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Author Topic: Clean Brew pot after Mercury contamination  (Read 1108 times)

Offline Robertthebrews

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Clean Brew pot after Mercury contamination
« on: November 05, 2018, 09:30:45 am »
How do I safely clean my stainless steel brewpot and stainless steel valve  contaminated with liquid Mercury. 

Last night I clipped a 12" lab thermometer into my cooling boil pot at about 83 °F waiting for those last few degrees to drop off and, as it clipped over the edge of the boil pot, it slapped against the side breaking off the tip.  I auto-siphoned to a glass carboy and didn't see any mercury so i proceeded, with cleaning the pot but emptying into a brew bucket through the valve.  At the bottom of the brew pot was left many small beads of mercury.  I wiped it up with a damp paper towel, but there are still a few small beads left.  I read on the EPA website that sulfur powder or zinc dust can bind to it and solidify it.  I just wonder if all of that is going to work on the valve and if these steps will be good enough to call it good to use again.  Is there a liquid option that may get into the valve better?  The pot was expensive, so I hate to chuck it, but i don't want to be scared to drink my own beer either.  Any thoughts?


FYI-There was a previous thread asking if there was mercury in their floating thermometer that diverged far from the intent of this thread.  So links to that thread are not necessary.  Also I have ziplocked all contaminated paper towels and clothing for proper disposal.


Offline kramerog

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Re: Clean Brew pot after Mercury contamination
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2018, 02:44:44 pm »
It has been a long time since I've cleaned up a mercury spill.  While you figure out what to do, keep the pot outside. 

Offline a10t2

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Re: Clean Brew pot after Mercury contamination
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2018, 02:54:01 pm »
If your valve doesn't come apart for cleaning, you can replace it for ~$10, and I would.

Aside from that, the silver lining (couldn't help myself) of a mercury spill is that it's basically immiscible. You can blow/rinse out any remaining droplets and be good to go.
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Offline ynotbrusum

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Re: Clean Brew pot after Mercury contamination
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2018, 04:30:05 am »
I had to look that word up - like oil and water being immiscible...ya learn something new everyday on this forum!
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Offline soymateofeo

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Re: Clean Brew pot after Mercury contamination
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2018, 11:24:53 am »
I just checked my thermometer. It is not mercury.  whoo! *wiping sweat*  crisis averted.