Brew pot handle bolts damaged by PBW

I just bought a 5 gal. stainless steel brewpot, used it for the first time, and left it full of PBW overnight after first use. When I cleaned it out the next day, the pot itself was fine, but the bolts that fasten the handles to the pot had a strange powder/corrosion on them. Did I ruin my pot right of the bat? Can I still use it?

Bolts can be replaced if they are corroded. Are you sure those are not rivits? If rivits give them a good cleaning with Barkeeper’s Frine. Then rinse well and let air dry.

Bolts? I’d replace them. If rivets it grind them out and replace with bolts. Use stainless hardware. Two different types of metal plus acid equals a battery, meaning you will get corrosion. Your pot should be fine.

Okay, I keep trying to post a picture via dropbox, but it’s not working out. To be precise, they are more like rivets. Flat surface rather than a tradition nut and bolt. I’m thinking maybe the rivets are aluminum and reacted with the PBW?

Or they were made from a low grade of Stainless that is more workable, or something that was zinc coated. Maybe aluminum, but I would not think that would be usual.

Barkeeper’s Friend looks like a good choice. Thank you. I don’t want the corrosion to affect the boil in any way.

Try BK friend or soaking that pot in Starsan.  It looks similar to the deposits I will see on my boilcoils and a 30 minute starsan soak takes those right off.  PBW is great for organic deposits.  Acids are great for mineral deposits.

Interesing point, JT, thank you. I’ll try both methods. I can Star-San spray it right now.

Worth a try to spray them first, but when I clean the boilcoils or even my wort chiller, I actually submerge them in Star-San.  Shiny!