OK, I actually know how to remove chlorine, but I'd like to have the pros and cons of each method spelled out. I will post an answer and mark it as a community wiki. Please edit it with your input.
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anyone know if boiling water til comes to boil removes chlorine? Thanks very much– user8370Oct 26, 2014 at 17:39
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Please see the first answer - that covers your question about boiling chlorine.– mdmaOct 27, 2014 at 10:07
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@mdma: The questions aren't ordered, first question can be the last, accordingly with its rank.– LucianoFeb 27, 2015 at 19:32
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1Do you have to leave it uncovered when you leave the drinking water out for 24 hours to remove the chlorine?– user12046Apr 3, 2015 at 3:28
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1I have researched this extensively and am trying to stay away from using Camden tablets, not because they are poisonous, but because I want to be as organic as possible with my beers. I am still curious as to the micron filter size of the charcoal filter necessary. I am using a 5 micron charcoal flow through filter attached to my outside hose, but I am curious about the chloramine and if I need to reduce that size of micron filtration?– user12644Sep 9, 2015 at 17:51
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8 Answers
There are several ways that you can remove chlorination from your tap water before you brew with it. This topic should help you to choose which one is right for you.
Off-gassing
If you water contains only chlorine and not chloramine, you can let it sit for 24 hours and the chlorine will dissipate into the environment.
Pros:
- Free
Cons:
- Takes a long time
- Will not remove chloramine
Boiling
If you water contains only chlorine and not chloramine, you can drive the chlorine off by boiling the water for 15 minutes.
Pros:
- Faster than waiting for it to off-gas at room temperature
Cons:
- Requires a lot of energy and significant time to boil all of your water before you even start brewing.
- Will not remove chloramine
Filtration
A charcoal filter is designed to strip your tap water of chlorine and chloramine, block carbon filters are necessary for effective removal.
Pros:
- Fast, nearly as fast as your free-running tap
- Removes both chlorine and chloramine
Cons:
- Filters last roughly 2-6 months depending on water usage and cost between $5 and $30+ dollars to replace depending on the system.
- Some charcoal filters need to have water running through them for about 5-10 minutes before being used when replaced. This clears out any charcoal dust that may have been generated during shipment.
Chemical Adjustment
Chlorine and chloramine can be removed from your water by dissolving potassium metabisulfite into it. One campden tablet is enough to dechlorinate 20 gallons of tap water.
Pros:
- Very fast - as soon as the K-meta is dissolved in the water and stirred, the water is dechlorinated.
- Removes both chlorine and chloramine
Cons:
- Powdered potassium metabisulfite smells harsh. If you catch a whiff of the powder when measuring it out, it stings the nostrils not unlike sex panther (Anchorman pop culture reference).
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Are you quite sure you need to boil the water for 15mins? Im sure if you just boil your tap water in the normal way, for tea etc, then a rapid 3min boil is more than sufficient to rid the water completely of Chlorine!– user3475May 24, 2013 at 16:57
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Another con for K-meta is that some people have sulfite allergies. Residual sulfite will remain in your beer. -- That said, it's still my preferred method!– TarahMay 25, 2013 at 13:52
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Other thing about sulfite is that (when used in wine) it gives head hache and a kind of tiredness feeling. I wonder if residuals in water for beer are enough to give the same result.– PaoloMay 27, 2013 at 14:40
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1I heated the water (about 1 gallon) and measured its chlorine for each 10C (20F), and when reached about 60C (140F) the chlorine disappeared, before boiling. Just an empirical result.– LucianoDec 20, 2014 at 21:33
According to the New York City water report (page 20), all you need to do is transfer the water between two vessels 10 times to remove chlorine.
I have been using this method for all of my homebrews by filling a 12 quart pot with tap water and transferring back-and-forth between a second 12 quart pot, lifting the pot as I pour as high above my head as I can to maximize splashing (to comfortably tilt the heavy pot as you empty it, lift with the heel of your palms underneath the handles, rather than grasping the handles from above with your fingers curled underneath). Place the receiving pot in the sink in case you miss. I then store the water in gallon jugs and repeat the process until I have the desired amount of strike and sparge water collected for my batch.
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4This has the advantage of being a good show for any on-lookers! Like some spectacular voodoo blessing at the beginning of your beer conjuring efforts. ...always leave them guessing! Apr 3, 2015 at 12:04
Bought a zero water filter pitcher for about $30 or so.works very well, just takes a long time to fill.
I was told to run the water through my Britta pitcher 2 times and let it sit out. I also have a water purifier for all water and then use water from refrigerator which is also purified. Then I let it sit out for 24 hours. I hope this is sufficient.
My personal experience is that the best way to de-chlorinate water is by stripping with fresh air .In the proposed arrangement, water shall flow from the top of the stripper vessel equipped with 06 sieve trays while pressurized air would be blown from the bottom. At the top a vent should be available to vent Cl2 and air.By this method we can de-chlorinate as well as oxygenate our portable and for fish and other use.
We have been using the zero water pitcher for 2 years. It came with a 'water quality tester' which tells you the total dissolved solids (inorganic materials and substances..ick) which are commonly found in drinking water. Chlorine would be included, but not specified by itself. My problem is de-chlorinating water for my garden/plants.
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This answer doesn't really address the topic asked about - specifically, how to remove chlorine.– BrianVApr 8, 2014 at 15:23
I dissolve a few grains of vitamin C powder in my bath water and that works. Not so easy for washing up though as problem with rinsing!
My municipal water supply is heavily chlorinated. Some mornings, the smell is exceedingly prominent after flushing the toilet.
I purchased a tablet splitter from a local pharmacy, and use a quarter of a Camden tablet for each 5 gallon brew. The result is no sign of either chlorine or chloramine contamination.
