Brass connectors and ball valve ("in California" Some-Low Lead)... Did I screw up $?

[LinuxAssailant]

Went to Lowe's and got assisted today with some parts so I could make a mash ton. I didn't think about lead in the brass fittings, and after researching StarSan and brass (I don't care about it in 5.56, or 9mm... but my lady and I don't drink from that), now I grow concerned.

When I got my parts I took them all out of the packages, I cut the tips off 2 hoses and noticed a "machine" smell, like oil used in swagging machines in the Stainless mesh after turning the sharp parts inward. I dropped all brass in a pot of the hottest tap water with a smidge of StarSan and let them soak for like 20 minutes, opened the ball valve and gave it all another 10 minutes. I then rinsed off everything thoroughly and since the lady was baking some stuff I set it all on a pan-lid near the exhaust for the oven to dry happily (and prevent rust on the mesh, I hoped?).

In doing some more research, it appears much of what I bought is low-lead brass, but some (barbed adapters and such) does not appear to be. The ball-valve is "CA, MD, VT Low-Lead Standards Compliant Yes"

1) Do you all use stainless everything?

(Edit: My local shop sells brass: http://www.murrietahomebrew.com/catalog/spigots-valves-taps/ball-valve-38-brass-w-male-barbs)
2) Should I be concerned?

3) Might I have wasted a bit of money on some brass adapters I might have to re-buy in stainless?

I can't seem to find instructions to what seems to be called "pickling"... but I have seen it referenced tonight in some searching. Please advise, or drop a link to this procedure.

(I did in fact get all the parts to get a mash ton created w/ a 10 gallon cooler, AND the parts needed to create a wort chiller and a T to splice into the cool water supply under the sink... I did 1/2 of it right... tell me how I did on the rest.)

4) I did get 50' of 3/8" copper for the chiller, should that work well?

5) Are "Erlenmeyer Flask - 1,000 ml" a good size for washing yeast and storing with a rubber stopper for a month?

6) Are rubber stoppers bad/unsanitary for carboys? My local shop sold me a plastic one that wouldn't stay in the carboy and keep a seal, I had to use some velcro around the neck and wrap it under the bubbler/over the cap.

 

[day_trippr]

Here's the "how to pickle brass fittings" you couldn't find.

I use stainless everything...

Cheers!

 

[Beernik]

Lead exposure to adults is a lot different than lead exposure to children. It's a bigger problem for children.

I used a brass ball valve for a couple years. I replaced it with stainless when I replaced my MLT manifold with a bazooka screen.

50 feet of 3/8" copper tube is perfect for building a chiller. It's the easiest build project ever.

I don't know how a 1L flask is for storing yeast but I use one for making starters.

I have used rubber stoppers for glass carboys for years.

 

[LinuxAssailant]

Thanks y'all. It would be nice if there was a pickling title, or sticky.

 

[LinuxAssailant]

Should the lead-free ball valve be okay to use, or will tin disperse in the wort and be an issue?

 

[LordUlrich]

With lead contamination is is all about concentration. I did the math one time and if you consumed all the led in a fitting at one time it would not be enough to be a concern. However you are not getting all the lead in the fitting, just a tinny bit from the surface will dissolve over the course of a long time.
I have several brass fittings but am moving to stainless slowly.