Worst Brewday Ever

[Old Hooky]

I've had a few disasters over the many years that I've been brewing. Today was probably the worst ever. I have one of those 50 litre Stainless Steel pots that are becoming popular these days. I believe they are made by a German company called Bergen, correct me if I'm wrong. This morning whilst I was heating up my mash liquor I got the old pot out. I couldn't believe how much rust was evident on it. It's supposed to be Stainless Steel after all? I cleaned up the brown stuff and set about the mash. Fast forward to the boil and about 20 minutes in I saw what looked like small drops of wort on the bottom of the pot, quickly being evaporated by the heat from my gas burner. On closer inspection I could see a hairline crack in the weld seam that runs vertically up the side of the pot. I was now panicking.. I'd spent a good few hours getting to this stage and the thought of losing all my wort... The only answer was some heavy duty duck tape which I patched over the crack. To my surprise after about ten minutes the leak ceased and I carried on. Has anyone else had a problem with these pots? I notified the guy at Powell Brewing where I bought it from but he says he's never had anyone returning these pots to him.

[Kyle_T]

Whilst I didn't have an issue with the pot itself, I had a hell of a time sealing the element after I drilled the stainless, many, many litres of wort ended up on the work top, brew days aborted, you name it!

[Old Hooky]

Kyle I thought I remember you once saying that yours had developed rust? I think i'm going to go for one of those more expensive pots from the Malt Miller SS Brewing. With the triclad base and thicker walls. I spoke to a mate about this today and he told me it is always where the stainless steel is welded that becomes the weak spot. He told me Stainless Steel is just mild steel with Chrome and Nickel added. When the seam is heated up for welding, the chrome and Nickel gets lost and you end up with less Stainless steel in the weld even though you use SS welding rods.

[Fil]

How old is the pot?? the company is bergland, i have an email for customer service/sales : catering-portal.bergland@msg.afterbuy.de
I had occasion to return a thermopot and the whole business was delt with smoothly and simply with a replacement being dispatched on reciept of the original couriers all organised by bergland.


The pots are thin, but should not rust or leak. That is kind of crucial to their use after all. Its worth a polite email with a photo attachment to them imho, they may offer you a replacement or a significant discount on a replacement at least. The problem with a higher quality thicker walled pot is that it will be that much harder to punch a hole through, though if using a qmax punch it should do it ok as long as its well oiled up

While the thicker pots are a higher quality i would only consider one above the thinner bergland pots if i were considering heating via an induction hob, Though ive not had any rust issues with mine which have spent damp winters in a teabag of a garage

my understanding is very 'LAY' but SS can loose its protection a number of ways and can also be re-pacified too the professionals use an acidic paste 'pickeling paste' and a neutralising wash.. the web informs me some automotive acidic rust treatments can also be used, as can elbow grease with a dry scotchpad and air exposure.. SO if your SS pots show signs of rust start googling how to re pacify your SS

[Kyle_T]

Kyle I thought I remember you once saying that yours had developed rust? I think i'm going to go for one of those more expensive pots from the Malt Miller SS Brewing. With the triclad base and thicker walls. I spoke to a mate about this today and he told me it is always where the stainless steel is welded that becomes the weak spot. He told me Stainless Steel is just mild steel with Chrome and Nickel added. When the seam is heated up for welding, the chrome and Nickel gets lost and you end up with less Stainless steel in the weld even though you use SS welding rods.

That was my thermopot mash tun, it developed a streak where I tipped the grain out and rinsed it.

[Old Hooky]

I don't think the crack would show up on a photo as it is very small and I'd have a job getting in that close. I might put some epoxy resin over it and give it a test boil. Or just buy another one. I got this in September 2014. Also it was Angel Home Brew who sold it to me not Powell Brewing as I stated above. Not that the retailer is to blame for the fault. It's a manufacturing problem trust me to get a duff one.

[Fil]

Have you contacted Angel Home Brew? they have a good customer service rep afaik and have made positive forum contributions..
Its not unreasonable to expect a SS stock pot to retain liquids for longer than a year or so. I suspect that angel home brew may simply replace the pot once a pot fault has been confirmed and its not a leak from a flame licked fitting seal. while i cant find a single bergland listing on ebay.fr atm to check, im pretty sure there is some longevity warranty/guarantee from the manufacturer/distributer which again isnt unreasonable and if so Angel HB will just pass the pot back

Im not suggesting you go all consumer rights full guns a blasting, but simply let Angel HB know they sold you a duff pot, they will probably have to see it to believe it, absorbent tissue paper, toilet roll etc is a cheap and easy visual indicator of leaking;)
shoot a 2 minute vid of wiping the full pot dry and hold a tissue flat over the leak to show it

[Old Hooky]

I've used epoxy resin now so I will keep an eye on it in future. If it shows any signs of leaking again I will just chuck it out or get someone to braze it.