Beer Reacting with Copper & Aluminum - Need Help

[mdboulier]

I'm building a heat exchanger that will be immersed in my carboy for the entire fermentation (temp controller). I've made some prototypes out of Copper and Aluminum....

I know we all use copper short term for cooling and many of us use Aluminum brewpots, but will either Cu or Al in constant, direct contact with fermenting beer chemically react over the lifespan of the fermentation?

Thanks!

 

[bruin_ale]

I've read that copper during fermentation is a no-no. I'd buy a stainless coil and use that. Not sure about aluminum, not sure I've seen aluminum tubing anyways.

 

[SD-SLIM]

This article should help! http://***********/component/resour...November 2007/1149-metallurgy-for-homebrewers

 

[mdboulier]

This article should help! http://***********/component/resour...November 2007/1149-metallurgy-for-homebrewers

Great article, thanks. Seems like it will be necessary to go with stainless steel.

 

[SD-SLIM]

This guy has the best prices I have found: http://nybrewsupply.com/products/tubing-steel.php