So you have decided to purchase "pre-owned" brewing equipment and need your money to go as far as it can, yet still be an intelligent decision. What can you do to assure that you are not spending your hard-won money on what might essentially be scrap metal? Well, draw up a chair and let's talk about the good & the bad experiences that others have had and how to maximize your chances for success in this fluid marketplace. By John Mallett, Brewmaster, Bell's Brewery
Stress corrosion cracking is a general term describing stressed alloy failures appearing as cracks in the stainless steel that occur in corrosive environments.
The most general definition of stainless steel is an alloy of iron and chromium, with at least 10.5 percent chromium. When exposed to oxygen or oxidizing solutions, such as nitric acid, stainless steels form a thin, protective "passive film."
Most brewing vessels are fabricated in a similar manner. It is helpful to understand how your vessel was built in order to formulate an effective plan for dealing with problems like SCC
Dave Miller starts from the top - first, go on a fact finding mission to pub breweries that have systems built by each of the fabricators you are talking to - and takes you through the process.
A primer on stainless steel reviews its composition and properties, discusses methods of cleaning and sanitization, and provides important tips for anyone fabricating or modifying stainless steel equipment.
