Heating elements - teflon tape vs. food grade silicone

dunleav1 · Joined: 22 Mar 2013 Posts: 45

I replaced my elements today.
I did something a little different when reassembling them and wanted to get a few opinions on whether they will hold up.

My kettles have a tri-clamp fitting on them. My elements fit though an electric junction box and then are screwed into a tri-clamp fitting. Then the element tri-clamp fitting is attached to the kettle tai-clamp fitting.

When I built the original, I had teflon tape on the element threads and I didn't use silicone. It didn't leak, but I could see teflon tape on the inside of the kettle where the element screwed through the tri-clamp fitting.

This time I used the food grade silicone on the threads and the inside of the junction box.
I filled the kettles and let them sit for 4 days full of water, and no leaks. I then boiled for 30 minutes and let the water cool - still no leaks.

Has anyone used just the silicone installation procedure and does it hold up over time like the teflon?

Thanks,
JD

**kal** · Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2017 12:00 pm Post subject:

I'd stick with the tape over silicone. Teflon tape is meant for this sort of purpose and will hold up properly.

Kal

dunleav1 · Joined: 22 Mar 2013 Posts: 45

Thanks kal. Looks like I'm taking everything apart again. Smile

Tungsten · Joined: 06 Dec 2014 Posts: 318 Location: Buffalo, NY

Late to the party, but...

Why do you need tape at all? I don't believe Kal's instructions include any, and elements should be NPS (S = straight) not NPT (T = tapered), meaning no tape should be required. This is the same way the Blichmann Brewmometers, flare fittings on ball lock quick disconnects, and sanke couplers work - NO tape.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think you'll hurt anything, I just am not sure why this would be needed. I assume you're using a silicon o-ring at the base of the element threads anyway, which would (should?) prevent any potential leaks. Even the black stock o-ring that comes on most elements would probably work for that purpose.