Time to go Stainless?

[robthefrog]

So after a successful brew night last night, I was scrubbing my aluminum brew pot to get some of the cakes on trub off the sides, when I noticed a black-grey substance coming off the pot, it also smelled very metallic. Is this aluminum leaching from the pot? If so is it time for me to get a stainless steal pot?

I've been in the market for a pot anyway, can anyone suggest a decent pot for doing an all grain boil (7+ gallons)?

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

you're not s'posed to scrub aluminum to clean it. you'll scrub off the passive oxide layer that keeps the aluminum from leeching. read the sticky on aluminum vs. stainless.

 

[robthefrog]

you're not s'posed to scrub aluminum to clean it. you'll scrub off the passive oxide layer that keeps the aluminum from leeching. read the sticky on aluminum vs. stainless.

Damn I guess I screwed the pooch on that one.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

no biggie. just reboil some water in the kettle or bake it at 350. you can recreate the layer easily. i wash my aluminum kettle with hot water and a soft cloth only. when it's really dirty, i boil water in it to clean.

 

[rhamilton]

Yep. I just boil with a bit of baking soda and my pot and electric elements are squeaky clean

 

[robthefrog]

Super sweet. So I'll boil some water for 30 minutes and get that oxide layer back and I should be good to go? Then to clean it I'll boil with some baking soda. Awesome tips guys! thanks

 

[tsimo33]

What happens if you do a batch without the passive oxidized layer. I did my first batch in aluminum before I read about the oxidizing layer and I think it turned out pretty good although since it was my first batch I don't have anything to compare it with. My second batch I did with the layer on it but it is still in the fermenter so not sure how much of a difference it made yet.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

Super sweet. So I'll boil some water for 30 minutes and get that oxide layer back and I should be good to go? Then to clean it I'll boil with some baking soda. Awesome tips guys! thanks

yep, the layer will reform. the boiling will get it nice and clean too. thanks for the baking soda tip, Rhamilton!

 

[rhamilton]

You may get off-flavors and possibly slight leaching depending on temps and pH - also etching.

I've saved many expensive cookware pieces with baking soda. It'll remove pretty much anything from aluminum; brown/black oil spots, burnt sugars, and that green hop residue that sticks after a 100+IBU boil.

 

[TopherM]

Also with aluminum, strong acid-based cleaners, like OxyClean, will destroy the oxidized layer, so you want to use a base-based cleaner, like baking soda.