Base of element rusting

[Mark_tries_brewing]

I have electric brewing system I have used twice thus far. The bases of my elements are starting to rust already. I am using the Camco 5500w ripple elements, one in my HLT and one in my BK. Right now I have the elements removed. What can I do to remove the little bit of rust that has developed already? Is there a tried and true solution to keeping these elements from rusting? I had been hoping that by only keeping water in the kettles for a few hours while brewing I would be okay but quickly that has turned out not to be the case.

 

[ebstauffer]

Give it a good brushing with a small stainless welding brush and then a thin coat of rtv silicone. that or dont worry about it.

 

[kal]

The threaded silver coloured base of the heating element is not corrosion resistant. Some rust may form on this base if water is left in the kettle for a prolonged period of time.

These heating elements are normally used in electric water heaters that also have a sacrificial anode installed to combat this issue. The anode's sole purpose is to oxidize first, thereby protecting the heating element base from rusting. Brewing kettles do not have an anode so make sure you do not leave water in the kettle for a prolonged period of time. Leaving water in during a typical brewing period is not an issue for most brewers. In fact, a protective coating will form on the element base in the Boil Kettle after a few uses. It's more of an issue in the Hot Liquor Tank if you leave water standing for extended periods. This may be exasperated if you have hard water.

Some brewers will install a magnesium anode in the side of their kettle to combat this issue. See here for some example installations and instructions.

Kal