Asking for Advice
I posted earlier about a used brewhouse my company purchased a few weeks ago. This is the first iteration from this company of a traditional German-style pub brewhouse 3.5BBL electric with some super low watt density heating elements.
When we purchased the system, we found the heating elements, and the threads that mount the heating elements to the bulkhead were corroded, and the terminals as well. Turns out these elements are copper.
I have been in contact with the OEM about replacements, and they insist that copper elements are fine. I always thought stainless was the norm.
My major concerns are:
- Leeching/metallic flavor. Copper is going to require lots of cleaning and care to ensure no leeching into the beer.
- Cleaning. I will have to use PBW to clean the copper, instead of caustic. Followed by a vinegar or citric acid cycle. More work.
- Longevity. The reason we have to replace these elements is the amount of corrosion on them right now - I can't even get a continuity check on the terminals except for 1 element. I worry that the copper elements will wear quickly.
I have contacted Tempco to make some custom stainless elements, they have been very helpful, but the cost is about 4x the copper elements from China.
Any and all advice is always appreciated.