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Tiny rust spots on ss heating element

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 6:30 am
by Kindafrench
Hi guys,

I cleaned my boiler today and had a closer look at the heating element.
Little brown spots on the surface :(
I think it‘s micro/spot corrosion, so what to do?

Is it worth or does it help, treating the element with phosphoric acid or the less aggressive acetic acid?
Any experience already made?
I‘ve got a heating element in spare, so exchanging the rusty one wouldn‘t be a big thing. But it‘s a Chinese
one, too. Don‘t throw stones, please.

To end my questions, what element do you prefer? Are there any around, which doesn‘t rust
(I can imagine there are :D )
Did I do something wrong, with leaving the backset in the boiler for a couple of days before
cleaning? Did that a couple of times :shock:

Re: Tiny rust spots on ss heating element

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:08 am
by Demy
Are you sure it's rust? I would clean with a delicate scrubber with soap for dishes as before.

Re: Tiny rust spots on ss heating element

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:26 am
by Kindafrench
Pretty sure, but I‘ll give it a try. I‘m afraid it spreads and affects the boiler. Phosphoric acid should dissolve or reduct any iron oxide, as far as I understood. Have to read a bit more about the chemics.

Re: Tiny rust spots on ss heating element

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 8:26 am
by StillerBoy
Kindafrench wrote: Mon Mar 29, 2021 6:30 am Little brown spots on the surface
Some element are of the same standard of material use..

So if you load the boiler a day so before run, or leave the backset in for a few days before draining it.. the water in the mix will start the rust on element or the element base..

The base will rust on some element base, even if the element itself is stainless stain..

I would not use the acid, just clean it up some, it will be good to go.. if it ever rust so that water gets to it, it will just short out, in the same manner as a hot water tank..

Mars

Re: Tiny rust spots on ss heating element

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:13 am
by Kindafrench
Ok, so I‘ll scrub and use it for a while, keeping an eye on corrosion.

Which element to buy as a spare? 3 kw max. / 230 v EU standard. Might weld a 2“ triclamp to make things easier.