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Thread: lesson learned about [clean] taps

  1. #21
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    chester, ma
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    My wife works in a bio lab. She has access to an autoclave. Has anyone ever tried to use an autoclave to sterilize plastic spiles? I'm sure it'll work in terms of killing spores and such, but it may or may not turn the spiles into a puddle of hot plastic! I can't find anywhere the type of plastic/resin that my taps are made of. I don't know why the manufacturers don't tell you - it would be nice to know.

    I have two types - this: http://www.mapleguys.com/product/TU051-000005J4.html
    and this: http://www.mapleguys.com/product/TU059-000005J7.html

    Anybody ever try this? Or do you know what kind of plastic they are?

    Thanks!

    Gabe
    2016: Homemade arch from old wood stove; 2 steam tray pans; 6 taps; 1.1 gal
    2017: Same setup. 15 taps; 4.5 gal
    2018: Same setup. Limited time. 12 taps and short season; 2.2 gal
    2019: Very limited time. 7 taps and a short season; 1.8 gals
    2020: New Mason 2x3 XL halfway through season; 9 taps 2 gals
    2021: Same 2x3, 18 taps, 4.5 gals
    2022: 23 taps, 5.9 gals
    2023: 23 taps. Added AUF, 13.2 gals
    2024: 17 taps
    All on buckets

  2. #22
    Join Date
    May 2009
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    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
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    Quote Originally Posted by berkshires View Post
    Or do you know what kind of plastic they are?
    The first are most likely made of food-grade nylon, typically Nylon 66. The second is probably a polycarbonate of some formulation.

    I know people who've autoclaved SS spouts, but not plastic.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  3. #23
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    Mar 2016
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    chester, ma
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    Thanks Dr Tim! I guess I might try bleaching the blue ones (they're like $1.50 a pop) but I definitely won't try to autoclave them. I might try a couple of the black ones just for the hell of it. They're cheap - if they melt it's not a big deal.

    Cheers!

    Gabe
    2016: Homemade arch from old wood stove; 2 steam tray pans; 6 taps; 1.1 gal
    2017: Same setup. 15 taps; 4.5 gal
    2018: Same setup. Limited time. 12 taps and short season; 2.2 gal
    2019: Very limited time. 7 taps and a short season; 1.8 gals
    2020: New Mason 2x3 XL halfway through season; 9 taps 2 gals
    2021: Same 2x3, 18 taps, 4.5 gals
    2022: 23 taps, 5.9 gals
    2023: 23 taps. Added AUF, 13.2 gals
    2024: 17 taps
    All on buckets

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