Thinking of chlorine and goldfish....

[WelshPaul]

Yes, odd subject for a beer forum, I know.
I was pondering how best to remove chlorine from water (not just using a Campden tablet to remove chloramine) when preparing beer and I remembered something from when I used to have several aquariums 15 or so years ago.

When preparing to change some of the water, it was always advised to remove chlorine to to its toxicity to fish. In this case, I'm concerned about it producing excess phenolic flavours but the practice remains the same. The two best practices were to use a dedicated chlorine-neutralising chemical (not an option here!) or to pour the water and to let it stand for several hours or overnight.
Has anyone done this to remove chlorine from water? I was thinking of pouring out my water the night before brew day and letting it stand.

 

[PD]

yep thats good practise..... :thumb:

 

[WelshPaul]

Good to know, thanks. I only had the idea today after drinking an offering from a local brewery that tasted distinctly phenol-esque. I've never had a problem yet (touch wood) but it's always best to try to anticipate them.

 

[PD]

If I'm doing a normal mash and brew in a day. I have all my water standing o/night in hlt with campden tablet and heat following day

 

[rpt]

Leaving water to stand may get rid of the chlorine but it doesn't help with chloramine so you need the campden tablet.

 

[WelshPaul]

Leaving water to stand may get rid of the chlorine but it doesn't help with chloramine so you need the campden tablet.

Yes, I'll be doing a brew tonight after work so have left the water to stand in the kitchen this morning and have already added a campden tablet.

 

[calumscott]

Campden Tables DO remove free chlorine...

Except free chlorine isn't free, when it's dissolved in water it forms Hypochlorous Acid. Campden Tabs turn that into Hydrochloric acid and Sulphuric Acid.

Relax, chuck in a Campden secure in the knowledge that it will batter all the chlorine species in your water. :thumb:

 

[Duncs]

I always let mine stand for a couple of weeks while the yeast is working Wouldn't that remove the chlorine too?

I also use Campden to remove the chloramine

 

[Swift Pint]

Campden Tables DO remove free chlorine...

Except free chlorine isn't free, when it's dissolved in water it forms Hypochlorous Acid. Campden Tabs turn that into Hydrochloric acid and Sulphuric Acid.

Relax, chuck in a Campden secure in the knowledge that it will batter all the chlorine species in your water. :thumb:

Yep, campden will remove the chlorine and chloromines, problem solved! :thumb:

 

[Hawks]

I always let mine stand for a couple of weeks while the yeast is working Wouldn't that remove the chlorine too?

That would be too late, you need the chlorine out before you mash

I also use Campden to remove the chloramine

But this means you'll be OK :thumb: