Just wondering if anyone out there has a standard solution acid concentration for use in removing beerstone from brew kettles as mentioned by Drew Beechum on the most recent podcast? Also, which type of acid do you use?
Any insight would be appreciated, as I have always done an overnight soak with PBW or Craftmeister in the past, but I understand the acid approach is quick and effortless. I plan a New Year’s Day brewery and keg cleaning and beer racking day.
No to high jack, but, I have a question about this also. Does Drew’s method work for Aluminum kettles?
Drew mentioned citric acid in the show. I think the strength may be written on the container. He said low strength if I recall correctly.
Bar keepers friend and a light scrubbing usually does the trick for me
John Blichmann told me that distilled vinegar is their favorite acidic cleaner for beer stone. I found that it works well. BKF works well too.
I’ve heard of people using Starssan at increased strength
I’ve used StarSan acid #5, and it worked OK. Overnight with PBW works very well too. Craftmeister is OK.
BKF is the best in my opinion. And I scored on 4 cases (8 cans each) of the large cans awhile back. Believe it or not, Bed, Bath and Beyond. Cheapest price, ($2 for 21 ounce) and since I bought so much, shipping was free.
And of course a bunch of blue scrubbies
I have some stone in an old sanke and not sure what to do about it. Probably just try a few things and see what works. I know that professionally the solution is to follow certain protocol so that it doesn’t form in the first place. Anyone see issues with running bkf through a cip spinner ball?
I just learned something. BKF is manufactured in Indy. I did not know that prior.
I use Bar Keepers Friend in the liquid form. My local Home Depot carries it.
I use BKF and elbow grease, but I’m liking the distilled vinegar idea. May try that out shortly.
Is there a theoretical advantage to using bkf, considering that it is oxalic acid and beer stone is calcium oxalate?
Big advantage that like Nitric acid, oxalic acid will do a good job of passivating the stainless.
Starsan Acid #5 works like a champ at recommended doses.
I read somewhere on this forum of someone using Star San sanitizer. They used 1oz of Star San to 2 gals of warm water. This is a little over 2 times regular strength so use gloves and eye protection. I tried this on my Keggle MT and BK and it worked well, I was pleased with the result. Also I found using an old milk crate to lay them on the side and turning them periodically works well too. My valves and thermos fit inside the crate. cheers, Mike
you guys use BKF on the inside of kegs? I’ve always been scared to do that.
I use Acid #5 for my brewing system. a recirculating loop seems to help it do its job best.
would love to be able to use BKF for some items, however.
I am not sure of the speed of the distilled vinegar process - I soaked in a 5% solution (straight from the gallon jug of the stuff, which is labeled as 5%) for about an hour and upon scrubbing with a blue scrubby, I found no discernible difference occurring, so I dumped it and rinsed repeatedly and am now soaking my BK in PBW for the second day. I am pretty sure it will peel off the beerstone, but I have BKF at the ready, if the PBW falls short…
Thanks for the info. I was gonna use it soon but that doesn’t sound like something to spend time on.
I used to have this problem when I would just soak my brew kettle with PBW after brew day. It would leave a lot of residue. I started using about 1 Oz of 85% phosphoric acid in about a half gallon to gallon of water and letting that soak followed by PBW. That usually worked pretty well but not perfect. Now I just scrub with Bar Keepers Friend after I’m done brewing. That stuff is like magic. No need for PBW or the acid wash.
Acid 5 is my preferred cleaner of choice, but 5 star is a little wary of that one being in the homebrew market since you can very easily be an idiot with it.
Otherwise, I use citric acid or BKF.