Home Distiller

I know that using any plastic is frowned upon here, and I'm OK with that. I'm not trying to challenge anybody - just getting clarification.

I am sealing the Sanke connection between the keg and the column (2" Boka). I've read "don't use plastic or synthetics" many times, but I've also seen plenty of posts on wrapping cardboard or cork with PTFE (teflon) tape. I have searched the board for silicone and am not coming up with a good answer.

I saw this item : http://www.brewershardware.com/F1GASSIL.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
It's a 2" flanged on one side (for the tri-clamp fitting) and flat (for the keg) on the other side. I was ordering a few things from Brewer's Hardware, and got one. When I asked, they guy on the phone said something about "a lot of distillers use those".

Anyway, is silicone a bad idea?

Thanks

There's other forums that accept silicone gaskets, with the limited surface exposure that a gasket has, the contamination would be minimum. This site accepts only teflon and that's what I do. The keg to column seal I do with a little flour paste and that works well.

heartcut wrote:There's other forums that accept silicone gaskets, with the limited surface exposure that a gasket has, the contamination would be minimum. This site accepts only teflon and that's what I do. The keg to column seal I do with a little flour paste and that works well.

there are other forums?

heartcut wrote:There's other forums that accept silicone gaskets, with the limited surface exposure that a gasket has, the contamination would be minimum. This site accepts only teflon and that's what I do. The keg to column seal I do with a little flour paste and that works well.

Thanks for the answer. Do I just mix a stiff batch of flour & water, and trowel it on like drywall mud?

or this
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=24199

Or you can buy a PTFE gasket and shave one side down so it's flat. Just takes a few minutes with a razor blade.

heartcut wrote:There's other forums that accept silicone gaskets, with the limited surface exposure that a gasket has, the contamination would be minimum. This site accepts only teflon and that's what I do. The keg to column seal I do with a little flour paste and that works well.

+1 PTFE is all I use.

Can one just wrap a silicone gasket with PTFE tape? Similar to Sam's everlasting gasket, but just using existing silicone versus cardboard.

If you haven't ordered it yet why not just order a PTFE one and not worry about wrapping it? You can order a PTFE one from McMaster Carr for very cheap or many of the still selling sites also carry them.

It sounds as if you are really intent on using silicone.

No, not intent at all, was just curious in the off chance I happen upon one whether or not the consesus is it can be used if wrapped by PTFE. If I'm knowingly buying a gasket, I fully intend on it not being silicone

From personal experience, a single piece of cooked spaghetti set into the groove has been known to work well if it only needs to impede vapor and not fill a gap...

I'll get a PTFE gasket next time I am ordering things, but I'll have to try a piece of spaghetti as well.