Stainless steel kettle, Oxiclean free - damaged?

MaxStout · Nov 21, 2015

I don't think it will be hazardous. If the rivets are zinc-plated, I doubt it would add enough zinc to be a problem. But, as others have noted, you might have problems down the road from galvanic corrosion. Those rivets could eventually fail.

It might be that some wrong rivets found their way into the manufacturing process. It happens. You should contact Polarware. Send photos. I'd think that they would want to know about these mfg. issues. The kettles are probably contract manufactured offshore, and Polarware would need to know about non-conforming goods coming from there.

Redlantern · Nov 21, 2015

MaxStout said:
I don't think it will be hazardous. If the rivets are zinc-plated, I doubt it would add enough zinc to be a problem. But, as others have noted, you might have problems down the road from galvanic corrosion. Those rivets could eventually fail.

It might be that some wrong rivets found their way into the manufacturing process. It happens. You should contact Polarware. Send photos. I'd think that they would want to know about these mfg. issues. The kettles are probably contract manufactured offshore, and Polarware would need to know about non-conforming goods coming from there.

I checked Polar ware catalog and found the kettle was a basic kettle. Not restaurant level. Good chance rivets are anodized. That itself is not so much a problem, but if that coating is compromised, exposure to acidic substances will cause them to corrode.

Redlantern · Nov 21, 2015

ILMSTMF said:
Not the answers I was hoping for. Thanks to all for your insight. I'm still going to brew with it this Friday...unless someone comes out to say that I'll be brewing something hazardous! Thanks!

Might as well. At this point, it is likely aesthetic more than anything. If the handles hold and are not loose, nothing to worry about. It is only a few pounds and probability of catastrophic failure is about zero for the near future

ILMSTMF · Nov 21, 2015

Ok thanks for your insight. I checked two magnets against all surfaces of kettle including rivets and the lid. They didn't stick to anything. I don't have the brain power at the moment to understand galvanized, anodized, chromium, and zinc oxide. Sorry! With this latest info...
Do I need to pursue manufacturer?
Should I expect, at the worst, the rivets to fail and lose handles as result? Or something worse than that as time goes on?
Thanks!

ILMSTMF · Nov 21, 2015

Oh one more thing. I'm doing 3 gallon boils in here which keeps the water line below these rivets.
The lesson learned is not to do an overnight soak of oxiclean. Anyone beg to differ?

MaxStout · Nov 21, 2015

ILMSTMF said:
Ok thanks for your insight. I checked two magnets against all surfaces of kettle including rivets and the lid. They didn't stick to anything. I don't have the brain power at the moment to understand galvanized, anodized, chromium, and zinc oxide. Sorry! With this latest info...
Do I need to pursue manufacturer?
Should I expect, at the worst, the rivets to fail and lose handles as result? Or something worse than that as time goes on?
Thanks!

I'd still contact the company. Tell them you are concerned about the corrosion. You were using a household-grade cleaner. It shouldn't corrode like that. Who knows, maybe it is a quality control issue and they'll make good. You'll never know unless you reach out.

Redlantern · Nov 21, 2015

Will be a long time to failure. Keep brewing

ILMSTMF · Nov 21, 2015

I love this place. Thanks, friends.

kevink · Nov 21, 2015

Yeah, it will take forever for the rivets to fail. If you don't like the way they look, you can always grind them off and replace them with SS bolts!

IslandLizard · Nov 21, 2015

kevink said:
Yeah, it will take forever for the rivets to fail. If you don't like the way they look, you can always grind them off and replace them with SS bolts!

You win the prize for the best suggestion! :mug:

Redlantern · Nov 21, 2015

kevink · Nov 21, 2015

IslandLizard said:
You win the prize for the best suggestion!

Thanks! To be more specific, I would use something nice like a button head screw, and if you really want to get fancy, you can put a little bit of food grade silicone between the underside of the head and the inside kettle wall. Something like this:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#92949a265/=zwuuto

I guessed at the diameter. You will have to measure the diameter of the rivet after removing them.

Redlantern · Nov 21, 2015

Center punch the center of the rivet heads inside the kettle. Use a 1/8 drill bit and get a good start into the rivets and drill about 1/8 inch into the head. Step up the drill bit up to 3/16 inch. Go slowly and drill a little at a time until the rivet head falls off. Clean out the handle starting again with a 1/8 bit. Step up as necessary. Make sure the handle is clamped down to something to keep it from spinning about the drill bit

ILMSTMF · Nov 22, 2015

Getting serious in here. Thanks dudes. I don't mind how these look and since I don't need to worry about brewing something hazardous, I'm just going to continue to use without worry. Thanks again!

unionrdr · Nov 22, 2015

Well, at least you know how to drill out rivets if needs be. We used to do hot riveting with the lil furnace in Industrial arts in 9th grade. This reminds me of that... :mug:

ILMSTMF · Dec 3, 2015

Polar Ware confirms the corrosion is due to the rivets being aluminum parts. Had I knew that, I would've never used PBW or Oxi above those rivets (at least for a long soak). Bummer.

PlexVector · Dec 3, 2015

ILMSTMF said:
Polar Ware confirms the corrosion is due to the rivets being aluminum parts. Had I knew that, I would've never used PBW or Oxi above those rivets (at least for a long soak). Bummer.

Value Added Value Engineering (VAVE) strikes again!

dwhite60 · Dec 3, 2015

ILMSTMF said:
Polar Ware confirms the corrosion is due to the rivets being aluminum parts. Had I knew that, I would've never used PBW or Oxi above those rivets (at least for a long soak). Bummer.

Takes less pressure to form an aluminum rivet than a stainless steel rivet. They might be concerned about deforming the pot with the extra pressure.

I'd drill then out as others suggested. Having your rivets fail while moving a partially filled pot could be very hazardous.

All the Best,
D. White

ILMSTMF · Dec 3, 2015

dwhite60 said:
I'd drill then out as others suggested. Having your rivets fail while moving a partially filled pot could be very hazardous.

Appreciate it. However, as a matter of testing, I can carry a full volume of cold water as a test and there is no bending, looseness, etc at the handles. I'm more concerned about the pitted rivets contributing something nasty to the beer. Should I worry about that? Thanks.

dwhite60 · Dec 3, 2015

ILMSTMF said:
Appreciate it. However, as a matter of testing, I can carry a full volume of cold water as a test and there is no bending, looseness, etc at the handles. I'm more concerned about the pitted rivets contributing something nasty to the beer. Should I worry about that? Thanks.

People seem to be brewing in aluminum pots. I don't think aluminum should be too much of an issue.

I'd still worry about weakening of the rivets though. You'll be good for some time. I'd keep a check on them though. Water weighs about 8 lbs per gallon on more accurately one kilogram per liter. Before brewing you could place some weight equal to your brewing volume plus maybe twenty-five percent in your kettle and lift it by the handles. Should give you a good safety margin.

Happy brewing!

All the Best,
D. White

IslandLizard · Dec 3, 2015

Don't move or lift (partially) full kettles!

Safer and better for your back too.

ILMSTMF · Dec 3, 2015

dwhite60 said:
People seem to be brewing in aluminum pots. I don't think aluminum should be too much of an issue.

Yes, they do seem to be brewing in aluminum pots, indeed.

Great suggestion re: weight in the pot. Will give it a whirl before next brew. Thanks!

stbob · Dec 4, 2015

I just use a scotch brite pad and lightly clean my pots, bkf will remove etching on nice kettles. A bit of dish soap if needed and rinse. The less crap I put on it the better, elbow grease is good. Exception for aluminum pots, don't scrub off the oxide layer.

Queequeg · Dec 4, 2015

+1 for not lifting partial or full brewpots. You only get one back you can replace a pump

DrunkleJon · Dec 4, 2015

I find that a rinse in the wort chiller water followed by a quick scrubby sponge wipe gets the majority of the hops and break material off of the pot. Then follow it with a couple rinses of more chiller water and you are set.

While chilling I send the hot wastewater into my mash tun and a couple homer buckets for cleanup purposes. Just be careful the first bucket worth is freaking hot.

Stainless steel kettle, Oxiclean free - damaged?

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