Ideas for cleaning?

[325abn]

Any suggestions on how best to clean my 210Gal poly tank? I am thinking a hot soap / bleach solution and a broom though to openening. This tank was not cleaned out the last time it was used at it looks like it has some mold in it.

What about a SS raised flue pan? Again it was not cleaned the last time it was used and has some old mold, moths and flies. I am thinking hot soapy water and a little bleach with a green scruby thing and some elbow grease. Is there a special brush for the flues or just an old tooth brush?

[Fred Henderson]

There is a sap side flue brush as well as a fire side. Be careful with that bleach in your pans. I put my poly tanks on my pickup with a little bleach and water in them and drive around for a week. All the slushing works wonders.

[royalmaple]

You should be able to get some ss cleaner from a local maple supplier, maple guys may even have it. I know it comes in quarts and gallons, pretty sure the gallon I bought last year was around 20ish dollars, You'd probably only use about 1/2 gallon for your size rig, then fill with water. Bring it up to about 180 degrees if I remember right (you don't need to boil it) and you can let it set in there for a while, then dump it out and rinse throughly and you'd be surprised what that will clean. Certainly using a brush while the cleaner is in there will help a great deal too.

You can get brushes for raised flue pans as well from any maple dealer, again maple guys may have them in stock too.

Pressure washer would work great on the poly tank if you had one.

I've always been told to steer clear of using soap when cleaning your tanks etc, just stick with bleach and water and of course elbow grease. Maybe someone with more experience with soap can let you know for sure why it is not recommended or perhaps it is fine.

[brookledge]

Ditto what Matt said stay away from soap in every aspect of maple
Keith

[HanginAround]

Maple supply houses have pan cleaning stuff, some is VERY potent since it is supposed to dissolve mineral build up in pans, so be careful how long you let it soak. You don't want your solder to disappear with your scale 8O

If it's easier, buy milk stone remover (meant for dissolving deposits in dairy plumbing and equipment) from a farm store.. come in a gal jug and is also very potent, just use a few capfuls I think, make sure you read the dilution ratio.

And no soap on anything if you can help it, like the rest said.

[Russell Lampron]

I like Freds idea for cleaning the poly tank. I also bought a used poly tank that was nasty inside. I used a steam cleaner to clean it out, just steam with no soap. You don't want to use soap on anything because it can flavor your syrup.

Russ

[ibby458]

I find white vinegar to work just as good for cleaning pans as the stronger stuff, but it's a lot cheaper. Easier on the hands, too.