Boiler washout

[garrymartin]

Hi There,
Earlier this year I bought a secondhand Regner Lumberjack, as previously mentioned. At some point in its past it has been run with water of a high lime content. I noticed some large flakes of this material coming out of the boiler when I inverted it to drain it following a run & I have not run it since for fear of more of this being loose in the boiler & potentially blocking something vital.
Is there something I can use to remove this & clean out the boiler ? I have heard people mention dishwasher tablets but how much of one to use ?
Cheers Garry

 

[Rhinochugger]

I live in an area of slightly 'hard' water. I run my Shay on boiled water (still hot from the kettle), and use a de-scaler every couple of years or so. I've not seen any sign of limescale when I empty it at the end of a running session, or around the sight glass.

The kitchen kettle gets a little build up of limescale after two/three years, so the live steamer isn't going to suffer greatly.

 

[bobg]

Yet another useful substance is citric acid, sold as a powder at chemists. You can mix it as strong as you require.

When using any sort of acid to remove limescale from enclosed vessels it can froth quite violently, so make sure it can escape safely, and try to keep it off the paintwork just in case it marks.

 

[garrymartin]

Thanks for the advice , I will give the white vinegar a whirl & see how I go on, if it does not work at least I can put it on my chips as they do in Ireland.
Cheers Garry