noob question on soldering

[atomicpunk]

going to build a JZ chiller and just want to check on soldering copper that is exposed to boiling wort.

Any special solder or flux to use? Any worries about the solder breaking down when exposed to boiling temps?

Thanks!

[one_dead_soul]

no reall worries. reguler solder has lead in it but there wont be much that comes off and the yeast will also eat some of it.( them little guys are like mikey.. they'll eat anything)its completely negligable. but i would use silver solder. it has a higher melting point though so its a bit harder to work with. i usually use map gas for that reason. it takes less then half the time. the flux dosn't matter. that will be cleaned off when your done sweating the pipe.. yes i said sweating the pipe

hope that helps

tom

[Lars]

no reall worries. reguler solder has lead in it but there wont be much that comes off and the yeast will also eat some of it.

I use lead free solder. Available almost anywhere... Why risk lead poisoning?

[ajdelange]

Ordinary plumbing solder sold at hardware stores, plumbing supply houses, Home Depot etc. is, by law, lead free. Any flux intended for use with plumbing solder will be fine. The only solders that contain lead these days are for electronics (Radio Shack 60% Sn 40% Pb though this will become rarer as RoHS compliance pervades this country) but they are rosin cored and not suitable for soldering pipe. Yes wort is acidic but the extent of "erosion" with typical exposure is to render the copper surfaces that come in contact with wort nice and bright. The amount of metal removed is negligable.

[BrewTa2]

I like Lenox "Sterling" brand solder and their paste flux. To me, it's easier to work with - but it's a couple dollars more than most other plumbing solders.

[robert4136]

any experience with water soluble flux, it comes in the soldering pack thing at home depot with the tank torch, cleaning brush and what not. since it was the first stuff i used i grew to like it but have not found it for sale on its own. i notice with the regular stuff you have really make sure wipe it off as its kinda water proof.