The “Cola” Method Taken to Another Level That Works

[jbbishop]

This got me thinking about other descalers they use for coffee machines like Dezcal (Urnex Activated Descaler), a citric acid-based descaler that will remove mineral build up. This formula is nontoxic and biodegradable.
Ingredients: Citric Acid, Aluminum Salts, Sulfamic Acid.

If strong phosphoric acid works how about citric acid?

You can get a packet of citric acid at the local brew shop for about a buck and dissolve it in a small amount of some liquid and give it a try!

[Sun Vaporer]

Good picture SunV,
don't happen to have the 'before' picture as well do you?

Nice to see the steel metal wick hasn't blackened or corroded
(it did with strong sulphuric acid).

Would you say there were any rinse-out probs at all?

Exogenesis--I did not know how to use this "Macro Mode" before. A friend walked me through it this morning. I looked like all the rest of them--a long glob of gunk and no visible sign of the coil. At the 3 hour mark was I able to start seeing a hint of the outline of the coil come through. This one was soaked for 14 hours. For my saftey, just to be sure I rinsed it for 15 minutes to get all the solvent off. I do not know it that was excessive--but figured I would play it safe. Notice in the picture the coil is lifted from the residue--that is what causing these atomizers to go cold as the residue snaps the connection. ---It was a good experiment----Sun

[Fat B*stard]

I don't think any old acid will do Bish. Phosphoric acid seems to work because it is "nickel-friendly". I'm no chemist and if anyone knows better, please chip in.

[Fat B*stard]

"I looked like all the rest of them--a long glob of gunk and no visible sign of the coil." LMAO!

[StoneE4]

Yeah, right. "International Wholesaler" dude. 2.5 litres has already been quoted as a retail amount - how much do you think we wanna buy????????

8 ounces is too much for you?

This conversation reminds me of the movie Dogma...

Bartleby: We're going home. (holds out a newspaper article) Somebody sent us this in the mail. (he pauses; Loki just gawks at him) Take it, man. And quit leering at me. People are gonna think I just broke up with you or something.
Loki: You did just say we're going home, right?
Bartleby: Read.
Loki: "Cardinal Glick cuts ribbon on Catholicism, Wow! compaign." And?
Bartleby: You have to keep reading.

[exogenesis]

SunV,
yes it's quite noticable that the wick is now not in contact with a lot of the coil,
Looks more like the fibre bundle has been 'squished' rather than
(or as well as) the coil pushed out.
I wonder if that atomizers works properly, even in the clean state.

Perhaps regular 'prevention' phosphoric acid soaks would stop them
getting like that inthe first place.

[Princessdee]

PrincedssDee--I used an Ice Maker Cleaner Straight--

Remember, that these are chemicals and it is not the indented purpose of the product.

Thanks, Sun.

I make soap for a living. I use lye all day long, I'm very aware of chemicals and what they can do to you (I use a mask for my lye part)

I appreciate your help AND the warnings. ~ dee

[jbbishop]

Found this somewheres:

"I ran across a product marketed by the Dairyland Brand as STEROSOL MILKSTONE REMOVER AND ACID RINSE. It most definitely is food grade and is non foaming. The main ingredient is Phosphoric Acid (75% solution) plus surfactants, dye, and water. The final percentages work out to 56.33% phosphoric acid and 43.67% of water, surfactants, and orange dye.
I found my Milkstone Remover at my local Tractor Supply Store (after doing a Google search). I even found some guys in the U.K. talking about it definitely being the cheapest way to buy phosphoric acid.
Soooo..... anyone want to guess the price for a gallon in the US?
$7.83 per GALLON! I got 2 gallons... this stuff cleans lime and hard water deposits off of your shower head, etc. Check your local farm supply store and ask for Milkstone Remover. You will be glad you did."

There should be cheaper sources out there here's the first thing that came up on a google search for ice machine cleaner: $1.40 for 8 oz.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/ite...ration-_-4E310

[ZambucaLu]

So would this be the same strength as the one Sun used?

Lu

[CandyGirl]

Thanks, Sun.

I make soap for a living. I use lye all day long, I'm very aware of chemicals and what they can do to you (I use a mask for my lye part)

I appreciate your help AND the warnings. ~ dee

wow. Dogma meets Fight Club.