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Heating element gaskets
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:46 am
by ginfitz
Hi,
I have a 13 gal milk can boiler with two 1500W 120V heating elements. The heating elements which are screwed into 1" female NPT couplings have black gaskets. I have no idea what they are made of since I bought them 11 years ago which is how long I've been out of the hobby. So I'd like to replace the gaskets, redo the wiring and start distilling again. What do you recommend and where can I buy them? Thanks
Re: Heating element gaskets
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 7:01 am
by HomerD
I put a lot of thread tape on my element and I don’t need to use a gasket on mine. The threads seal and don’t leak with the thread tape.
Homer
Re: Heating element gaskets
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 7:04 am
by StillerBoy
ginfitz wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:46 am
The heating elements which are screwed into 1" female NPT couplings have black gaskets.
If the coupling is a true NPT, then you done need the gasket..
Element thread are not the same as the coupling.. so wrap about a 10 -12 turns of teflon tape, and screw it back in tight.. that should do the job.. check for leaks by half filling the keg with water..
A note of caution.. I hope those wires connecting to the element are better protected dam what is shown in the pictures..
Mars
Re: Heating element gaskets
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 7:57 am
by Crabmanstyle
Like HomerD I put around 5 wraps of PTFE thread tape and it works just fine.
Re: Heating element gaskets
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 10:56 am
by ginfitz
Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.
Re: Heating element gaskets
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2020 2:16 pm
by cob
ginfitz wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:46 am
Hi,
I have a 13 gal milk can boiler with two 1500W 120V heating elements. The heating elements which are screwed into 1" female NPT couplings have black gaskets. I have no idea what they are made of since I bought them 11 years ago which is how long I've been out of the hobby. So I'd like to replace the gaskets, redo the wiring and start distilling again. What do you recommend and where can I buy them? Thanks
though not necessary for an element in a boiler, PTFE O-rings are available in every size you could ever need.
Buy from an industrial o-ring supplier as opposed to flee bay or amazon because of sellers with little or no knowledge .
shop around because prices vary as much as several hundred percent.
BTW. all the above methods are good especially if your stubs are in fact NPT as opposed to NPS.