Getting a good seal... Washers & Gaskets

[Blue-Frog]

Got a couple of used Igloo mash tuns recetly with different fixtures ;
In general, the plumbing seemed a bit iffy and not standardized.

Assuming that a container’s wall will be saddled by gaskets and washers,
what is the best placement to insure a leak free life?

Washer – Gasket – WALL – Gasket – Washer
or
Gasket – Washer – WALL – Washer – Gasket

?

I have seen some examples where the gasket is used only on one side...
Is it a good idea to use a gasket on the outside as well as on the inside?

My natural lean is toward having the gasket in immediate liquid contact... how are your connections arranged?

 

[Roland_deschain]

Your gaskets should be against the wall of the cooler. The washers could leak without them. You aren't trying to keep the washers clean, rather keeping the liquid from finding a way out.

 

[JBone120]

In my set up, i have a gasket on both sides, right against the cooler wall. I would think that with a washer against the wall, your water/wort could get behind the washer and leak.

Of course, that would mean that the hole through the wall would need to not be too large for a gasket to effectively seal it.

 

[augiedoggy]

I reused the wedge style rubber gasket that my beverage cooler tap came with when I had my cooler MT..

 

[Blue-Frog]

The used Igloo mash tuns came with an insufficient number of gaskets
(actually, red o-rings from the 1/2 in. ball valve)...

Any thoughts on getting replacement gaskets?
Which is better, o-ring or flat gaskets?

As choices are limited where I am, I may have to cut some flat ones out of plumbing gasket material or baking silicone, but if I can get them, would you suggest o-rings or the flat gaskets?

Thanks -