Found Collection

by **o21928373..** » Thu, 06 Apr 2006 17:56:15

In a homebrewery setup, I've heard that stainless steel is preferred
over brass, but I don't recall why. Can anyone out there comment on why
brass es no bueno? I'd like to leave out any discussion of the cost
difference of the metals and focus on the chemistry/physics of what
happens when wort/beer comes into contact of SS or brass.

In the back of my brain I think there has to be something about
electron transfer with brass that makes SS a wise choice in the
brewery.

Thanks,
Tony

by **HoundDo** » Thu, 06 Apr 2006 22:18:16

cleaning for starters, brass will tarnish, if that is important to
you...

here's a quick blurb from John Palmer

http://www.howtobrew.com/appendices/appendixB.html

by **Craig Bennet** » Thu, 06 Apr 2006 22:21:34

I've read that people dont like brass because of traces of lead or other
toxic metals, that can leach into the wort over a prolonged period of time.
I would also be interested to hear opinions on this subject, as brass
fitings seem to be readily available and relatively inexpensive at the
bigbox hardware stores such as the home depot. I tried googling it a while
back but didn't really come up with anything worthwhile.

Craig B.

Quote:

> In a homebrewery setup, I've heard that stainless steel is preferred
> over brass, but I don't recall why. Can anyone out there comment on why
> brass es no bueno? I'd like to leave out any discussion of the cost
> difference of the metals and focus on the chemistry/physics of what
> happens when wort/beer comes into contact of SS or brass.

> In the back of my brain I think there has to be something about
> electron transfer with brass that makes SS a wise choice in the
> brewery.

> Thanks,
> Tony

by **John 'Shaggy' Kolesa** » Thu, 06 Apr 2006 23:15:19

Quote:

> In a homebrewery setup, I've heard that stainless steel is preferred
> over brass, but I don't recall why. Can anyone out there comment on why
> brass es no bueno? I'd like to leave out any discussion of the cost
> difference of the metals and focus on the chemistry/physics of what
> happens when wort/beer comes into contact of SS or brass.

> In the back of my brain I think there has to be something about
> electron transfer with brass that makes SS a wise choice in the
> brewery.

IMO, brass is fine. I wouldn't use an entire brass pot (do they even make
such a thing?), but something like a brass spigot in your mash tun is
perfectly fine. I've got one myself, actually.

John.

by **John 'Shaggy' Kolesa** » Thu, 06 Apr 2006 23:19:49

Quote:

> I've read that people dont like brass because of traces of lead or other
> toxic metals, that can leach into the wort over a prolonged period of time.

The amount of lead on the exposed surface of the brass (it's not like
you're going to dissolve the entire brass part in your beer) is so
rediculously small that it's not really worth worrying about.

If you're *really* worried about it and it's keeping you up at night, then
there is a fairly easy procedure for removing the surface lead from brass:

http://www.howtobrew.com/appendices/appendixB.html

John.

by **papenfussDIES..** » Fri, 07 Apr 2006 00:06:38

: such a thing?), but something like a brass spigot in your mash tun is
: perfectly fine. I've got one myself, actually.

"... and it *tick* hasn't affected me a bit *tick*."

:)

-Cory

--

*************************************************************************
* Cory Papenfuss *
* Electrical Engineering candidate Ph.D. graduate student *
* ***ia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
*************************************************************************

by **(East Bay) Phi** » Fri, 07 Apr 2006 09:20:01

Tony,

How did you come-up with that email addy?

If you're using a plastic tun, you might also consider plastic fittings from a dive shop.

P

by **Brew Ma** » Fri, 07 Apr 2006 20:44:18

Brass fittings are used all the time in plumbing for water lines.
Underneath that chrome plating, our faucets in our homes are
constructed mainly of brass. I have not heard of a lead issue with
brass before. I am aware that lead soldered joints in plumbing can
cause health issues. Stainless steel is much more durable than brass
and should not tarnish like brass will and that is why commercial
brewers use it. My guess is that since all of us have been exposed to
brass for so many years now that it would be well known if there were
any health issues with it. Do not hesitate to use brass in your setup.

by **Kyle** » Sat, 08 Apr 2006 04:55:11

sure, brass fittings are used for water, but tap water will have a pH
between 6.5 - 8.5. Wort on the other hand will have a lower pH and
arguably more leaching than tap water. How much more? I don't know.
Is it a concern? Probably not, what's your paranoia level?

I used brass fittings on my 5-gallon mash tun for years. When I moved
up to a 7.5 gallon tun I went with stainless steel. An extra $20
bought me better piece of mind, but then again I'm probably more the
paranoid type than most people.

the sky is falling.

Quote:

>Brass fittings are used all the time in plumbing for water lines.
>Underneath that chrome plating, our faucets in our homes are
>constructed mainly of brass. I have not heard of a lead issue with
>brass before. I am aware that lead soldered joints in plumbing can
>cause health issues. Stainless steel is much more durable than brass
>and should not tarnish like brass will and that is why commercial
>brewers use it. My guess is that since all of us have been exposed to
>brass for so many years now that it would be well known if there were
>any health issues with it. Do not hesitate to use brass in your setup.

Found Collection

Stainless Steel vs. Brass

Stainless Steel vs. Brass

Stainless Steel vs. Brass

Stainless Steel vs. Brass

Stainless Steel vs. Brass

Stainless Steel vs. Brass

Stainless Steel vs. Brass

Stainless Steel vs. Brass

Stainless Steel vs. Brass

Stainless Steel vs. Brass