Burnt elements - remedies?

[injac]

On transferring my wort to the fv noticed the element has turned black. Reading online it seems a common problem and likely caused by loose grain sitting on it. How have people got rid of it and any recommended procedures to avert? Have just sprayed it with some kitchen spray for it to sit in overnight. Will I be able to rescue it or do I need to buy a new element?

[Fil]

im in a hard water area so much so if i dont scrub the elements back to shiny after a brew im likley to burn one out n kill it next brew.

citric acid, lemon juice and vinigar are all great at decrudding an element with an overnight soak
but next brew simply get a pan scrubbie and attack the element as soon as you have rinsed out the hop debris, if caught soon after the boil its a LOT softer and takes no time to get you a shiny as new element.

you can test the element, it should conduct well between the 2 power poles so a multimeter set to measure ohms will tell you. Black sounds bad, can u post a pic?

[orlando]

The remedies suggested so far as a proper cleaning regime are perfectly sound but something like this can need a little help. I had an element glow red when the boiler ran dry and blackened, this stuff was magic and is good for all shiny stuff as well.

[injac]

Not my picture but this post on another forum has exactly what has happened to mine (top picture).

http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2437

[andyCo]

Not my picture but this post on another forum has exactly what has happened to mine (top picture).

http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2437

That looks like caramelized wort , I had a similar problem in my buffalo boiler when doing wheat heavy beers.
Soak overnight in citric acid and a good scrub should do the trick.
If not I used Kilrock kettle descaler at work .....I reckon that would shift it.


Andy