Leaky Presto, How to Fix

[jake_jimmylegs]

We won't discuss why my seal is leaking while stillin' but I'll show you how to fix a leaky Presto seal...

Disclaimer. NEVER operate your pressure canner or cooker in any manner not approved by the manufacturer!

Ok, pics first.

Pretty obvious, lift the safety plug thingy with a knife and hold it up with a needle nose pliers and use something like a wrench for extra weight if needed.

On MY Presto, immediately to the right of each handle there is a little bit of overlap of the POT flange, which you can engage with a small chunk of wood and clamp with a vice-grip.

Get me?

[NZChris]

Disclaimer. NEVER operate your pressure canner or cooker in any manner not approved by the manufacturer!

You've got that right, but you're doing exactly that. I very much doubt that the seal is kosher for use with the hot solvents that you can expect when distilling.

If you don't want to make the 6 o'clock news you should be very concerned about why you have pressure pushing vapor through a seal in a vessel designed to hold pressure, even more so when the charge is flammable. A pot that will pop the lid off at 1 psi, is a lot safer than a vessel designed to contain 15 psi and more.

This should have been posted in the What Not To Use/Do, area. https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=89

[jake_jimmylegs]

Well, if you study the seal, it is designed to seal under pressure, exactly what you don't want when stilling.
and that's all I got to say about that.
Except, when there's no pressure, they don't seal worth a S*it.
Get some rest, bud.

[Setsumi]

i will be positive. i have a pet hate for pressure cookers as stills. the reasons are in my neck of woods the volume is between 5 and 8 lt, the seals are rubber, the take offs are 6.3mm copper tubes and the opperators will tell you they make the best, better than store bought. they will gladley offer you an opaque 30% drop and then tell you straight that they do not need to make any cuts.

i am not describing your still or operation but my experience.

my suggestion would be to look for a beer keg, yes you will need to remove the spear and get a tri clamp... for wich you will make a copper gasket wrapped in teflon tape...

ok i am finished.