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New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:00 pm
by PalCabral
Hello.
I have just washed and filled my new milk can boiler from Oakstills with water to check it for leaks. I found several small leaks from where top part of the milk can is soldered to the main body. Tiny driplets are forming in several places and dropping down. Is this normal (to be expected) or something I should complain about? It’s new.
I have no clue how to solder stuff but is there something I can do myself to fix it, besides plastering the spots where it leaks with flour paste?
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:08 pm
by Salt Must Flow
PalCabral wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:00 pm
Hello.
I have just washed and filled my new milk can boiler from Oakstills with water to check it for leaks. I found several small leaks from where top part of the milk can is soldered to the main body. Tiny driplets are forming in several places and dropping down. Is this normal (to be expected) or something I should complain about? It’s new.
I have no clue how to solder stuff but is there something I can do myself to fix it, besides plastering the spots where it leaks with flour paste?
In this recent topic someone ordered an onion from Oak Stills and it arrived with a dent. They contacted Oak Stills and they are supposedly sending him another onion without the need of the original onion being returned to them. It is possible that they would replace the boiler without you needing to return it too. I imagine Oak Stills would like to see clear photos that show the nature of the problem before they would make any decisions. That would only be reasonable request.
If I had two boilers for the price of one, one with leaks, I would feel like it's an opportunity to learn how to solder. It's really not difficult. If you can find a local guy who TIG welds, he could fix those spots with some quick spot welds too.
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:21 pm
by PalCabral
Salt Must Flow wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:08 pm
In this recent topic[/url] someone ordered an onion from Oak Stills and it arrived with a dent. They contacted Oak Stills and they are supposedly sending him another onion without the need of the original onion being returned to them. It is possible that they would replace the boiler without you needing to return it too. I imagine Oak Stills would like to see clear photos that show the nature of the problem before they would make any decisions. That would only be reasonable request.
If I had two boilers for the price of one, one with leaks, I would feel like it's an opportunity to learn how to solder. It's really not difficult. If you can find a local guy who TIG welds, he could fix those spots with some quick spot welds too.
Thanks for reminding me of this thread - I remember it well. I will indeed follow your advise.
About the welding, not so sure. But you are right, it's an opportunity to learn. What does TIG stand for?
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:28 pm
by SW_Shiner
TIG stands for tungsten inert gas. It is the most common form of welding used on stainless steel.
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:36 pm
by Salt Must Flow
PalCabral wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:21 pm
Salt Must Flow wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:08 pm
In this recent topic[/url] someone ordered an onion from Oak Stills and it arrived with a dent. They contacted Oak Stills and they are supposedly sending him another onion without the need of the original onion being returned to them. It is possible that they would replace the boiler without you needing to return it too. I imagine Oak Stills would like to see clear photos that show the nature of the problem before they would make any decisions. That would only be reasonable request.
If I had two boilers for the price of one, one with leaks, I would feel like it's an opportunity to learn how to solder. It's really not difficult. If you can find a local guy who TIG welds, he could fix those spots with some quick spot welds too.
Thanks for reminding me of this thread - I remember it well. I will indeed follow your advise.
About the welding, not so sure. But you are right, it's an opportunity to learn. What does TIG stand for?
Tungsten Inert Gas.
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:56 pm
by OtisT
PalCabral wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:00 pm
Hello.
Tiny driplets are forming in several places and dropping down. Is this normal (to be expected) or something I should complain about? It’s new.
No, that is not normal. Your boiler should not leak anywhere and it should be fixed. I would call the company and work something out to have it fixed or replaced.
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 1:24 pm
by PalCabral
Thanks guys. I have already sent a mail to the supplier to get it replaced.
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 3:12 pm
by Yummyrum
Totally agree with Otis , you definitely don’t want any leaks . Depending on what you hang on it , they could get worse with time .
Out of curiosity , can you post some pics here .
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 4:15 pm
by Copperhead road
Leaks are a SAFETY RISK with alcohol vapour especially when running gas boiler!
I would send it back to them for a replacement, I assume it’s new ???
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 4:47 pm
by quadra
I would like to see pictures as well if you can post some? Is it continuously forming new droplets, or could pockets of water from washing been trapped in small voids along the joint line? I would grab a small mirror and light and have a good look at the seam on the inside of the jug as it may have been soldered there for cosmetic finish on the outside, and if the full overlap was not completely soldered there could be a simpler explanation... ( hopefully.. ) you could also invert the jug and dry it thoroughly along the joint line with a heat gun to drive out any moisture that might be trapped.
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 5:11 pm
by shadylane
PalCabral wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:00 pm
I have just washed and filled my new milk can boiler from Oakstills with water to check it for leaks. I found several small leaks from where top part of the milk can is soldered to the main body. Tiny driplets are forming in several places and dropping down. Is this normal (to be expected) or something I should complain about? It’s new.
It's not normal to have leaks.
Make sure it's actually leaking, since there's several places, possibly it could be condensation due to high humidity and cold water in the boiler.
Contact the seller, show them the problem and hope they make it right.
What ever the outcome, let us know.
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2025 2:39 am
by PalCabral
All.
Some feedback on this topic. Contacted Peter at Oakstills and we agreed they will send me a new boiler. They listened to my complaint, I shared photos of course, and they proposed to replace it themselves. As far as I know, they are not requesting me to send the old one back.
Oakstills Customer Services impress me, there was no problem or issue with my complaint (as it shouldn't). Thank you all for your concerns, questions and feedback.
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 12:41 pm
by PalCabral
New boiler works like a charm (so far).
Happy Pal.
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 4:50 pm
by kiwi Bruce
OtisT wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:56 pm
PalCabral wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 12:00 pm
Hello.
Tiny driplets are forming in several places and dropping down. Is this normal (to be expected) or something I should complain about? It’s new.
No, that is not normal. Your boiler should not leak anywhere and it should be fixed. I would call the company and work something out to have it fixed or replaced.
Ditto that Otis.
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 8:15 pm
by Copperhead road
Glad the supplier did the right thing and new Boiler is tip top
Re: New boiler with tiny leaks (driplets)
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 3:40 am
by bilgriss
I'm always glad to hear a story where a supplier stands behind their product.