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Burnt element & rust on nut

 
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ghandlin




Joined: 09 Oct 2016
Posts: 96



PostLink    Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 7:31 pm    Post subject: Burnt element & rust on nut Reply with quote


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So, here's what happened. I have both a Chugger and March pump in our system. Chugger was on the wort side and it seemed to having some issue pushing, so I decided to swap them. Did all the physical moving but had missed swapping the power cords plugged into the panel. When I went to do a deep cleaning, I thought I was turning on the wort pump when in fact the water pump was going. Obviously, all the cleaning water drained from the BK and the element was bright red before I noticed it.

So, I've tried cleaning it with Oxiclean twice and I'm still getting chunks falling off and the element smells like a campfire. I am wondering if it can be salvaged or should we just bite the bullet and purchase a new element?

Also, the nut on the BK element is all rusty. I took element out to look at it more closely and rust particles fell all inside the kettle. I've attached a picture of the nut. I didn't think these would rust? Should the nuts have been passivized? We purchased the element kits assembled from here probably about a year ago. Any thoughts on cleaning it up?



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Rusty nut
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George Handlin
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kal
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Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 7:55 pm    Post subject: Re: Burnt element & rust on nut Reply with quote

ghandlin wrote:
So, I've tried cleaning it with Oxiclean twice and I'm still getting chunks falling off and the element smells like a campfire. I am wondering if it can be salvaged or should we just bite the bullet and purchase a new element?

I would replace the element. Available here: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/stainless-steel-heating-elements

Quote:
Also, the nut on the BK element is all rusty. I took element out to look at it more closely and rust particles fell all inside the kettle. I've attached a picture of the nut. I didn't think these would rust? Should the nuts have been passivized? We purchased the element kits assembled from here probably about a year ago. Any thoughts on cleaning it up?

I'd use some Oxiclean or Bar Keepers Friend or similar. Doesn't need to be passivated. That happens naturally. This is very curious, as you shouldn't have any discoloration. I swapped my elements out for the new stainless base models about 2 years ago and use the exact same nut and they still look brand new.

Did you happen to use the nut on on any dissimilar metals such as an element that has an iron base instead of stainless?

Kal

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ghandlin




Joined: 09 Oct 2016
Posts: 96



PostLink    Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 8:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Burnt element & rust on nut Reply with quote

Quote:
I would replace the element. Available here: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/stainless-steel-heating-elements


Thx Kal, I was thinking the same thing.

Quote:
Did you happen to use the nut on on any dissimilar metals such as an element that has an iron base instead of stainless?


Nope, only been on the pre-built kit and in that kettle. Now, the kettle was purchased used and I never passivated it. Perhaps that's part of the issue?

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kal
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Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 9:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would be surprised - passivation isn't something you normally need to do. Happens naturally.

Kal

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dp Brewing Company




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PostLink    Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 12:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It it is the element from you boil kettle I don't think it is rust. Most likely wort residue from previous brews.
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kal
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Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dp Brewing Company wrote:
It it is the element from you boil kettle I don't think it is rust. Most likely wort residue from previous brews.

You're right - looking at the picture again, it doesn't look like rust. Hard to tell however.

Kal

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ghandlin




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PostLink    Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 3:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It cleaned up pretty nicely when I pulled it apart and used Bar Keeper's Friend on it.
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George Handlin
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dp Brewing Company




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PostLink    Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 3:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ghandlin wrote:
It cleaned up pretty nicely when I pulled it apart and used Bar Keeper's Friend on it.


Wait a couple days for the natural protection to build back up then soak it in water for a few days. You'll know if it will rust or not pretty quickly. My guess is that it was just some old brew residue.

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Ozarks Mountain Brew




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PostLink    Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 3:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree it looks like burnt wort not rust
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