Heatstick = awesome!

humann_brewing · Sep 4, 2014

So I built mine and was in a test using my induction burner and heatstick and the temps were rising well and then around 204 degrees my gfci tripped and would not come back on. I noticed that some of the silicone around the upper fittings past the chrome tube had come loose. I don't think this sealer is good with plastic is my guess, either way, what should I do?

Wait for it all to dry and reseal the top stuff with JB weld?

I used the DAP 100% slicone aquarium safe stuff, the MSDS says it is good for 400 degrees too.

http://www.dap.com/docs/tech/00000688001.pdf

pricelessbrewing · Sep 4, 2014

Maybe it didn't cure completely before you used it? I'd use jb weld, let it cure, test in water overnight after two days to make sure it's all sealed. Then do a test run for a bit and see if it turns on.

humann_brewing · Sep 4, 2014

pricelessbrewing said:
Maybe it didn't cure completely before you used it? I'd use jb weld, let it cure, test in water overnight after two days to make sure it's all sealed. Then do a test run for a bit and see if it turns on.

yeah, I think I'll do that but I did let the silicone cure for ~20 hours for each application in multiple layers.

Can I apply jbweld over this or do I have to scrap all of this off?

cjgenever · Sep 4, 2014

Anything above wort shouldn't even need anything more than the compression nut. Silicone is just extra insurance. My stick is all sealed chrome to the top of the kettle and pvc with compression nuts (no sealant) from there on.

There should be no pvc in your wort. If there is not then I suspect the leak is coming from elsewhere.

mthompson · Sep 6, 2014

I noticed that the teflon tape sorta melts after boiling. However, the rtv red gasket maker is still intact (even on the flat parts where silicone usually peels right off).

I am going to take mine apart and use the gasket maker on all of the threads and on top of all the compression rings.

nealm · Sep 6, 2014

Is it food safe?

Neal_M

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cjgenever · Sep 6, 2014

Permatex rtv is very non food safe.

mthompson · Sep 6, 2014

cjgenever said:
Permatex rtv is very non food safe.

You are very IN-correct...

Permatex red rtv is NSF/ANSI St. 51 certified. http://www.devcon.com/userfiles/file/mb-06_nsf_2011_high_rez.pdf

cjgenever · Sep 6, 2014

I stand corrected. I checked this stuff out when building my system but must have missed something. Thanks mthompson

mthompson · Sep 6, 2014

cjgenever said:
I stand corrected. I checked this stuff out when building my system but must have missed something. Thanks mthompson

No worries. I searched a while to find info when I was building mine.... They don't exactly advertise it as such.

I have lots of experience with aquarium silicone and it peels off everything. This rtv red doesn't even scrape off with a razor.

cjgenever · Sep 7, 2014

Yeah, that red rtv is good stuff. I keep that and the right stuff in my garage at all times.

thunderwagn · Oct 14, 2015

So glad I stumbled upon this great thread! I just read the entire thing and going to set out to gather the supplies required to build a heat stick or two.
My glass top stove struggles to bring 3-3.5 gallons to any type of decent boil and I want to start doing BIAB. Just this past weekend I was measuring boil off rates...which were truly pathetic for 3.5 gallons. Much less for 5 or more gallons. At 5 gallons, I can get a mild, mild roll with maybe a .5 gallon an hour boil off.
I do have a propane burner, but I have little to no desire to brew outside. Especially living in CO going into the winter months.
Heatsticks look like the perfect tool for me to supplement my glass stop stoves poor pathetic burners.

TexasWine · Oct 15, 2015

chunkwagon said:
So glad I stumbled upon this great thread! I just read the entire thing and going to set out to gather the supplies required to build a heat stick or two.
My glass top stove struggles to bring 3-3.5 gallons to any type of decent boil and I want to start doing BIAB. Just this past weekend I was measuring boil off rates...which were truly pathetic for 3.5 gallons. Much less for 5 or more gallons. At 5 gallons, I can get a mild, mild roll with maybe a .5 gallon an hour boil off.
I do have a propane burner, but I have little to no desire to brew outside. Especially living in CO going into the winter months.
Heatsticks look like the perfect tool for me to supplement my glass stop stoves poor pathetic burners.

Before you charge down the path of making one of these, I think you should look long and hard at a Hot Rod.

http://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/hotrod.htm

I own two and love them. They're professionally made. I'm not worried about electrocution. And they don't cost that much more than the homemade versions.

NathPowe · Oct 16, 2015

TexasWine said:
Before you charge down the path of making one of these, I think you should look long and hard at a Hot Rod.

http://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/hotrod.htm

I own two and love them. They're professionally made. I'm not worried about electrocution. And they don't cost that much more than the homemade versions.

Another vote for the Hot Rod. I also own two. I love DIY as much as the next guy, but the quality of these units is amazing. I've never priced out a similar build, but I don't think a guy could DIY something of the same quality for less money. Not trying to tell you your business or anything like that, just agreeing with TexasWine that you might want to take a look at them.

Cheers and good luck with the project.

djt17 · Oct 16, 2015

I made 2, (i'm cheap), they both ended up leaking. Bought the Hot Rod; wished I wouldn't have wasted my time & money building 2.

Pickngrin · Oct 16, 2015

I haven't been on HBT in a long time. I'm glad that I received the email notification of new posts to this thread -- I never heard of the HotRod sticks before and am going to order one! I had been planning on building a third heatstick but that seems to be the way to go.

thunderwagn · Oct 19, 2015

TexasWine said:
Before you charge down the path of making one of these, I think you should look long and hard at a Hot Rod.

http://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/hotrod.htm

I own two and love them. They're professionally made. I'm not worried about electrocution. And they don't cost that much more than the homemade versions.

Thanks for the heads up man. Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed and would much rather build my own. But just looking at the quality and cost of the Hot Rod...why would I bother? I love breaking out my man skills, but I can't compete with that. :mug:

Heatstick = awesome!

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