I’m about to brew my first full volume/all grain batch in over ten years. I dug my old copper IC out of storage and it has a few spots of green on it but mostly seems to have weathered the time in storage well. Other than scrubbing the green spots off, washing it down with OxyClean and replacing the tubing, do I need to do anything to clean it up before putting it into my boil?
Tomorrow is my first brew day in over a decade, wish me luck!
A good scrub with Oxyclean, rinse and then a short soak in Starsan/Saniclean and you’ll be good to go.
Good luck with the brew!
Once it’s cleaned as mainebrewer describes, ideally you shouldn’t use any cleaners on it. Give it a thorough rinse with hot water immediately after each use. Over time let it acquire a dull, reddish brown finish, like an old penny; this passive oxide layer will ensure that the copper is not reacting with wort. Either alkaline cleaners or acids will occasionally be needed if corrosion or other stubborn gunk builds up, as has happened with yours in storage, but they remove this passive finish. You don’t really want bright, shiny copper! If there is a deposit of material from hops, wort, etc. that won’t just rinse off with a hot spray hose after use, first try dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge before resorting to stronger cleaners. And welcome back to brewing, have fun!
Welcome back to homebrewing from just South of you in N AL.
Thanks!
Thanks to all, I’ve got my IC cleaned and ready to go in the morning!
SMaSH Beer
10# MO
.25oz Citra @ 60min
.75oz Citra @ 30min
1oz Citra @ 0min
US-05 Yeast