Enamel Pot Reuse/Repair

[jsb]

I have a 4-gallon enamel pot that I used back in the 90s as my primary brew pot. I know people warn against using them as brew pots as when they chip, they rust and impart yada, yada, yada...

Well, I am moving to all grain, and I now have an SS 8 gallon brewpot, so that is not an issue. However, I would still like to use the enamel pot specifically for sparge water, nothing else. The pot has a minor chip in it, maybe half the size of an average fingernail. Should I/ could I repair it, or even worry about it as I am only going to use it for sparge?

If I choose to repair it, how would I go about it?

 

[sickbrew]

I wouldn't worry about it. Any beasties will eventually be boiled away. You can get small patch kits however.

Here's some basic instructions.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5978646_repair-enamel-cookware.html

 

[JuanMoore]

I'd definately worry about it, especially if the chip is below the water line. Rust is not a beasty that can be boiled away, and it doesn't take much of it to ruin a batch. The chip can be fixed easily enough, but keep in mind that you're likely to get more chips in the future.

 

[jsb]

Well, some say yes, some say no. I am unwilling to take a chance for the $40 cost of a new 5 gallon SS pot. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[JuanMoore]

I'm not saying don't use it. Just patch the chip before use and inspect it for additional chipping regularly and it should be fine.