Milk Pail Lid sealing

[hillbilly_john]

Hi all, I bought one of the SS 10-gallon milk pails from Heritage. We actually bought 2, one for still and one for something else. Wasn't too happy with the ones they sent. Top was warped on one and the opening was out of round by about 1/2". I did ask them to pick out 2 good ones.

Anyway, got my valved reflux head done and started putting it to the test last night with water. No packing at all. Got a good head of steam coming out the condensor column and nowhere else. I covered the condensor column with a rubber hot-pan holder and an oven mit. Got steam blowing out around the milk can lid. I thought..ok..as long as the condensor column stays un-clogged, I should be ok. Ran the same test after dumping a bunch of rashik rings and got steam coming out the lid without having to hold the condensor column closed. I was surprised the RR's created such a barrier. So, figuring I was unsafe at that point, I'm looking for ideas to better the seal on the milk pail lid. Right now, I don't have any clamping on it and no seal other than the tight fitting nature of the lid.

So my plan is to build a clamping device of some sort, probably with some angle iron and c-clamps. I'll probably also try to cut a gasket for it too though I imagine this will be a bit tricky.

Any other ideas?
Expiring minds want to know!

jb

[TEC]

If I remember right, either Grayson or Golden Pond posted some pic's of a very nice milk can setup about 2 months ago. Maybe you can do a search for it.

Tom

[hillbilly_john]

I found that thread but it didn't address the actual milk pail lid seal. I have the still head attached to the milk pail lid with no leaks (yet). Mine are Firestone brand 10 gallon btw.

jb

[stoker]

I'm very optimistic about my new methode to fit the head to the boiler, but I haven't done it with a milk pail
I use three of this clamps (could use more)



and I seal it with flour past

works great and is very easy