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Permalink Reply by weosal on March 26, 2011 at 5:27am

Andrew,

 

Thanks much for the input!  I took another look at it and I think you might be right, it is probably aluminum.  However, it was a dark grey so it didn't really occur to me.  Also, I didn't know if aluminum could easily take all the heat put out by the heating element.  Anyway, I had given it a cleaning with vinegar and water -- which almost seemed to create a dark sludge from cleaning the cast and which is why I was really worried about drinking coffee from it -- but if you think baking soda might do a better trick, then I'll try that.  Also, I re-read my post and noticed a couple of ambiguities.  If it wasn't apparent from the context, the "smudges" were those that you'd get onto a towel *from* the cast.  Not sure that was clear and can see how it might have been read another way.  BTW, I've uploaded a coupe of photos to give you a better idea what it looks like.  As you can tell, the cast is somewhat corroded and pitted, but I guess this probably happened after years of use.  Also, as I said, it was heavily calcified and I got the feeling that someone had gotten rid of it after leaving water inside for an extended period of time.  Let me know if the pics changes your opinion about being able to drink it or not.  

 

Thanks again!

 

-MQ

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Permalink Reply by Brady on March 26, 2011 at 5:40am

I think Andrew may have it. Does it have a back side that hasn't been exposed to the cleaner that you could look at?

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Permalink Reply by weosal on March 26, 2011 at 6:19am

 

Good point!  It doesn't really have a backside, but the bottom of the element wasn't exposed to the cleaner and it's bit grey.  Not as dark as the element (see attached pics), but it is grey and as far as I can tell, it is one solid piece (can't remove the brass ring to check).  BTW, I did some poking around the internet and came across a discussion somewhere that mentioned aluminum oxide being nearly black and with a tendency to rub off, which could account for the "sludge" I observed when cleaning with vinegar and water.  So, it seems that the maker should be good to go (and safe to drink!) with another good cleaning, so the only question is whether the taste will be affected by the oxide.  I guess this is subjective and needs to be tried to decide.  

 

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Permalink Reply by weosal on March 26, 2011 at 6:48am

 

I noticed the chip in the aluminum, too.  That's one of the reasons that made me iffy about drinking it b/c I thought whatever the material was, it would get into the coffee and may be unhealthy.  Unfortunately, the machine is so old (1960's or 70's, I think) and I've read that the company went out of business in the late 80's or early 90's, I figured it might be hard to track a replacement element down.  However, when I first started cleaning the machine I was boiling the water/vinegar mixture thru the machine, so I know the element still works fine.  Also, the element itself looks to be stainless, so I'l okay using it, as long as the safety and taste factor are ok.  

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Permalink Reply by weosal on March 27, 2011 at 7:02am

 

Andrew,

 

Thanks.  I think it's the most sensible thing to do and the taste will be the final judge.  

 

Thanks again for your help.

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