weldless valves: silicone washer

[nbspindel]

I'm sure we've all seen Bobby_Ms weldless sightglasses (https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f41/sight-glass-thermometer-back-stock-164919/). He uses silicone washers instead of Orings, which seems like a better deal, and everyone else who's commented on his products seem to like them too. But for valves, the only thing offered (that I can find) still uses Orings. With that in mind, I thought I'd hunt down some silicone washers and see what the board thinks of the design.

My plan for my keggles (MLT, HLT, BK) is to use:
- the usual full port 1/2" ball valve, attached to
- a 1/2"xclose stainless nipple (http://www.plumbingsupply.com/stainles.html) going through the keg wall, attached to
- either a full 1/2" coupler or a half 1/2" coupler (http://www.plumbingsupply.com/stainles.html), depending on keggle use and inside attachments
- between the coupler, keg wall, and valve would be one (or more if necessary) silicone washer (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/4PAT4?Pid=search)

My concerns are:
1. other weldless setups seem to use a copper nut as well as the valve to secure to the keg. Is the valve alone enough? I don't see why not.
2. they also tend to have SS washers on both inside and outside of the fitting. Do you think that's necessary?
3. are there any issues with the red silicone washers? I can't find an MSDS on them, but assume they're food safe.

Any better suggestions, other than getting the parts welded?
Thanks, it's almost time to move to AG

 

[samc]

have you looked at http://www.greatbargain.net/order/index.html

seems like it's easier to buy it all from one vendor. many have used his weldless with excellent results.

 

[BargainFittings]

The setup I sell uses an FDA approved silicone o-ring and a stainless steel locknut with a groove to hold the o-ring. The metal washers should be used as shims to account for differences of thickness of kettle walls. A very heavy gauge kettle may not need a shim washer.

You can use a flat gasket with a weldless set but it will work better if you solder or weld the shim washer to the nipple to form a bulkhead. In that case you would not need a locknut.

The gasket you linked too is the wrong size. 1/2" NPT nipples are roughly 13/16" at the middle. You will need a 7/8" gasket. There is no way of knowing if that gasket is food grade without contacting the manufacturer or the vendor.

 

[Wan2brew]

Someone here suggested cutting the base from a baby bottle nipple and using that as a washer. I have done this on my cooler MLT to replace the o-ring and it works great. They are made of silicone and fit the 1/2" thread perfect.

 

[nbspindel]

have you looked at http://www.greatbargain.net/order/index.html

seems like it's easier to buy it all from one vendor. many have used his weldless with excellent results.

Those are still O-rings, which is what i'm trying to improve on with the washers.

Someone here suggested cutting the base from a baby bottle nipple and using that as a washer.

I wonder if these are good for high temps (boiling) for extended periods of time.

tks for the thoughts so far.

 

[springer]

Those are still O-rings, which is what i'm trying to improve on with the washers.



I wonder if these are good for high temps (boiling) for extended periods of time.

tks for the thoughts so far.

improvement? I have four from bargainfittings and not one leaked . O-rings work rather well when using the right nut.

Baby bottle nipples are 100% silicone and you sanitize them in boiling water repeatedly

 

[BadgerBrewer]

I use the weldless fittings from bargainfittings.com and have had zero issues with the silicone O-rings. I don't see the point in messing with it when it works perfectly the way it is. I think Bobby_M uses the washer type since the lock nut is smaller than on the ball valve set up.

 

[nbspindel]

Baby bottle nipples are 100% silicone and you sanitize them in boiling water repeatedly

makes sense, just aint got no babies around and rarely use them myself

Sounds like bargain fittings works well. His weldless kettle bulkhead with valve is near 50% of what other places charge. Not that I want to pay more, but can anyone comment as to the valve? Is this guy's overhead just that low?

 

[jpalarchio]

Sounds like bargain fittings works well. His weldless kettle bulkhead with valve is near 50% of what other places charge. Not that I want to pay more, but can anyone comment as to the valve? Is this guy's overhead just that low?

I have them, they're fine.

If you were looking for washers instead of o-rings, he has those as well (check out the "half inch gasket" under "parts").

I think the biggest mistake people (or at least I) probably make with weldless is that they overtighten.

The gasket really worked a lot better for me than the o-rings.