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Author Topic: Vinegar boiler cleaner?  (Read 1424 times)

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Vinegar boiler cleaner?
« on: March 20, 2021, 12:11:49 pm »
I have used vinegar to clean the scale off inside window of a used Wilesco stationary followed by fresh water rinse.(worked well)
   I was just reading all the papers that came with my New D405/1 Traction Engine and Wilesco cautions Against cleaning boiler with vinegar, saying it would attack the material boiler was made from as well as solder joints.
   I suspect Wilesco wants to sell more descaleing solution but thought I would check what the "heavy hitters" say is best? I can rinse several times with Distilled water after the vinegar treatment, is this considered best practice? Thank you!
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Re: Vinegar boiler cleaner?
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2021, 12:29:53 pm »
Wouldn´t worry me in the least, been descaling Wilescos with ordinary household vinegar for many years, and never had any issues.
(Just flush it out with plenty of tap water, no need for destilled/demineralised, as it doesn´t form any limedeposits as long as you don´t steam it)

I suspect you´re spot on, and that they just want to sell more of their affordable "Z84 Decalcifying Agent" at $460/Gallon with MiniSteam 8)
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Jan
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Re: Vinegar boiler cleaner?
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2021, 01:21:48 pm »
I only agree with Jan's remarks. Cleaning the boiler with citric acid is also possible. Then rinse well with tap water.
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Jürgen
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Re: Vinegar boiler cleaner?
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2021, 01:56:08 pm »
Quote from: classixs on March 20, 2021, 12:29:53 pm
Wouldn´t worry me in the least, been descaling Wilescos with ordinary household vinegar for many years, and never had any issues.
(Just flush it out with plenty of tap water, no need for destilled/demineralised, as it doesn´t form any limedeposits as long as you don´t steam it)

I suspect you´re spot on, and that they just want to sell more of their affordable "Z84 Decalcifying Agent" at $460/Gallon with MiniSteam 8)

Sweet!....I NEED that $460/gallon funds for More cute little engines, thank you!
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Re: Vinegar boiler cleaner?
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2021, 01:16:29 pm »
Using pure distilled water is probably more harmful to a boiler than a brief cleaning with vinegar. That distilled water is going to take back those minerals and the only source is the boiler material, hence we add that 5% tap water to make it happy.
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Re: Vinegar boiler cleaner?
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2021, 01:27:36 pm »
I use white vinegar. 

I generally heat it up in a Pirex measuring cup in the microwave. 

In lighter descalings I use about 1/2 to 2/3 white vinegar to distilled water. 

On heavier clean-ups I use the white vinegar straight and hot.

Gil
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Re: Vinegar boiler cleaner?
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2021, 02:18:51 pm »
Same here Gil, prefer the white vinegar as well.
Eventhough i have used both, and can´t see any difference in the end result, the clear type gives a better idea of the amount of contamination.
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Jan
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