13 replies to this topic

[Stout_fan]

I generally soak the whole wort modulator in Star San prior to aeration.And I soak it again after.Well, this time days before the last brew, I just thought I'd unscrew it from the wort modulator and just have a look at it.Yep, it had some funk on one corner. So I threw it in a pot of water and boiled it for 15 minutes.Then I did the usual Star San routine. Attached the aquarium pump and the bubbles were way down and not foamy, like they used to be.So afterward I pulled it out of the wort modulator and had a look-see.It looked OK, but the bubbles were coming from the area near the stem and at the end. Only they weren't the small foamy type.Also after boiling, the stone now pulls off of the SS pipe. Looking inside I saw more gunk (a technical term) and this time boiled just the stone.Then I ran put it on the edge of my SS sink and put some Star San inside and it all ran out. Did a water flush.The gunk is gone, but the odd bubbles remain.I'm wondering if the stone is still clogged from water.Should I bake it or what?Help appreciated. Can't really afford to buy a new one right now, and my cheap side says this should be repairable.

Edited by Stout_fan, 25 November 2009 - 08:50 AM.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I generally soak the whole wort modulator in Star San prior to aeration.And I soak it again after.Well, this time days before the last brew, I just thought I'd unscrew it from the wort modulator and just have a look at it.Yep, it had some funk on one corner. So I threw it in a pot of water and boiled it for 15 minutes.Then I did the usual Star San routine. Attached the aquarium pump and the bubbles were way down and not foamy, like they used to be.So afterward I pulled it out of the wort modulator and had a look-see.It looked OK, but the bubbles were coming from the area near the stem and at the end. Only they weren't the small foamy type.Also after boiling, the stone now pulls off of the SS pipe. Looking inside I saw more gunk (a technical term) and this time boiled just the stone.Then I ran put it on the edge of my SS sink and put some Star San inside and it all ran out. Did a water flush.The gunk is gone, but the odd bubbles remain.I'm wondering if the stone is still clogged from water.Should I bake it or what?Help appreciated. Can't really afford to buy a new one right now, and my cheap side says this should be repairable.

I read you shouldn't handle them with your fingers b/c the oils can clog the holes. is this what's going on maybe?

[stangbat]

My stone doesn't attach to anything, the tubing just friction fits over the end of the stone. But I boil my stone on brew day then put it in Starsan. After use I boil it again and let it air dry. Probably overkill but I don't want anything living in it in between brews. I've never had any problems due to boiling, but obviously you have dislodged "gunk" and are suffering the consequences. Can you maybe back flush it with some tubing and pressure, maybe using your CO2 tank? I also take care not to handle it with my fingers, I use a paper towel.

[RommelMagic]

I read you shouldn't handle them with your fingers b/c the oils can clog the holes. is this what's going on maybe?

+1?EDIT: I would not bake it though. Dry heat will probably only harden any clog that is in there.

Edited by RommelMagic, 25 November 2009 - 09:35 AM.

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

Do you have a pic? My air stone has a barb fitting on one side to connect a hose.

[tag]

You may have cooked the stuff into the pores. Try a long soak in hot PBW or caustic if you have it.

[klickcue]

I would try a nice long soak in white vinegar, 10 percent Phosphoric Acid or Lime-A-Way.This will dissolve any calcium and beer stone build up that is trapped in the stone.Star San, if given enough time should do the same thing.None of the products will hurt you. Give a good fresh water rinse, sanitize and you should be good to go.

[Kansan]

I would try a nice long soak in white vinegar, 10 percent Phosphoric Acid or Lime-A-Way.This will dissolve any calcium and beer stone build up that is trapped in the stone.Star San, if given enough time should do the same thing.None of the products will hurt you. Give a good fresh water rinse, sanitize and you should be good to go.

This is a good approach, I found that my stone does better when I boil it in a "double-boiler" type configuration. I actually take a small cone-shaped hand strainer and set it across the top of a smaller pot of boiling water. This keeps it off the bottom, and up near the top where all the agitation of the boiling surface water is at. Also it allows me to shake and swirl it often during the boiling process, which I think might aid a bit in the shaking\loosening out of any grungies!

[dondewey]

Acid will get rid of scale and some solvent (alcohol) should get rid of oily deposits. As long as you don't take a torch or grinding implement to it, I don't think there is much you can do to hurt it. This is a SS stone, right?

[Stout_fan]

Do you have a pic? My air stone has a barb fitting on one side to connect a hose.

I bought the one that is a 1/2" SS pipe plug.Next to the ruler at the 9" mark.I just plunked the SS stone assembly in a sauce pan and boiled it.Don't think I touched it. However, now I've noticed the stone can be removed from the SS tube. It appears to only be a press fit. A bit of force is required. But one of the big air leaks is along the weld seam of the SS tube. Wondering if they had some epoxy or something in there as a seal that I destroyed by boiling.Also my air source is an aquarium pump. So what little air flow I have is leaking out that gap. I'm also thinking if I shoot a higher pressure from my compressor into this to test operation. Then if I epoxy seal the tube back it ought to be OK.I do have vinegar and can do a soak, then boil just to remove any calcium deposits just in case.Like the suspended in a strainer idea, thanks. I'll give that a whirl.

[tag]

I think the stone is just press-fit. When mine fell apart I just tapped it back in place. Maybe I better check again.I think compressors can have oil in them that you don't want in your beer.Back to the kitchen, see ya.

[Stout_fan]

I'll use an oil separator filter. I use it when spray gel coat.thanks for reminding me.

[Brownbeard]

I just use the ceramic aquarium stones and toss them after each batch.

[Cheatin Bastard]

HI.Im not sure how this applies to your stone but here are my experiences.I started many years ago with a .5 mic air stone.After only a few uses and boling it between uses it would clog BAD. I also pumped air through it in star san when cleaning each time.After many test runs on different approaches to clearing it, I found that the best was to hold it with a pliers and cook the heckoutta it with a hand held propane torch till it glowed almost.Guess what? It worked like new after that. Problem was after a couple of brews it would be near 100% clogged exactly as before. I finally tossed it and now use a 2 mic. which works just fine. C.B