Silicone and HLT... Do or don't

I had JB welded my quick disconnect to the outside of my aluminum electric hot liquor tank. On my last boil I found the HLT sitting in a large puddle. Not a nice thought when it is electric....

I quickly took my Dremel to it and removed the disconnect. Went down to the brass and fitting shop, and bought a 1/4in brass bulkhead connector. I fastened it on with rubber gasket and O-ring on the inside. and rubber gasket, lock washer, and nut on the outside. Then connected a 1/4in ball valve.

When filling with water I still get a small drip however.

I am worried that the constant connecting/disconnecting I have done with the hole, has left it too warped for the O-ring to give it a proper seal. The metal is no longer entirely straight.

I am thinking, since the leak is small, to seal the outside only with silicone. The silicone is rated to 400F, but has no food safety certification. Basic silicone from Home Depot.

My thoughts are that since it will only be on the outside it should be OK.

Am I off my rocker.

If this is a bad idea, does anyone have a better one?

what about some food grade sealant like GE's Silicone II.?I think it is safe once it dries but someone else may want to chime in
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I think that is what I have it is Silicone II anyway. Not sure if it is GE. But it doesn't say food safe on it.

The bigger question though is whether it even matters, as the sealant will only be on the outside of the tank. There theoretically could be a small bit of sealant that might be able to leach in some how, but not sure. there.

I have the element attached with JB Weld, but was under the impression that JB weld is food safe.

So I checked and what I have is GE Silicone II. There is a disclaimer below the instructions for use that states:

NOT FOR: Surfaces that will exceed 400F, conditions where FDA compliance is necessary, or aquariums. Suitable for in-home use only.

Click to expand...

So does anyone know if there is anything in there that will volitolize to the point of seeping in through any small crack it might be filling, or should I be alright since is is going to be on the outside?

Anyone use this stuff successfully for and HLT or an MLT?

slouch said:

I fastened it on with rubber gasket and O-ring on the inside. and rubber gasket, lock washer, and nut on the outside. Then connected a 1/4in ball valve.

I am worried that the constant connecting/disconnecting I have done with the hole, has left it too warped for the O-ring to give it a proper seal. The metal is no longer entirely straight.

Click to expand...

Take some oversized washers on both sides and a thru bolt and a nut - tighten it down... flat hole again. But I think you have too many gaskets trying to make the seal and can't get it tightened properly.

That is a great idea on the washers to straighten out the hole.

As for the gaskets, would you take away the one on the outside? drop to only a gasket or O-ring on inside? Both?

Please describe exactly what parts you're using to make the bulkhead. It does sound like too many gaskets.

It is a 1/4in brass bulkhead. On the inside I have an O-ring next to the wall, and a rubber hose gasket between the O-ring and the bulkhead. The outside has a rubber hose gasket next to the wall, then a lock washer, then the nut.

OK. So I straightened the hole out using the washer technique. There is still a leak, but i think it is because there might be a small crack in the metal....

If this is the case is there anyway to repair it?

aquarium silicone is FDA compliant when it's dried and washed properly.

also, don't over tighten!

tkone said:

aquarium silicone is FDA compliant when it's dried and washed properly.

also, don't over tighten!

Click to expand...

Great thanks for the tip on the aquarium silicone.

I don't think i over tightened. It is tight, but I could tighten even more. The rubber on the inside does not look deformed, and the leak seems to be coming from a crease in the metal about 3 mil from the edge of the external washer.

I will try to get some aquarium silicone and see if that helps.

+1 on aquarium sealant. A lot of caulks are mildew resistant and that stuff is probably poisonous. I looked at a GE Silicone II MSDS a few years back and decided it wasn't good for contact with food.

as long as it is 100% silicone it is safe to use!

I found an aquarium supply. Picked up a tube, and have applied it to the aluminum. I put it from the edge of the hole to about .5 inches radius extension from the hole.

I was able to inspect better, and found that there is a small crack.

It takes 48 hours to cure, so.... waiting now.