hotwatermusic
Well-Known Member
If the O in CO2 is oxygen, why don't my kegs all oxidize?
In fact they are all oxidized and that is why they don't rust (are stainless). Their surfaces are coated with a thin layer of chromium oxide which 'passivates' them protecting the iron underneath from attack by the oxygen in the air when wet.If the O in CO2 is oxygen, why don't my kegs all oxidize?
Thanks. I did indeed mean to ask about the beer and not the keg itself. Sorry for the poor wording.
However since I had a bonus question answered, may I ask for some further elaboration?
I have some Firestone kegs that do oxidize. They were handed down from a guy who had been brewing since the seventies and my belief is that the chromium oxide layer that AJ mentioned may have been damaged and the stainless was subjected to some pitting from the use of bleach.
Is that a reasonable assumption?
I will also be awarding bonus points should someone be able to answer with them sciency capital letters with the arrows and parentheses and what not.
Bleach will damage SS for sure. It ate the end of a dip tube and created a hole in the bottom of a my cornie keg. I left a bit of bleach down there for at least a week.
Bar Keepers Friend (oxalic acid) restores stainless steel very well. If you're seeing any rust on those kegs, it's because the oxidized layer has been removed by contaminants, or free iron as been added by cleaning with steel wool, file, etc. The acid in BKF will take care of all of that, revealing the chromium on the surface, which will readily oxidize and protect your shiny friend.
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