Will steel wool leave off flavors?

[Redweasel]

Ordered a false bottom and after some research found that a problem people are having is some of the grains slipping through or underneath. To solve this problem I was thinking of putting some steel wool around the dip tube of the false bottom. Would this cause metalic flavors to come through the mash?

[BeerBilly]

I'd be more concerned about rust than off flavors(unless it's stainless steel wool or is there such a thing?)or off flavors caused by rust.Maybe you could adapt a SS braid to do the same thing.

[Redweasel]

I don't think there is stainless wool. I would be changing it with each mash. Could it rust that fast?

[Barley-Davidson]

I wouldn't use it.
If you want to add a filter to a false bottom go with something like cheesecloth, but I don't think you need to add a filter at all.

Some grains will get through, but that's why you vorlouf (recirculate the wort) before sparging. The false bottom doesn't act as a filter so much as it allows the grainbed itself to act as a filter.

I hope I'm making sense.

[Redweasel]

Makes perfect sense. Thanks guys. I'll just try it without. Should have thought of the cheesecloth. Well if I need it I'll know what to try.

[DrunkenSatyr]

I think instead of steel wool you would use SS scrubbie pads like Chore-boy http://ace.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p2707728reg.jpg but I agree after you run off a couple quarts you should not have much issue with grains getting through unless you keep screwing with your drain off speed.

[Lerxst]

Makes perfect sense. Thanks guys. I'll just try it without. Should have thought of the cheesecloth. Well if I need it I'll know what to try.


I second the thought that you don't have a problem till you actually have a problem....

[cheesefood]

I use a copper scrubby on my diptube.

[sanders5x]

If you have a false bottom I wouldn't worry about it, it might take a couple of pitchers during v.. vo.. vorlouf, but thats just part of the process

[sanders5x]

I think instead of steel wool you would use SS scrubbie pads like Chore-boy http://ace.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p2707728reg.jpg but I agree after you run off a couple quarts you should not have much issue with grains getting through unless you keep screwing with your drain off speed.

Where did you find those SS pads at? I've got some but am starting to wonder if they are ss at all.

[DrunkenSatyr]

Walmart carries them as well as most grocery stores.

[sanders5x]

Walmart carries them as well as most grocery stores.

I bought my current one at walmart, but it was of a cheaper brand. I hate to shop at walmart, but they were the only ones I could find that had them