I watched Brians video a few days ago and decided i would use his bar keepers friend method i watched it again today as i am getting the FV ready for making my kit tomorrow and i noticed the comment below, do you agree with John Palmesrs comments that all you need to do is make sure you clean the inside thoroughly to get rid of any manufacturing oils/grease etc and the SS will be good to go?
Hi Brian, I was pleased to see this passivation video using BKF, but you have a misconception that might be making this harder than it needs to be. First, stainless steel is an alloy so the chromium is always there at the surface, along with the iron and nickel. Assuming that the metal surface is clean, bare, free of dirt, oil, or protein residue that can prevent oxygen from contacting the surface, that clean surface WILL passivate. Instantly. The dispersion of chromium across the surface will oxidize and prevent oxidation (rust) of any nearby iron-rich phases. So, the primary purpose of a good cleanser like Bar Keepers Friend is that it abrasively removes dirt and oil, and chemically reduces any rust which may have been present, leaving a clean surface that instantly passivates. In regards to your video, mixing the paste is fine, but the action is the scrubbing with it, not putting it on and leaving it for 15 minutes. The time doesn't hurt as long as the scrubbing takes place, but the time isn't needed. Yes, rinse thoroughly after scrubbing (with a rinsed sponge). Drying quickly is not really necessary. Ordinary tap water is not a hinderance to passivation, although if you have a high mineral tap water that leaves scale everywhere, and/or contains a lot of chlorine, that could be an issue, so drying with a towel makes sense as good general practice. Bottom line, yes I agree with your video, clean the Foundry or any stainless equipment when you receive it with PBW and BKF and then consider it passivated. There is nothing? you are going to do to it that will remove passivation in the course of normal brewing and clean-up. (Unless you filled it with bleach water. That would be bad.) Ok, sorry to take lots of space. Cheers!
