I will be doing my first all grain brew in a few days, and using an immersion chiller for the first time. What is the best/recommended way to clean one before it’s first use: soak for a couple of hours in PBW/OxiClean and sanitize in the boil, or is there a preferred way you guys have used?
I rinse mine off well after each use and put in boil with 10-15 minutes left on next brew day. Never had an issue.
Hey Erik, I’d say soak in PBW, rinse and you’re good to go. When you’re brewing just drop it in 10-15 minutes left of the boil to sanitize and you’re good to go.
Thanks. Just trying to make sure there’s nothing on it since it will be the first time it has been used.
A light scrubbing after the soak won’t hurt.
Also based on other people’s experiences I’d recommend using a clean paper towel or a clean white cloth to wipe the surfaces after you’ve washed/rinsed. If you get any black residue that may be a sign that some machine oil or other manufacturing “schmutz” is left on it that might need heavier treatment.
I heard this from someone who bought a stainless chiller. I’ve never had the same experience with a copper chiller, but I’ve seen it enough on “new metal” that it seems like cheap peace of mind before first-time use.
Also I’ve heard recommended that a short soak in white vinegar will remove any copper oxides on new chillers.
Prior to first use, I would soak it in hot PBW, very light quick scrub with blue scrubby, then star san soak for a few minutes. Hang to dry. Then add to boil kettle with 20 minutes left in boil to sanitize and good to go. Pull out of boil kettle to clean when done with quick scrub and water rinse prior to storing.
Every so often I drop mine in the StarSan bucket for 30 minutes or so when I’m ready to replace my StarSan mix. It comes out so shiny nothing could be left on it. It might be a quick way to make sure it starts clean.
Every so often isn’t more than every 1 to 2 years though. As long as you rinse it well after use and boil for 15 in each beer you shouldn’t have issues.
I’ll warn you, the smell of the combination of copper and StarSan is not pleasant. Just saying.
Paul
Lots of good tips. Thank you all.