This has come up before, and I was curious if anyone could explain how they applied the sealant more clearly. Did you just pull out your element and spread the sealant onto the silver metal base and allow it to dry? Or did you apply sealant to just the face of the element base while it was installed?
I'd like to coat mine before I install them to cut rusting off at the pass... =D
I even tried a magnesium cathode but still got rest. I think my issue is due to the water drops remaining after the pot is empty (no more connection with the cathode for the parts that rust). Short of getting an all stainless element, I too reccomend silicone around the base.
So what's the best silicone everyone's using?
Just picked this stuff up at HomeDepot for 5 dollars. It explicitly says food safe (once it cures) on the package, so I'm going to go for it.
Let us know how it works. Right now I'm draining & wiping out my RIMS tube after every brew.
FYI Gentlemen, I applied this stuff to the boil kettle when I installed the element and so far no rust. It smells utterly terrible when you apply it, so that kind of turned me off to the stuff a bit, but fortunately, once cured it has no noticeable smell at all. It is a bit tricky to apply it over the entire element base when installed, but I used a wooden skewer to spread it in the nooks and crannies and it seems to be fine. I've only fired the element and drained once since application, but no issues so far.
More testing to come as I continue to use the kettle.
Did you taste or smell the water after you fired it?
I use one of these Magnesium anodes from Camco.
Haven't done a taste test. Assumed once it cured it was good to go as the scent is no longer present at all. I'll have to fill the pot up and give it a boil, let it cool and see if the sealant imparted any taste. I'm guessing it has not based on the food-safe markings.
I give them a light spray of Pam Olive Oil then wipe clean prior to next use. No rust.
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I give them a light spray of Pam Olive Oil then wipe clean prior to next use. No rust.
I too have been having pretty good luck with wiping the base down with a bit of Olive oil after cleaning.
Any low wattage 240V element? I am looking for one around 2000 watts that runs on 240V for a RIMS tube.
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