We think we have traced an off-flavor problem to our heat exchanger. It seems pretty obvious now, but this has been a puzzle for us for a while. We have a strong rubbery smell emanating from the HX every time it is used. The smell increases as temperature of HX increases. The smell comes from the exterior of the HX and also from water that has passed through the HX on either water or wort side. Rubbery taste is also present in water run through either side.
We have cleaned (both water and wort sides) repeatedly with Super CIP, PBW, Acid 5 - and yesterday with Simple Green... I have left the HX packed with PBW overnight, then rinsed with hot water and repacked with Sani-Clean many times. We have no apparent leaks or loss of pressure from packing or otherwise.
We have smell and taste tested a hot water hose that is sometimes used to use to deliver hot rinse water and are sure that the hose is not the source of the odor/taste.
Another thing that happens is, we have had an oily scummy residue form in the discharged water that is saved in the mash tun. This water has made scum rings inside the mash tun that seem to only be able to be removed with acid --- scrubbing with PBW doesn't take them out.
I was trying to avoid taking the HX apart, but maybe this is what we need to do. I don't think I would know if anything looked right/wrong (unless I found a blob of oil inside) and am nervous about getting the thing put back together correctly.
Any suggestions?
We have cleaned (both water and wort sides) repeatedly with Super CIP, PBW, Acid 5 - and yesterday with Simple Green... I have left the HX packed with PBW overnight, then rinsed with hot water and repacked with Sani-Clean many times. We have no apparent leaks or loss of pressure from packing or otherwise.
We have smell and taste tested a hot water hose that is sometimes used to use to deliver hot rinse water and are sure that the hose is not the source of the odor/taste.
Another thing that happens is, we have had an oily scummy residue form in the discharged water that is saved in the mash tun. This water has made scum rings inside the mash tun that seem to only be able to be removed with acid --- scrubbing with PBW doesn't take them out.
I was trying to avoid taking the HX apart, but maybe this is what we need to do. I don't think I would know if anything looked right/wrong (unless I found a blob of oil inside) and am nervous about getting the thing put back together correctly.
Any suggestions?
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