27, 2016, 09:58:30 AM
Quote from: Laughgov on August 27, 2016, 08:34:30 AM
Hi all. What is the best way of cleaning the element for the boil kettle. Its starting to get a little ugly/dirty looking. Is it kettle descaler stuff or other? The elements are in a stainless steal keg

Thanks again  :P
If it's burnt on carbonised wort then it's unlikely W5 will shift it it. I had a similar problem after doing four successive 90 minute boils on 1.010 strength wort. I removed the elements and  I tried submerging the heating part of the elements in citric acid to no avail. I eventually used the blunt back edge of a small fruit paring knife to scrape it off. It took a hour or so and then I used a kitchen pot scrubber to scrub off the remaining build up.

The carbonised build up I had was jet black and crusted on tight. If yours is light brown or yellow I would hazard a guess it's a mixture of burnt wort & calcium carbonate from the water. If it's caked on hard probably best to try the citric acid solution if the W5 does not shift it.

Hope that helps.

Shanna
Title: Re: Element cleaning
Post by: darren996 on August 27, 2016, 02:24:40 PM
Double strength starsan eats through most build up on an element.  Immerse the element and leave it for a couple of hours.

If you have burnt on wort then get yourself some bar keepers friend. Make a paste out of it and rub it on and leave for a couple of minutes then give it a good scrub with a wire pad.
Title: Re: Element cleaning
Post by: Leann ull on August 27, 2016, 08:23:11 PM
You need to clean each time you use it and a tooth brush with w5 will do it neat starsan otherwise, don't use a Brillo pad on it.
I stole the misus's exfoliating sponge which has a rough side, well if it's good enough for her arse it's more that good enough for my elements.
Title: Re: Element cleaning
Post by: Laughgov on August 27, 2016, 09:58:31 PM
will try the W5 first. I have to go and get some. Then Ill thy and post before and after picis.
Thanks guys. Really appreciate it
Title: Re: Element cleaning
Post by: Laughgov on August 27, 2016, 10:02:17 PM
Quote from: CH on August 27, 2016, 08:23:11 PM
You need to clean each time you use it and a tooth brush with w5 will do it neat starsan otherwise, don't use a Brillo pad on it.
I stole the misus's exfoliating sponge which has a rough side, well if it's good enough for her arse it's more that good enough for my elements.

Bloody brillant. Ive had to pick meself off the floor from laughter  :P :P :P