Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Water disenfectant question  (Read 2014 times)

Offline Buckeye Hydro

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 24
Re: Water disenfectant question
« Reply #15 on: February 02, 2022, 06:07:57 am »
If you want to get a carbon filter to address the chlorine, give us a call and we can spec the correct carbon filter based upon how fast you want to allow water to flow through.  Faster flow = bigger (or more) filters.

Russ

Offline KellerBrauer

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 808
  • Bottoms Up!
Re: Water disenfectant question
« Reply #16 on: February 02, 2022, 06:12:28 am »
Like majorvices, I use an in-line carbon filter for all my brewing water.  Easy.
Joliet, IL

All good things come to those who show patients and perseverance while maintaining a positive and progressive attitude. 😉

Offline Buckeye Hydro

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 24
Re: Water disenfectant question
« Reply #17 on: February 02, 2022, 06:19:06 am »
Like majorvices, I use an in-line carbon filter for all my brewing water.  Easy.

I see people using 10" x 2.5" carbon blocks fed by a garden hose, and it makes me cringe.

A 10" x 2.5" carbon block typically has a max flow of 1 gpm, so we typically recommend people go with half of that, or 0.5 gpm. 
Garden hose flow is typically about 5 gpm - 10x the desired.  When you push water through the carbon faster than it can be treated, you'll have chlorine in the treated water.

I rarely see mention of flow rates through carbon in the brewing forums.

Russ

Offline neuse

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 308
  • New Bern, NC
Re: Water disenfectant question
« Reply #18 on: February 02, 2022, 08:18:23 am »
Just use Campden then don't worry about it.  I keep a 5-gallon jug filled with Campdenated tap water at all times (and if I brewed bigger batches, I'd keep 10 or 15 gallons).  When it's emptied, I fill it back up and add 1/2 crushed Campden tablet.  Cheap 'n' easy.  The reaction is said to be instantaneous, but I figure it's easier to just have it all ready for next time.
I'm surprised that you can keep a jug of water permanently without having a problem with it. I once had a nasty bacteria build-up in my swamp cooler. (Now I add bleach every few days.) Apparently, keeping everything "brewing clean" makes the difference.  Does it stay pure enough to use on the cold side, without boiling?

Offline denny

  • Administrator
  • Retired with too much time on my hands
  • *****
  • Posts: 27090
  • Noti OR [1991.4, 287.6deg] AR
    • Dennybrew
Re: Water disenfectant question
« Reply #19 on: February 02, 2022, 08:24:32 am »
Like majorvices, I use an in-line carbon filter for all my brewing water.  Easy.

I see people using 10" x 2.5" carbon blocks fed by a garden hose, and it makes me cringe.

A 10" x 2.5" carbon block typically has a max flow of 1 gpm, so we typically recommend people go with half of that, or 0.5 gpm. 
Garden hose flow is typically about 5 gpm - 10x the desired.  When you push water through the carbon faster than it can be treated, you'll have chlorine in the treated water.

I rarely see mention of flow rates through carbon in the brewing forums.

Russ

That last sentence makes an important point.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Online mabrungard

  • I spend way too much time on the AHA forum
  • ********
  • Posts: 2902
  • Water matters!
    • Bru'n Water
Re: Water disenfectant question
« Reply #20 on: February 02, 2022, 01:20:05 pm »
Martin, are you referring to nitrogenous compounds being in the source water or added by the water supplier? Inquiring minds want to know.

Do you still recommend Campden even though the nitrite, nitrate and nitrite + nitrite results are non-detect?

Endogenous nitrogen compounds in the source water that can include urea or ammonia that are not detected by nitrite or nitrate testing.  This can be common in agricultural areas. Nitrate and nitrate are breakdown products in the Nitrogen cycle and they take time to develop.
Martin B
Carmel, IN

BJCP National
Foam Blowers of Indiana (FBI)

Brewing Water Information at:
https://www.brunwater.com/

Like Bru'n Water on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Brun-Water-464551136933908/?ref=bookmarks

Offline dmtaylor

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4723
  • Lord Idiot the Lazy
    • YEAST MASTER Perma-Living
Re: Water disenfectant question
« Reply #21 on: February 02, 2022, 02:39:28 pm »
Just use Campden then don't worry about it.  I keep a 5-gallon jug filled with Campdenated tap water at all times (and if I brewed bigger batches, I'd keep 10 or 15 gallons).  When it's emptied, I fill it back up and add 1/2 crushed Campden tablet.  Cheap 'n' easy.  The reaction is said to be instantaneous, but I figure it's easier to just have it all ready for next time.
I'm surprised that you can keep a jug of water permanently without having a problem with it. I once had a nasty bacteria build-up in my swamp cooler. (Now I add bleach every few days.) Apparently, keeping everything "brewing clean" makes the difference.  Does it stay pure enough to use on the cold side, without boiling?

As far as I know, it's been fine.  I don't live in the tropics where bacteria might thrive, I'm in the frozen state of Wisconsin, so that might help.  Anyway, it's always boiled after the mash, so I wouldn't really care anyway.

I see people using 10" x 2.5" carbon blocks fed by a garden hose, and it makes me cringe.

A 10" x 2.5" carbon block typically has a max flow of 1 gpm, so we typically recommend people go with half of that, or 0.5 gpm. 
Garden hose flow is typically about 5 gpm - 10x the desired.  When you push water through the carbon faster than it can be treated, you'll have chlorine in the treated water.

I rarely see mention of flow rates through carbon in the brewing forums.

That last sentence makes an important point.

I agree.
Dave

The world will become a much more pleasant place to live when each and every one of us realizes that we are all idiots.

Offline neuse

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 308
  • New Bern, NC
Re: Water disenfectant question
« Reply #22 on: February 03, 2022, 09:07:03 am »
Martin, are you referring to nitrogenous compounds being in the source water or added by the water supplier? Inquiring minds want to know.

Do you still recommend Campden even though the nitrite, nitrate and nitrite + nitrite results are non-detect?

Endogenous nitrogen compounds in the source water that can include urea or ammonia that are not detected by nitrite or nitrate testing.  This can be common in agricultural areas. Nitrate and nitrate are breakdown products in the Nitrogen cycle and they take time to develop.
This made me curious about nitrogen compounds in RO water. I checked on this website: https://www.theperfectwater.com/faq/what-contaminants-can-reverse-osmosis-remove.html
It shows up to 80% removal of nitrates, so still some left in RO water. I didn't see any mention of endogenous nitrogen compounds.

Online majorvices

  • Global Moderator
  • I must live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 11326
  • Polka. If its too loud you're too young.
Re: Water disenfectant question
« Reply #23 on: February 03, 2022, 09:29:18 am »
I find that filling my hot liquor tank the night before brewing with the lid off and heating the water to mash in and sparge temperatures again with the lid off is enough to drive off chlorine. Boiling isn't necessary. YMMV.

That works for chlorine but not for chloramines

Offline brewthru

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 402
Re: Water disenfectant question
« Reply #24 on: February 04, 2022, 03:08:03 pm »
Try adding 0.5g potassium metabisulphite to 20 gallons of water in the HLT (if using less water, then scale).