Electric element

[paulgough]

I have just finished a brew day and have cleaned my boiler.

I have noticed a black scale on the heating element.

It won't seem to shift although small black flakes do come off when I re boil

Any ideas of what it is and how I can clean it off?

 

[EskiBrew]

sounds like caramelised wort - a boil with some citric acid would probably shift it :thumb:

 

[PD]

yes lime scale is usually white/grey
black dark brown is as said caramalised sugars

Oxy clean or citric will clean it....Never scrape it off

 

[paulgough]

It wasn't black after the boil, just after cleaning.

My guess is that I used too much cleaner and caused a reaction with the limescale that was on there as well.

 

[bobsbeer]

What cleaner did you use? But any acid should dissolve it.

 

[paulgough]

I used VWP

 

[paulgough]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[dennisking]

+1 for citric acid. Does a good job.

 

[bobsbeer]

Oxyclean also softens the deposits so they are easy to rub off with a scotch pad. No need to boil, just heat the water, or put in enough hot water to cover the elements and a scoop of oxyclean. Leave for 20-30 mins and wipe off.