# Wort chiller has degraded tubing gunk on it

**URL:** <https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/wort-chiller-has-degraded-tubing-gunk-on-it/23085>\
**Category:** Systems, Gear, & DIY\
**Created:** [April 26, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/wort-chiller-has-degraded-tubing-gunk-on-it/23085 "2016-04-26T15:45:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![roysbrew1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/50afbb/32.png) [@roysbrew1](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/roysbrew1)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/wort-chiller-has-degraded-tubing-gunk-on-it/23085/1 "2016-04-26T15:45:46Z")

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The tubing on my wort copper chiller has started degrading and has left a sticky gooey mess all over the copper tubing.&nbsp; What is the best way to clean the gunk off copper tubing without damaging it?

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**Author:** ![skatz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/skatz/32/6982_2.png) [@skatz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/skatz)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/wort-chiller-has-degraded-tubing-gunk-on-it/23085/2 "2016-04-26T15:51:05Z")

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The PVC tubing is degrading?

I clean my chiller in oxyclean after using it. If you have stuff that is stuck on there, scrape it off with a copper scrub pad.

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**Author:** ![roysbrew1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/50afbb/32.png) [@roysbrew1](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/roysbrew1)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2016, 4:07pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/wort-chiller-has-degraded-tubing-gunk-on-it/23085/3 "2016-04-26T16:07:49Z")

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Yes, it is the PVC tubing that is degrading.&nbsp; It is like super glue that won’t dry.

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**Author:** ![skatz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/skatz/32/6982_2.png) [@skatz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/skatz)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/wort-chiller-has-degraded-tubing-gunk-on-it/23085/4 "2016-04-26T16:22:22Z")

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I would warm it up to soften it further and scrub with a copper pad. Replace it with higher quality tubing that can handle a boil or higher. Silicone is nice for the temp capacity, but it’s price and sometimes the lack of rigidity is a pain.

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**Author:** ![roysbrew1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/50afbb/32.png) [@roysbrew1](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/roysbrew1)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2016, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/wort-chiller-has-degraded-tubing-gunk-on-it/23085/5 "2016-04-26T17:57:11Z")

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I will give the copper pad a try.  
Thanks

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![skatz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/skatz/32/6982_2.png) [@skatz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/skatz)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/wort-chiller-has-degraded-tubing-gunk-on-it/23085/6 "2016-04-26T18:39:51Z")

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If the copper pad doesn’t work, try stainless.