Stainless brew kettle worry

Back when I moved to all grain brewing, I bought an inexpensive (read made in China) stainless brew pot so I could accomplish a full boil. When it arrived it had a couple of small blemishes but it seemed OK. Inside the pot, a grinder had been used to smooth the spot weld where the handles were attached. One of the grinds looked a little deep but since I didn’t know at the time if I would be sticking with all grain brewing I let it pass. Once I tried the all grain method I never looked back and have been brewing with this kettle for a number of years now with no problems in the spot weld grind areas. Recently, I started experimenting with the “No Chill” method and so the wort remains in the brew pot overnight at a level above the grind marks. Now, I’m beginning to notice the flaw in the stainless steel at the deep grind spot seems to be getting larger and showing as a black blemish. No rust stains or anything but I’m beginning to worry I might be contaminating my beer with heavy metals or something.

Do any of you stainless steel guru types out there feel like this might be poisoning the beer?

 

I had a similar issue with the seam on the bottom where the sandwiched bottom is welded. I took some SS polishing compound and that stopped the reaction.

 

You can help that area by cleaning with a passivation acid. The easiest to get a hold of is branded Bar Keepers Friend. Big box stores have it for less than $2. You can also use stronger acids and the right procedure to passivate the stainless.

 

Excellent suggestions. I wonder if Bar Keepers Friend will do both? Polish the blemish AND passivate the steel?

 

Disclaimer....not a guru by any means, just something "I've read on the internet"

I don't believe you have a concern for alarm or worry, the properties that make stainless, um stainless. Also make it highly unlikely to be a vehicle for contamination.

 

Cool, that's 4 cases of beer I won't be dumping out...

 

BKF should do both. Make the paste real thick and it will be more effective.

 

Just noticed your in California, sorry, but it may be hazardous there....


You may have to ship the beer out of state for consumption.

 

This site comes through again! It's the best resource for the home brewer without a doubt.

Thanks everyone!

 

Texas bound as soon as things here are wrapped up!