brass spigots

[ghammbone]

I want to convert an old sanke keg into a brew kettle with a spigot on the side. Is it ok to use a brass spigot?

[fretlessman71]

Hmmm... not sure, but I've heard bad things about brass and beer and their interaction. Mostly stemming from my hanging out on a thread where someone was going to use brass to fit two pieces of copper tubing together to make a wort chiller... but I can't say I know for sure.

(I know.... some help, right? ;) )

[guildofevil]

Fret is refering to this post:
Originally posted by Stodbrew
I'd say, since the brass will be in contact with the wort, don't do it. Since brass is a relatively soft metal, and the wort is pretty acidic, the brass will corrode pretty quickly.
on this thread: Wort Chiller Advice (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6046&perpage=15&pagenumber=1)

The wort chiller in question was eventually built from a single piece of copper, so I can't tell you about any problems with brass but maybe Stodbrew knows more.

Séan

[Jeff Lockhart]

Brass is fine IMO. I'v had a brass ball valve on my keg for years and have had no ill effects. I've also installed brass valves in a micro I worked for (their preference). Williams and probably every other HBS sells them.....so.....

Slainte
Jeff

[toneyc]

Brass should be OK. As pointed out above, the brew stores sell brass valves specifically for brewpots so I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you are worried about surface lead, see John Palmer's How To Brew site, appendix B: http://www.howtobrew.com/appendices/appendixB.html for a procedure to remove surface lead deposits.

Notice a couple of paragraphs above the brass section where he puts a plug in for StarSan.

:)
Toney.

[ghammbone]

Thanks for your replies. Im gonna go ahead with the brass fittings.

[Spicoli]

I have brass fitting on my 10 gallon water coolers. They work fine without any ill effects. I was also told to let the beer stone build up on brass and you will never have a problem.

[danno]

Originally posted by Spicoli
I was also told to let the beer stone build up on brass and you will never have a problem. well, other than beerstone makes a lovely hiding place for various infectious bacteria (that sanitizing by itself won't remove), there's absolutely nothing wrong with this advice... good luck with that...

[Spicoli]

Danno,

That was just what I was told. Myself I always clean my equipment. I quess everything you here has two sides. Also all my equipment with brass usually gets up to about 168 degrees at mash out then boiled at 212 degrees for at least an hour. Wouldn't that be enough to kill any bacteria??????????????

Respectfully
Spicoli