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Author Topic: Brew pot handle bolts damaged by PBW  (Read 1772 times)

Offline Bevilaquafoto

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Brew pot handle bolts damaged by PBW
« on: February 01, 2015, 09:22:43 am »
I just bought a 5 gal. stainless steel brewpot, used it for the first time, and left it full of PBW overnight after first use. When I cleaned it out the next day, the pot itself was fine, but the bolts that fasten the handles to the pot had a strange powder/corrosion on them. Did I ruin my pot right of the bat? Can I still use it?
« Last Edit: February 01, 2015, 09:28:04 am by Bevilaquafoto »
Lorenzo Bevilaqua
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Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Brew pot handle bolts damaged by PBW
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2015, 09:27:58 am »
Bolts can be replaced if they are corroded. Are you sure those are not rivits? If rivits give them a good cleaning with Barkeeper's Frine. Then rinse well and let air dry.
Jeff Rankert
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Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Brew pot handle bolts damaged by PBW
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2015, 09:28:24 am »
Bolts? I'd replace them. If rivets it grind them out and replace with bolts. Use stainless hardware. Two different types of metal plus acid equals a battery, meaning you will get corrosion. Your pot should be fine.

Offline Bevilaquafoto

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Re: Brew pot handle bolts damaged by PBW
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2015, 09:29:28 am »
Lorenzo Bevilaqua
Lorenzo Bevilaqua Photography
302A West 12th Street
Suite 245
New York, NY 10014
http://www.lorenzobevilaqua.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenzobevilaqua

Offline Bevilaquafoto

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Re: Brew pot handle bolts damaged by PBW
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2015, 09:30:54 am »
Okay, I keep trying to post a picture via dropbox, but it's not working out. To be precise, they are more like rivets. Flat surface rather than a tradition nut and bolt. I'm thinking maybe the rivets are aluminum and reacted with the PBW?
Lorenzo Bevilaqua
Lorenzo Bevilaqua Photography
302A West 12th Street
Suite 245
New York, NY 10014
http://www.lorenzobevilaqua.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenzobevilaqua

Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Brew pot handle bolts damaged by PBW
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2015, 09:54:56 am »
Or they were made from a low grade of Stainless that is more workable, or something that was zinc coated. Maybe aluminum, but I would not think that would be usual.

Jeff Rankert
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BJCP National
Ann Arbor Brewers Guild
Home-brewing, not just a hobby, it is a lifestyle!

Offline Bevilaquafoto

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Re: Brew pot handle bolts damaged by PBW
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2015, 09:58:44 am »
Barkeeper's Friend looks like a good choice. Thank you. I don't want the corrosion to affect the boil in any way.
Lorenzo Bevilaqua
Lorenzo Bevilaqua Photography
302A West 12th Street
Suite 245
New York, NY 10014
http://www.lorenzobevilaqua.com
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Offline Bevilaquafoto

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Re: Brew pot handle bolts damaged by PBW
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2015, 10:03:50 am »
Lorenzo Bevilaqua
Lorenzo Bevilaqua Photography
302A West 12th Street
Suite 245
New York, NY 10014
http://www.lorenzobevilaqua.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenzobevilaqua

Offline JT

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Re: Brew pot handle bolts damaged by PBW
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2015, 11:29:06 am »
Try BK friend or soaking that pot in Starsan.   It looks similar to the deposits I will see on my boilcoils and a 30 minute starsan soak takes those right off.  PBW is great for organic deposits.  Acids are great for mineral deposits. 

Offline Bevilaquafoto

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Re: Brew pot handle bolts damaged by PBW
« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2015, 11:34:45 am »
Interesing point, JT, thank you. I'll try both methods. I can Star-San spray it right now.
Lorenzo Bevilaqua
Lorenzo Bevilaqua Photography
302A West 12th Street
Suite 245
New York, NY 10014
http://www.lorenzobevilaqua.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenzobevilaqua

Offline JT

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Re: Brew pot handle bolts damaged by PBW
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2015, 11:40:56 am »
Worth a try to spray them first, but when I clean the boilcoils or even my wort chiller, I actually submerge them in Star-San.  Shiny!