Home Distiller

Deerhunter wrote: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?

Swag wrote:I wrote to Dow Chemical about the compatibility of silicon and alcohol. They said it was highly resistant to alcohol, but provided no lab test results. They also mentioned that their sealers were considered food grade by the FDA. I'm not recommending or condemning, just passing along some info.

Cheers

neil wrote:After reading this topic I started looking for some PTFE gaskets. But found none that fit my still. So I went to a chemical transport company that uses a lot of those gaskets. Although it seemed there were no gaskets that fit perfectly, I got two sheets of PTFE and one solid round gasket with no holes in it. I’m thinking about cutting it up to make it fit. It’s about 1mm thick and pretty sturdy. Should I place it on the flange and then cut away what I don’t need? Or draw the old gasket onto the sheet and cut it out and drill holes in it afterwards?

Don’t exactly know how sensitive the PTFE is. I would not want to create a leak by cutting it wrong.

neil wrote:After reading this topic I started looking for some PTFE gaskets. But found none that fit my still. So I went to a chemical transport company that uses a lot of those gaskets. Although it seemed there were no gaskets that fit perfectly, I got two sheets of PTFE and one solid round gasket with no holes in it. I’m thinking about cutting it up to make it fit. It’s about 1mm thick and pretty sturdy. Should I place it on the flange and then cut away what I don’t need? Or draw the old gasket onto the sheet and cut it out and drill holes in it afterwards?

Don’t exactly know how sensitive the PTFE is. I would not want to create a leak by cutting it wrong.

goldfishcf wrote: 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.

jimmayhugh wrote:

goldfishcf wrote: 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.

Take a look here

GCB3 wrote:
My issue is I haven’t found a good replacement for the boiler lid silicone seal. I am one of those folks who thinks Brewhaus makes a high quality product and responds immediately to any problems. That said, I am surprised at these material decisions. Several folks report wrapping the silicone in PTFE tape, which will be my next step. Has anyone found a suitable PTFE replacement for the Brewhaus boiler top seals?
Thanks

RandyMarshCT wrote: ↑Fri May 01, 2015 7:12 am

MDH wrote:

RandyMarshCT wrote: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).

luva69r wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:14 pm Has anyone used these?Screenshot (5).png
They are a 50/50 blend of Teflon and stainless steel.

Expat wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:47 pm

luva69r wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:14 pm Has anyone used these?Screenshot (5).png
They are a 50/50 blend of Teflon and stainless steel.

I wouldn't expect so. They're designed for extreme temp applications which would be unnecessary for a still.

luva69r wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:50 pm...I was asking as their composition is ideal for a still. More flex than Teflon alone + stainless. Plus they expand and contract with temperature changes which PTFE gaskets don't...

still_stirrin wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 5:10 pm

luva69r wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:50 pm...I was asking as their composition is ideal for a still. More flex than Teflon alone + stainless. Plus they expand and contract with temperature changes which PTFE gaskets don't...

I’ve never had a problem with PTFE gaskets leaking on tri-clover joints and I’m still using the first 2 gaskets I bought.

So, I don’t ever see the need for a steel/teflon gasket...too much worrying about a non-issue.
ss

luva69r wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:50 pm Screenshot (6).png

Expat wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:47 pm

luva69r wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:14 pm Has anyone used these?Screenshot (5).png
They are a 50/50 blend of Teflon and stainless steel.

I wouldn't expect so. They're designed for extreme temp applications which would be unnecessary for a still.

I was asking as their composition is ideal for a still. More flex than Teflon alone + stainless. Plus they expand and contract with temperature changes which PTFE gaskets don't.

NZChris wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:26 pm look up PTFE gaskets with Viton or EPDM cores.

Avo wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:32 am

luva69r wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:50 pm Screenshot (6).png

Expat wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:47 pm

luva69r wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:14 pm Has anyone used these?Screenshot (5).png
They are a 50/50 blend of Teflon and stainless steel.

I wouldn't expect so. They're designed for extreme temp applications which would be unnecessary for a still.

I was asking as their composition is ideal for a still. More flex than Teflon alone + stainless. Plus they expand and contract with temperature changes which PTFE gaskets don't.

Hi Luva69r,

I think you might have something here - PTFE with the flex of stainless steel sounds perfect. As far as use for 'extreme temp applications' that is a bonus, and no drawback if using for a still. I shall be seriously looking into this myself. They may be expensive; so what, they would be an extremely worthwhile investment. I would think their composition would make them last almost indefinately. Thanks for finding this, I just hope they can be easily available for use with our hobby. Well done.

AVO

luva69r wrote: ↑Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:50 pm I was asking as their composition is ideal for a still. More flex than Teflon alone + stainless. Plus they expand and contract with temperature changes which PTFE gaskets don't.

Expat wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 3:56 am

Avo wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:32 am
AVO

You're trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist. Standard PTFE gaskets make a perfect seal, when used properly, and last forever.... As designed. Fancy gaskets are just adding more cost and needlessly complicating a very simple situation.

ttocs wrote: ↑Tue Apr 21, 2020 5:57 am Leaks with ptfe gaskets usually happen on welded ferrules as they slightly warp. One should always take a sanding block and hone down the surface flat again. Use marking blue so you know when you have it flat again.