[Nick Bates]

Hey im in the process of building my mash tun, i just bought all the parts, the parts list calls for a 5/8 stainless steel fender washer for the inside seeing as water touchs this its pretty important. Is there a way to test if the washer I bought is stainless steel? I went to the hardware store and the guy brought it out from the back and said its stainless steel but I was hoping to test it just to make sure.Also for the outside of the mash tun I need 3 5/8 fender washers these are steel/zinc washers is this ok for the outside of the mash tun? Any and all help would be great. Thanks... I used this website as a reference im doing the igloo mash tun.


http://www.homebrewt...n&printable=yes

[dj in kc]

You might try a magnet on it. SS may have a little magnetic property depending on the grade. It won't stick like it will on the cheaper washers. I'd probably go with brass or SS on the outside. The other stuff will probably rust after a while.

[Nick Bates]

would you recommend a brass fender washer for the inside of the mash tun? I just dont want anything toxic goin in my wort. the washer i have for the inside of the mash tun is not magnetic...

[zymot]

Nick Bates, on 08 February 2010 - 06:17 PM, said:

would you recommend a brass fender washer for the inside of the mash tun? I just dont want anything toxic goin in my wort. the washer i have for the inside of the mash tun is not magnetic...

I would prefer a known brass component over a questionable stainless steel component.

From John Palmer's book How to Brew.

Quote

Cleaning Brass
Some brewers use brass fittings in conjunction with their wort chillers or other brewing equipment and are concerned about the lead that is present in brass alloys. A solution of two parts white vinegar to one part hydrogen peroxide (common 3% solution) will remove tarnish and surface lead from brass parts when they are soaked for 5 minutes or less at room temperature. The brass will turn a buttery yellow color as it is cleaned. If the solution starts to turn green and the brass darkens, then the parts have been soaking too long and the copper in the brass is beginning to dissolve, exposing more lead. The solution has become contaminated and the part should be re-cleaned in a fresh solution.

Source:

http://www.howtobrew.../appendixB.html

The above is from the online first edition. If you have the 2nd or 3rd edition, it goes into more detail, I believe.

Stainless steel is the first choice, brass would be second. For HLT anbd boiling pots, I use aluminum.

zymot

[dj in kc]

Nick Bates, on 08 February 2010 - 08:17 PM, said:

would you recommend a brass fender washer for the inside of the mash tun? I just dont want anything toxic goin in my wort. the washer i have for the inside of the mash tun is not magnetic...

\


Thought I said outside. Aside from that I have wort going through a lot of brass in my brewery. I didn't bother pickling mine, if you have cheap stuff from China you might want to pickle per Palmer in How to Brew.

Not magnetic makes me think you probably do have SS for the inside washer.

Hang around, we really need more brewing posts here

[Nick Bates]

thanks for the quick replys so far,

[davelew]

Nick Bates, on 08 February 2010 - 07:15 PM, said:

Is there a way to test if the washer I bought is stainless steel?

The test I use is to scratch the washer with a drill to break through any plating, then let it sit on a damp sponge overnight. The combination of air and water in a sponge is a pretty aggressive test for rusting.

[Thirsty]

Look at your receipt.

If it was $.018, it is coated, if it was $1.18 it is SS

[BrewerGeorge]

dj in kc, on 08 February 2010 - 10:22 PM, said:

...
Not magnetic makes me think you probably do have SS for the inside washer.
...

Zinc isn't magnetic, either...

[macbrak]

put it in some wort like substance and see if it gets crusty.

[BrewerGeorge]

I guess you could heat the crap out of it with a blow torch. If it turns bluish/yellow as it heats, it's probably stainless. If it melts, it's zinc.

[Nick Bates]

Thirsty, on 09 February 2010 - 10:59 AM, said:

Look at your receipt.

If it was $.018, it is coated, if it was $1.18 it is SS

it was 65 cents...lol

[Nick Bates]

davelew, on 09 February 2010 - 10:43 AM, said:

The test I use is to scratch the washer with a drill to break through any plating, then let it sit on a damp sponge overnight. The combination of air and water in a sponge is a pretty aggressive test for rusting.

I was thinking about doing that, if i scratch it would heal it self if it is stainless steal right? I kinda feel like im learning all over again moving to all grain. Thanks again for all the great tips guys.