What happened to these SS ball bearings

[Kalmah]

I bought some ball bearings to weigh down and sink my dry hop bag. They were advertised as SS. But when I soaked them overnight in Oxyclean they had these black splotches on them. I'm thinking the marks are from where they were touching each other. This shouldn't happen if they're really SS, right?

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

stainless is resistant to corrosion not impervious.

soak anything stainless in a solution long enough and it will rust.

 

[BreezyBrew]

I read a post a while ago from Denny, and he said he saw no difference in sinking the bags and floating them. Since then I haven't bothered to weigh them down.

Marbles may be an option?

 

[bja]

I bought some ball bearings to weigh down and sink my dry hop bag. They were advertised as SS. But when I soaked them overnight in Oxyclean they had these black splotches on them. I'm thinking the marks are from where they were touching each other. This shouldn't happen if they're really SS, right?

Depends on what grade of stainless they are. Why would you soak them in oxyclean?

 

[Kalmah]

Depends on what grade of stainless they are. Why would you soak them in oxyclean?

I guess I just soak any new stainless parts in a cleaner before using them. I've never seen corrosion like this before.

 

[thumpersk_a]

Put them in warm hydrochloric acid if they turn green they are chrome plated. They look plated to me.

 

[Brauer]

Buy some marbles. They will only change color if you soak them in FIRE

 

[nicolas_james]

I've also used the little glass "pebbles" for aquariums. They were a little easier for me to find than marbles.

 

[atoughram]

I also use glass marbles or stick a small drink glass in the hop bag with the hops.

 

[schematix]

i've used glass marbles in the past and they work great. i boil them with the hop sack for sanitizing.

 

[JustLooking]

Some stainless ball bearing are hardened. The grades of stainless that are heat treatable don't have the same corrosion resistance as the austenitic grades.

 

[MaxStout]

Go to the hardware store and get some large SS nuts.

 

[Rivenin]

i've used a butter knife or spoon or two before and it's SS and easily available in your nearest kitchen!