Cobra's Homebrew Tips

Vol. 3 - Cleaning Your Brewpots

Homebrewing March 11, 2004
Written by Cobra

, N/A -

Cleaning that stainless steel brewpot. (And hints for aluminum too.)
You will need: An oxalic acid based cleanser such as Bar Keepers Friend / OR
/ PBW- Powdered Brewery Wash

A plastic scrubbie

A 3M Scotchbrite pad (the rough green thing)

A regular sponge

Some liquid detergent (Dawn or the like)

Let's get down & dirty ( or clean as the case may be).

Let's assume you've made yourself a big 'ole batch of homebrewed beer, and
now you have a scorched pot, or maybe a brewpot covered with baked-on crud
from a boil over.

How to clean it, you might ask? Here's how to do it. First of all- NEVER - and I mean NEVER use a steel wool pad like SOS or Brillo on your stainless steel pot. If you happen to get a few steel wool fibers stuck in the pot, it will rust like no tomorrow. That being said, if your pot is only lightly dirtied, then wash it with a regular kitchen sponge, using Dawn or the like, and rinse thoroughly. For the heavier dirt, like a mild boil over, use the Scotchbrite pad, and some Dawn to remove the soil. Again, rinse well. Now, if you're like me, and have had a major boil over, and it's really burned on good, try letting it soak overnight in a laundry sink, if you have one. Using hot water, fill the
sink, and sprinkle PBW OR BKF in the water. Never use both at the same time,
as gases will be formed that are hazardous to your health.

Now, if you really have a nasty brewpot, or a converted keg, like I do, then
fill the vessel with the hottest water you can use, and sprinkle liberal
amounts of whatever chemical you're using inside it. Scrub it well with a plastic scrubbie, or a Scotchbrite pad, until it comes clean.

Note: this might take several times doing it until it comes clean. Hey, nobody said it would be easy. It does require some elbow grease. Now for aluminum: Do not scrub it bright clean between uses, as it will lend a metallic taste to your beer. I hope this has been helpful to you.

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