cleaning ball valve and other issues

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Bwhamon, Sep 12, 2014.

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  1. Bwhamon

    Bwhamon Initiate (0) Aug 29, 2014 Kentucky

    New to brewing. I just bought all the parts for a igloo 10gal round cooler mash tun including a 3 piece blichmann 1/2" ball valve.

    1: For those who brew whole grain, do you remove the ball valve from your mash tun and completely clean each piece after each mash? Or do you just wash it while still connected to the mash tun?

    2: Do you take apart the 3 piece ball valve after each mash or just clean it in place?

    3: How do you get your tubing dry? I spin it as fast as I can to get most of the water out, but there are always tiny water drops that stay for up to 1 week before it finally dries. Is there a risk of mold leaving it to air dry for 1 week?

    4: I have 1/2 barb and 3/8 barb fittings for my mash tun. Do you find the 3/8 too slow or the 1/2 too fast for transfer? I am thinking go with the 1/2" and using the valve to control the flow. You can always slow it down.

    Thanks for your help. I really hope my first batch turns out good (in the secondary with 2oz of cascade). As soon as I finish my mash tun, I will be brewing a Citra smash DIPA.
     
    #1 Bwhamon, Sep 12, 2014
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  2. ballz50401

    ballz50401 Zealot (627) Jul 29, 2009 Iowa

    1: Wash and rinse it while it's still connected.
    2: Take apart and clean ball valves every 10 brews or so...
    3: Just hang dry the tubing. Be sure to wash, rinse, and sanitize before reusing.
    4: 1/2" will work fine. Control your flow with valve.

    Just remember that cleanliness & sanitation and healthy fermentation are most important. Enjoy the hobby!
     
    #2 ballz50401, Sep 12, 2014
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  3. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah

    I have a normal ball valve on my mash tun, it's not a 3 piece. No reason to take it apart.

    I will empty my tun halfway through the boil, and will run hot water through it, clean it out and rinse everything well. I never have mold or any issues.

    Tubing, I just hang to dry. Everything gets wetted out before use with star san anyways. I replace my tubing frequently anyways.

    Keep in mind, other than bugs and mold, mildew.. the mash tun is on the hot side of brewing. No real worries about contamination due to it all happening before the boil. Regardless, being clean is important. Sanitary is not paramount at this point.
     
    #3 FATC1TY, Sep 12, 2014
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  4. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,635) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    You don't have to take it apart, as it is on the hot side so every thing that goes through it gets boiled. Take it apart every 10+ brews and clean it. While rinsing work the valve a few times as that helps in the rinsing. Get a brush that you can run through it when it is open, that helps too.

    The ones on my conical get more attention, as those are on the cold side. I will admit that they don't get cleaned every batch.
     
    #4 hopfenunmaltz, Sep 12, 2014
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  5. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    I don't really ever clean mine. I have a normal (not 3 piece) BV on mine with quick disconnects. I run the beer from the MLT to the kettle via pump, rinse the lines with hot water afterwards, then run the wort through the lines post boil for the recirc and whirlpool, then rinse it all right after with hot water again then hang to dry, no issues. For the MLT I rinse with hot water from the chiller and run it through the BV to drain for a minute or so. Every so often I will blast hot water through the outlet of the BV back into the inside of the MLT. Never use cleaners since I have brass and aluminium, the aluminum will react with PBW or Oxiclean. Hot water has worked fine thus far.
     
    #5 jbakajust1, Sep 12, 2014
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  6. JohnSnowNW

    JohnSnowNW Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    I take my 3-piece off my MLT every once in a while, maybe every 20 brews. Otherwise, I just run hot water through the ball valve after every brew day, probably about 2 gallons of hot water.

    FWIW, when I have taken the ball valve apart, it hasn't ever been particularly dirty.
     
    #6 JohnSnowNW, Sep 12, 2014
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  7. koopa

    koopa Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2008 New Jersey

    Actually just took my 3 piece ball valve apart today (first time in probably 25 brews) and, by the looks of the inside, it was definitely overdue for a cleaning!
     
    #7 koopa, Sep 12, 2014
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  8. bgjohnston

    bgjohnston Initiate (0) Jan 14, 2009 Connecticut

    Like koopa, the first time I took apart my valve was after a good bit of use, and I was also surprised at how dirty it was. I never had an unintentionally infected beer, but I wouldn't want to culture any off-flavors unncessarily, either.

    Also, equipment kept reasonably clean lasts longer and works better, as a general rule.
     
    #8 bgjohnston, Sep 12, 2014
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  9. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    Cleaning a mash tun ball valve = overkill

    Caveat: unless u are doing a lot of sour mashes and are a pig :slight_smile:
     
    #9 GreenKrusty101, Sep 13, 2014
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  10. Bwhamon

    Bwhamon Initiate (0) Aug 29, 2014 Kentucky

    thanks for all the help.
     
    #10 Bwhamon, Sep 13, 2014
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