tri-clamp silicone gasket vs PTFE gasket

[Deerhunter]

There seems to be a lot of silicone gaskets being sold on all the distilling supply websites. I realty don't see to many PTFE gaskets advertised. The PTFE gaskets are more solid and rigid. Is silicone being excepted more these days?

[borntofli]

Just wrap thread tape on the 2 surfaces and no leaks......... simple and cheap......

[cob]

There seems to be a lot of silicone gaskets being sold on all the distilling supply websites. Is silicone being excepted more these days?

not on this site.

consider your source.

some internet sellers would sell you a hemlock gasket and claim it's organic if they could get away with it.

[Brutal]

Some consider it safe in a still, here we don't. Wrapping with ptfe would go a long way toward making it viable. PTFE gaskets are great but do not conform well to irregular surfaces or shit being at a tweaked angle.

[Danespirit]

I use triclamps and PFTE as the only connection on my modular still.
True..many people discover a leak issue with them, especially when your triclamp warped a bit from welding/soldering. I solved this by polishing them of with grid 600 sandpaper and water, after welding it all. No problems hereafter.
It's tempting to use silicone gaskets, as the seal really good. This issue has been discussed many times on HD. Everytime the conclusion is..DO NOT use it.

[Tony_D]

Where are said gaskets being used? I ask because I work at a gasket company and 90% of what we make are PTFE gaskets for various purposes.

[Deerhunter]

They can be used between two ferrules or pot to column connection, on sight glasses. I would say anywhere ferrules are being used

[goldfishcf]

I use triclamps and PFTE as the only connection on my modular still.
True..many people discover a leak issue with them, especially when your triclamp warped a bit from welding/soldering. I solved this by polishing them of with grid 600 sandpaper and water, after welding it all. No problems hereafter.

I have a 3/4 tri clamp on my still to separate column and condenser. I bought a set of two w/clamp and gasket (threw the gasket away and made one) it came with threaded ends. Bought a 3/4 copper adapter, soldered it on my copper pipe. Thread taped the threads of the tri clamp. And screwed it on. No warping. No leaks. And works great. I can break down my setup in no time flat.

I use triclamps and PFTE as the only connection on my modular still.
True..many people discover a leak issue with them, especially when your triclamp warped a bit from welding/soldering. I solved this by polishing them of with grid 600 sandpaper and water, after welding it all. No problems hereafter.
It's tempting to use silicone gaskets, as the seal really good. This issue has been discussed many times on HD. Everytime the conclusion is..DO NOT use it.

[goldfishcf]

Where are said gaskets being used? I ask because I work at a gasket company and 90% of what we make are PTFE gaskets for various purposes.

A PTFE gasket made for a triclamp of various sizes would be nice. As well as one for a tri clamp to keg gasket. (One side is flat against the keg and one has a lip to fit inside the clamp)
Just my opinion.

Where are said gaskets being used? I ask because I work at a gasket company and 90% of what we make are PTFE gaskets for various purposes.

[Diesel410]

I just wrap my ptfe gaskets in ptfe tape. And they seal fine

[nerdybrewer]

The PTFE gasket I bought had the ridge on both sides so wouldn't work as-is for my keg to column connection.
I trimmed down one side to nearly flat then sanded with 320 grit until smooth.
It seals great.

[carbohydratesn]

I just wrap my ptfe gaskets in ptfe tape

For any particular reason...? PTFE gaskets are PTFE, just like the tape, they don't need to be wrapped.

[bearriver]

Home brewers use silicone all the time, and use distillation online stores to buy certain parts. It's resistant enough in that application to be considered safe to use.

Why do they sell it in still equipment? I don't know. You could ask them through a E-mail if you wanted to. The issue with synthetics are from the data (or lack thereof) existing on chemical resistance to the vapors produced during distillation, and in their varying concentrations. This poses the potential for chemicals from the gasket to start leeching unwanted material into your distillate.

Taking every part of rule #8 too literally would make PVC liebig jackets, PTFE still gaskets, and plastic submersible pumps for recirc cooling all against the rules. Despite the fact they are considered perfectly safe to use. I've seen people use silicone gaskets below the boiler charge for heating element ports, and that goes unnoticed because it's not in the vapor path. It's what, how, and where you choose certain material in a stills construction before it attracts unwanted attention.

You can get a PTFE gasket for just about anything real cheap on fleaBay. I use them.

[Hound Dog]

I ran trial camps for the first time on my rebuild yesterday for cleaning runs. I found that the PTFE gaskets worked just fine with my stainless grooved ferrules. I have not tried them on a home made ez flange. I would imagine sealing difficulties would arise with an uneven poorly made flange or an unevenly sanded gasket. You just have to make sure your tolerances are tight.

[youngonce]

I use flour and water - put it on as soon as you start your heating - by the time there is flow it has hardened..

[Danespirit]

I use flour and water - put it on as soon as you start your heating - by the time there is flow it has hardened..

While flour paste is indeed one of the best ways to seal, it has it's limitations at places where it's just unpractical to use.
I use it myself instead of a gasket to my lid.
Never the less i rely on PTFE gaskets for all my ferrules or PTFE tape for the screwed joints.
I never have, nor will i ever use any silicone gaskets in my still.
And if the brewshop writes a thousand times "Suited for alcohol", well..they don't have to drink the stuff coming off the still, right?

[ben stiller]

I just wrap my ptfe gaskets in ptfe tape

For any particular reason...? PTFE gaskets are PTFE, just like the tape, they don't need to be wrapped.

There have been instances where members reported that they had leaks with the hard ptfe gaskets. These gaskets are
rigid and don't conform to irregular surfaces well. I think the idea he was getting at was the ptfe tape is soft and much
more tolerant of less than perfect joints. Definitely can't hurt to give em a few wraps.

[carbohydratesn]

Ah, that would make sense! Guess I'm just lucky then. It couldn't hurt.

[Texpert]

i Spoke to someone at Hillbilly stills the other day inquiring about a 100 gl copper still. I asked about the seals and he said they use an alcohol grade silicone gasket. He said it does need to be replaced often but it is good. On our old copper still we used flour paste, so i know i could always do that.

[carbohydratesn]

Well that's troubling...if it needs to be replaced often, they're definitely aware it's breaking down into their alcohol.

I wonder why they don't think that's a problem.

[RandyMarshCT]

They don't need to be replaced often. I've used 100% silicone gaskets for years and they still work just as well as when they were brand new. If they need to be replaced, the tri-clamps are most likely being cranked down far too tight and they are mechanically destroying the gasket.

Disclaimer: I'm not advocating the use of any "prohibited" materials, merely adding my experience with said materials.

[Diesel410]

I just wrap my ptfe gaskets in ptfe tape

For any particular reason...? PTFE gaskets are PTFE, just like the tape, they don't need to be wrapped.

There have been instances where members reported that they had leaks with the hard ptfe gaskets. These gaskets are
rigid and don't conform to irregular surfaces well. I think the idea he was getting at was the ptfe tape is soft and much
more tolerant of less than perfect joints. Definitely can't hurt to give em a few wraps.

Yes I wrap mine because of the rings on them for ferrul connection. And since my keg is flat when I wrap mulite times it works.

[carbohydratesn]

You can shave that ring off with a razor blade, making one side of the gasket flat. It makes a perfect connection that way.

[Diesel410]

You can shave that ring off with a razor blade, making one side of the gasket flat. It makes a perfect connection that way.

I haven't had any issues how I've been running. Also I am have a ferrule put on my boiler next week

[MDH]

They don't need to be replaced often. I've used 100% silicone gaskets for years and they still work just as well as when they were brand new. If they need to be replaced, the tri-clamps are most likely being cranked down far too tight and they are mechanically destroying the gasket.

Disclaimer: I'm not advocating the use of any "prohibited" materials, merely adding my experience with said materials.

I have recently had issues with silicone gaskets from my very first still, the Brewhaus Essential Extractor II. There was a very strange, nondescript chemical smell throughout every single run. We haven't had this with our copper setup.

It makes me wonder why there is not stronger wording here about produtcs from Brewhaus or Milehi. Instead, we have some members praising Brewhaus and others condemning plastic, making it rather confusing.

[bearriver]

I used a TC silicone gasket starting out. It changed colors after about 9 months from white opaque to the color of a peach. I tossed it. Been using PTFE ever since, and yes they are more prone to leaking. One difference is that PTFE TC gaskets are rigid and silicone is not. Silicone makes a seal with much less pressure.

The very first PTFE gasket I bought also was for my first still, and it looks brand new... Unlike everything else.

[Danespirit]

I have recently had issues with silicone gaskets from my very first still, the Brewhaus Essential Extractor II. There was a very strange, nondescript chemical smell throughout every single run. We haven't had this with our copper setup.

It makes me wonder why there is not stronger wording here about produtcs from Brewhaus or Milehi. Instead, we have some members praising Brewhaus and others condemning plastic, making it rather confusing.

Without hanging one of them out at display, my take on it would be..costs.
Should the ferrule warp a bit from welding, it is time consuming to polish it of with high grid emery cloth to get it flush again.
A silicone gasket is more forgiving about any irregulations and seals well, a PTFE requires the surfaces to be flush or it won't seal properly.
Bought in bigger quantities silicone gaskets are very cheap.
I have even seen stills delivered with a rubber bung in the top to seal the column..cheap and easy!
I won't mention any names here, but like plastic..rubber belongs NO where in the vaporpath in a still..!!
So it seems like even the brand names now and then don't give a shit about safety for the endconsumer..!

[RandyMarshCT]

They don't need to be replaced often. I've used 100% silicone gaskets for years and they still work just as well as when they were brand new. If they need to be replaced, the tri-clamps are most likely being cranked down far too tight and they are mechanically destroying the gasket.

Disclaimer: I'm not advocating the use of any "prohibited" materials, merely adding my experience with said materials.

I have recently had issues with silicone gaskets from my very first still, the Brewhaus Essential Extractor II. There was a very strange, nondescript chemical smell throughout every single run. We haven't had this with our copper setup.

It makes me wonder why there is not stronger wording here about produtcs from Brewhaus or Milehi. Instead, we have some members praising Brewhaus and others condemning plastic, making it rather confusing.

I've never had this problem, myself. I use all silicone gaskets on my plate column from HBS now, due to the leakage problems I've had with PTFE. I've also never had a problem with any of the items I purchased from Mile-Hi or Brewhaus. I'm not saying your problems aren't due to their products, I just feel that people only speak up about a company's products when they have a complaint. When this is the case, I feel that it's worth mentioning positive experiences as well. The overwhelming negativity regarding commercial stills on HD is what makes me feel this way.

Do you know that this chemical smell is due to the gaskets? If it is, I'd sure like to know. I'd like to send some samples to a chem lab to be tested for silicone content and know for absolute certain. I'm the type of person who likes to know exactly what's happening with my processes... I refuse to accept, "well, we think it's bad so just don't do it" as a response. I want exact scientific data, at least to the detectable thresholds.

Again, I am in no way advocating the use of these materials for anyone else. I only advocate doing full and thorough research on everything and making educated decisions based on thorough analysis. I don't take anyone's word on anything... I prefer to research it myself. I would offer to perform these tests myself and share the results, but I don't want to anger the administrators of this site or break any of the rules. The rules are there for a reason and I respect and honor these rules to the best of my ability. However, it would be great to see this experiment through and post the results. I feel it would help the community immensely to say something along the lines of, "We subjected silicone gaskets from sources A, B, C, and D to azeotrope ethanol at X degrees F for T amount of time. Upon chemical analysis, we found there to be the following detected contaminants at the listed levels." That would be rock solid evidence to post as a sticky so anyone asking in the future could be referred to the post. Don't do it, case closed, or other (depending on results).

[Brutal]

I'd like to see the results of that too RM. It does worry me with the large about of things like this coming out of China is that all the silicone might not be the same though. For the result to mean something it would have to be from testing on a product from a known, repeatable, source.

[MDH]

I know this much, Randy - the still is the issue.