Blocked Chiller Plate

[ice]

Hi all, Just got hold of a Miracle box off ebay, knew i was up for replacing the lines in it but upon reciving it
the chiller plate is blocked solid, ive tried pushing 140psi of air through it and it wont budge

any suggestions on how to unblock it and then clean it out ?

Thanks

 

[LethalCorpse]

caustic? CLR?

 

[sathid]

I would start with hot water.

 

[ice]

caustic? CLR?

imersing it it caustic would attack the alluminum though i take it. could possibly mix up a keg full and pump it through if i can get the blockage out first ?

anything else that will clean it ? im assuming it a would have a stainless tube in it, the connectors on it look like they are plated brass where it has worn off a little near the tip ill get some photos later

 

[ice]

I would start with hot water.

got it sitting on the stove now in a big saucepan

 

[ice]

got it sitting on the stove now in a big saucepan

i Got some absolutely putrid stuff out of it with hot water and compressed air, is cuastic the only thing to pump into it now or is there something better ? is caustic alright to put through a keg and fittings to get some presure and flow behind it ?

will it get rid of the smell? id hate to think what it would taste like anything that goes through it now

i had a can over the port so it didn't end up everywhere, this stuff is nasty hot water will not budge the residue thats left in the can

 

[LethalCorpse]

Maybe try PSR, napisan or similar first

 

[Adamt]

I would personally recommend you do not pressurise caustic solution.

If you do soak in a napisan solution, you have to rinse real well.

 

[ice]

got some flow out of it after boiling it in a huge pot on the stove and pumping it full of compressed air

since then ive pumped a lot of boiling water through it, then pumped some PSR through it and left it to soak overnight, ive then pumped some more water through it, then ive done the same with some napi san and left it to soak for a day, then pumped about 60 litres of hot water through it to rinse it out

what should i do now so that nothing nasty comes out of it or leaves a nasty taste or worst case makes someone sick ?

is there anything else i can put through it besides caustic ?

 

[Snow]

got some flow out of it after boiling it in a huge pot on the stove and pumping it full of compressed air

since then ive pumped a lot of boiling water through it, then pumped some PSR through it and left it to soak overnight, ive then pumped some more water through it, then ive done the same with some napi san and left it to soak for a day, then pumped about 60 litres of hot water through it to rinse it out

what should i do now so that nothing nasty comes out of it or leaves a nasty taste or worst case makes someone sick ?

is there anything else i can put through it besides caustic ?

mate sounds like you've well and truly cleaned it by now. If you're really worried, run some iodophor or other sanitiser through it and soak for a day, then rinse well with hot water, then pump CO2 through it and seal it up until you're ready to use it.

Cheers - Snow

 

[chovain]

is there anything else i can put through it besides caustic ?

I'd get some hot water in a pot, and keep it on the stove. Pump it through the line, and recirculate back into the pot. Let it run for a couple of hours or more. If anything survives that, then it's not going to make it into your beer. .

Replace the water and start again if it gets grotty.

 

[newguy]

Here's an idea. You obviously wouldn't do this for a long time as it will eventually damage the piping, but have you considered running some sand through? I've used a small amount of sand to scrub some crusty deposits off of the bottom of a carboy before, and it works really well. You don't even need a pump. Pour in a small amount of sand (couple of teaspoons), then hook up a hose to your household tap and turn on the water. If the sand flushes out any crud, repeat a couple of times.

 

[SpillsMostOfIt]

I'd get some hot water in a pot, and keep it on the stove. Pump it through the line, and recirculate back into the pot. Let it run for a couple of hours or more. If anything survives that, then it's not going to make it into your beer. .

Replace the water and start again if it gets grotty.

Perhaps add a little vinegar to get the stuff that laughed at the caustic?

 

[Dicko ACT]

got some flow out of it after boiling it in a huge pot on the stove and pumping it full of compressed air

since then ive pumped a lot of boiling water through it, then pumped some PSR through it and left it to soak overnight, ive then pumped some more water through it, then ive done the same with some napi san and left it to soak for a day, then pumped about 60 litres of hot water through it to rinse it out

what should i do now so that nothing nasty comes out of it or leaves a nasty taste or worst case makes someone sick ?

is there anything else i can put through it besides caustic ?

Where are you ICE?

I would recommend mixing up some Bracton and running it through. I have a heap here in Canberra but I do not think I am aloud to post it due to its volatile nature. It is almost a sure bet your local pub uses Bracton. They might be able to spot you some.

You would need enough to make 5L, 60ml DP1 and 15ml DP2. Mix them in 5L of water, but NEVER mix them together straight. If you are using a keg, it is a lot easier (and the keg gets a solid clean as well). Connect to your plate chiller, run about 2 liters through, and then let it sit for 2-3 hours (the active life of Bracton is 4 hours when mixed). After that flush with about 5-10 liters of tap water (make sure if you are using the same keg you had Bracton in to rinse it thoroughly). After you have done that, you are ready to roll.

Dicko

 

[Russell_Bracton]

Where are you ICE?

I would recommend mixing up some Bracton and running it through. I have a heap here in Canberra but I do not think I am aloud to post it due to its volatile nature. It is almost a sure bet your local pub uses Bracton. They might be able to spot you some.

You would need enough to make 5L, 60ml DP1 and 15ml DP2. Mix them in 5L of water, but NEVER mix them together straight. If you are using a keg, it is a lot easier (and the keg gets a solid clean as well). Connect to your plate chiller, run about 2 liters through, and then let it sit for 2-3 hours (the active life of Bracton is 4 hours when mixed). After that flush with about 5-10 liters of tap water (make sure if you are using the same keg you had Bracton in to rinse it thoroughly). After you have done that, you are ready to roll.

Dicko

Alternatively you can use Bracton TWIN (cheaper) or Bracton Low pH (safer) and suitable for your situation. However be sure to follow the safety instructions on the bottle.

regards,

russ