Acetic acid 80% (E-260) 1 litre

01 · WHAT A BEEKEEPER USES IT FOR

Limescale in the steam generator

Tap water leaves limescale in the generator's tank, on its heating element and in its pressure relief valve. With limescale, the water takes longer to boil and the element can be damaged. That is why the manuals for our steam generators ask you to descale regularly with vinegar or citric acid, or to use distilled water. This acetic acid is the basis of that vinegar, in concentrated form.

02 · HOW TO DILUTE IT

One part acid to fifteen parts water

A table vinegar is around 5% acetic acid. To get there from 80%, mix one part acid with fifteen parts water, for example 100 ml in one and a half litres. Always pour the acid into the water, never the other way round. With the unit cold and unplugged, fill the tank with the mixture and leave it to work until the limescale comes away. Then empty it, boil clean water in it a couple of times and empty it completely, so that no acid is left. Before you start, check in your unit's manual which descaler it accepts.

03 · THE FORMAT

At 80%, to be diluted

Concentrated, it goes a long way: with one bottle you make about 16 litres of mixture at 5%. Its safety data sheet lists laboratory, industrial and food industry uses.

04 · SAFETY

Caustic, and seriously so

Acetic acid at this concentration is caustic. Its safety data sheet classifies it as corrosive (H314, ‘Danger’): it causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Its vapours irritate the airways. Handle it with gloves, goggles and respiratory protection, including when making up the mixture, and never mix it with other products.

05 · BEFORE YOU BUY

It is not a treatment for bees: it is never added to syrup or applied in hives. It is for equipment maintenance, always diluted. Caustic product: gloves, goggles and mask.