Cleaning the Pot

[losthog]

Thinking of my first build, I plan to use a copper boiling pot. Mostly due to the ease of working with the metal compared to SS. (I can Weld copper and have the tools to do so). That being said. I have heard that the copper oxidation should be cleaned out of the boiling pot. How is a boil pot kept clean if it is a sealed unit? I realize that there will be an outlet valve on the bottom of the unit to discharge the wash(?) and even with a removable cap column how are the deep corners kept clean?

Reading through the forum... most suggest a vinegar boil made up of 1:5 ratio vinegar to water. For deeper cleaning some harsher chemicals can be used.

So I will never have to "hand scrub" my boil pot on the inside?

[Dnderhead]

the acids in the was does a pretty good job of cleaning unless you burn something.

[Usge]

I used a copper pot for 2 years...Mostly just rinsed it good after a run. it will discolor over time, but it never had any adverse effect..and like Dunder says...the hotslops pretty much takes care of things. But, if you want to take it down the shiznit, use citric acid (1 teaspoon per gallon water) and let it soak overnight. It'll look like a new penny next day everywhere that water touches.

[Bushman]

I just rinse the boiler out after each run, actually this last run is the first time I waited until the next morning as it was so late when I finally finished the run. The boiler was still warm so it was easy to rinse. About every 5-7th run I clean it with a keg cleaning solution that I purchased at our local brewery supply store.