Is my element toast?

[bearcamp]

I have an ebiab single vessel system. Brewed an IPA and decided to use my grain basket as a hop filter for the whirlpool hops. I added the basket with 5 minutes left to sanitize. Once temp got to 180 threw about 3.5 oz of hops. Decided it was a good idea to keep the element on to keep the temp at 180 for the 20 min whirlpool. After cleaning I notice black areas on my element. I soaked it in pbw and the black areas are not coming off. I think when I was recirculating during the whilirpool the hops clogged the bottom of the basket and parts of my element was dry

Any other ideas?

 

[passedpawn]

Here's how I keep my 5500W ripples squeeky clean. Really. It's probably dumb to do, but I've been doing it for years no problem. Worst case, someday I'll have to replace one of them. I've been brewing with them regularly since 2009.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKG3UjT0Wz4[/ame]

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

WOW!!!
I've never dry fired mine. Its always a little crusty but has never done me any harm

 

[bearcamp]

So dry firing may take some of the "burn" off?

 

[stlbeer]

You might also use one of those green scrubbing pads. While the element is still wet the caked on matter will come right off.

 

[passedpawn]

So dry firing may take some of the "burn" off?

Works for me.

 

[njpatg]

After every brew i soak my element in vinegar , it still looks like its new

 

[augiedoggy]

So is it the black scorched areas or the rust thats concerning you? I never saw a ripple element where the ripple part wasn't stainless? Or does it just look like rust in the pictures. Hopefully the scorching doesnt make your beer taste like an ashtray..