Removing mold from the brass valve fitting

[hill1649]

Hi all,

I've been given a couple of 2 gallon barrels, the S30 valve nut of one of the lids has mold on it - any idea how to clean this up? Is it possible to salvage it? How do you sanitise these valves? Many thanks.

Lorna

 

[Bigjas]

I've just done the same thing. I put mine in to a small cup of Pepsi Cola for a couple of days. It came out looking like new....

 

[hill1649]

I've just done the same thing. I put mine in to a small cup of Pepsi Cola for a couple of days. It came out looking like new....

Thanks, will give this a go.

 

[kelper]

Tomato ketchup does well too. Keep brass away from chlorine-based sanitisers!

 

[hill1649]

Tomato ketchup does well too. Keep brass away from chlorine-based sanitisers!

Thanks. Presumably the no rinse sanitisers are okay for sterilising? they appear to be acid based rather than chlorine based.

 

[kelper]

The oxygen sanitisers should be OK.

 

[DixeySJ]

I recently bought a new one and the product leaflet warned against Sodium Metabisulphate as well. I seem to remember I cleaned one up with Brasso - but the Pepsi tip sounds worth knowing!

 

[hill1649]

The oxygen sanitisers should be OK.

Cheers!

 

[hill1649]

I recently bought a new one and the product leaflet warned against Sodium Metabisulphate as well. I seem to remember I cleaned one up with Brasso - but the Pepsi tip sounds worth knowing!

I'm using Coca Cola - seems to be doing the business.

I'm not sure what the problem is with using Sodium Metabisulphate???

 

[An Ankoù]

It's unlikely to be mould but verdigris, a corrosion product of the brass. You certainly don't want it in your beer. Years ago I used to keep my pressure barrels "sweet" by putting a bit of sodium metabisulphite solution in there. It always turned the brassware green so stopped doing it. They'll clean up fine. The worst was with the earlier aluminium fittings.

 

[hill1649]

It's unlikely to be mould but verdigris, a corrosion product of the brass. You certainly don't want it in your beer. Years ago I used to keep my pressure barrels "sweet" by putting a bit of sodium metabisulphite solution in there. It always turned the brassware green so stopped doing it. They'll clean up fine. The worst was with the earlier aluminium fittings.

Thanks. Yes, on closer inspection it wasn't mold but corrosion. Does look like it's cleaning up nicely, if slowly. Thankfully, none of my other fittings are looking damaged!

 

[kelper]

A wire brush would clean it.

Brass is naturally anti-bacterial; so, when you sanitise your equipment, just cover the brass with a smear of vaseline or food-grade grease. Not the vaseline you keep upstairs.

 

[hill1649]

A wire brush would clean it.

I was thinking about using some wire wool on it - but that means digging around in the garden shed and there are huge spiders in there! If the Coca Cola doesn't work I'll venture in!

 

[An Ankoù]

I was thinking about using some wire wool on it - but that means digging around in the garden shed and there are huge spiders in there! If the Coca Cola doesn't work I'll venture in!

Buggger that for a game of soldiers. Leave it to the spiders and use a Brillo pad.