Hercules Steam Boiler Cleaner to Drain or Not to Drain

melo · December 23

After using some Hercules Steam Boiler cleaner, do I have to drain the boiler?

I know it says no draining on the bottle but I've heard mixed information.

ethicalpaul · December 23

What is the desired goal from adding this treatment?

melo · December 23

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1828842#Comment_1828842

Multiple people, including the supply house told me to do this once a year during heating season. It was supposed to help clean some of the guck out, especially since my pigtail was clogged. I was also told that it was good practice in general and many many service techs and plumbers stock up during the start of heating season.

They mentioned some sort of tablets that were previously used but not in the market anymore.

ethicalpaul · December 23

Steam Master are the tablets that are no longer available.

Cleaning guck out should not be the goal. Preventing guck creation is the goal. I use 8-way for that. Other products might work just as well but I find usually they are over promising. Even 8-way over-promises, but I like its chemistry. Use like 1/3 of what it calls for.

ethicalpaul · December 23

I should also say that I’m glad multiple sources suggested water treatment, but I don’t like their reasoning (cleaning rather than preventing corrosion).

But if the end result is good who am I to question their reasoning I guess

109A_5 · December 23

If most residential steam boilers fail above the water line due to corrosion, I can see trying to minimize the addition of fresh oxygenated water. So if you reduce the corrosion below the water line (by whatever means) the less flushing and the like to keep the rust and stuff out of the boiler water. If the heat exchanger is kept relatively clean on the water side (actually both sides) the efficiency of the heat exchange may be preserved.

109A_5 · December 23

Hercules Steam Boiler Cleaner, a power ? TSP Trisodium Phosphate

A non-toxic boiler cleaner that stops priming and surging in minutes and helps to
eliminate pipe hammering-gets boiler water crystal clear. Removes rust, scale, oil, foam
and impurities without draining or flushing system. Scout filters down through the boiler
water, removing impurities as it sinks to the bottom. This soft sediment remains on the
bottom, insuring easy and complete draw-off, leaving boiler and water completely clean.
Eliminates time-consuming boiler shutdowns because it works while the boiler is
operating normally. Inhibits corrosion by purging highly corrosive nascent oxygen.
Saves fuel.
Cleans pressure vessels, steam kettles, heat exchangers, steam generators and tanks.
Can be used wherever water in a vessel is heated or agitated and where the sediment
can be removed or drained off. Contains no petroleum distillates and is safe to use in
hydronic systems with plastic or rubber components.
Scout ensures trouble-free start-ups on new installations, and helps to attain peak
efficiency on existing ones. When used on a regular basis provides clean, dry steam
along with improved boiler efficiency and heat transfer. Safe to use on food service,
process equipment and other sensitive, critical applications.

Hercules Boiler & Heating System Cleaner, a liquid ? Contains Silicone, said to be bad for boilers on this site in another thread.

No draining or flushing
is necessary unless system is very oily, rusty, or in unusually dirty condition.

Hercules Steam Boiler Cleaner to Drain or Not to Drain

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