How can I ensure my ball valve is set and maintained properly?

[Finlandbrews]

Hi, I have 2 issues, my ball valve was leaking during yesterday batch. I have put some Teflon tape between the pick up tube and ball valve, there is also a soft o-ring inside and a hard one outside (might be unnecessary though...). See pictures. What can I do, remove one of these rings?

Also do I need to have Teflon tape to my fitting on the ball valve see third picture?

Finally, how can I see rust on my bearings already although I have used this kettle 2 times only, what can I do to treat it best?

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[aangel]

You need teflon tape or a gasket/o-ring between every connection that touches water. For threaded connectors, yep go with teflon tape. For your valve to pot connection - if your setup works, keep using it. With regards to the rusting, don't worry, but if you really want to, use some barkeeper's friend.

 

[Finlandbrews]

Aangel thanks for the feedback! The most problematic in my setup is that when I put this soft red o-ring inside my kettle and the hard white o-ring outside the kettle between my ball valve and my kettle it becomes very hard screw the ball valve with the bearing inside the kettle. My ball valve is a bit loose sideways. I have to hold it when I open the valve otherwise there is some lateral movements which I believe should not happen. Should I remove the outside hard plastic o-ring?

 

[Gavin C]

Hi, I have 2 issues, my ball valve was leaking during yesterday batch. I have put some Teflon tape between the pick up tube and ball valve, there is also a soft o-ring inside and a hard one outside (might be unnecessary though...). See pictures. What can I do, remove one of these rings?

Also do I need to have Teflon tape to my fitting on the ball valve see third picture?

You need a metal washer on the inside of the pot to press the rubber gasket evenly against the pot. That nut won't create a seal with that gasket.

This will give an excellent watertight seal.

Teflon tape on all threaded fittings otherwise you will gall the threads and destroy your fittings. They will also leak without the teflon.

Stainless steel fittings wont rust. if you have had a leaking pot, wort will have seaped into the threads perhaps. Heating it will leave it hard brown and rust-like. Should clean right off.

I see spots on your kettle that are consistent with inadequately passivated metal. That can be fixed with bar keeper's friend i believe. (never had to address that myself so not sure on that)

 

[Finlandbrews]

Hi Gavin, thankful and glad to hear your tip!! Do you mean I would need this metal piece (see attached) on the inside and against the pot? I believe then that I cant keep the o-ring inside otherwise it will be impossible almost to screw the ball valve to the nut. What about getting a flat wash plastic instead as in this picture?

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[PeteNMA]

You shouldn't need anything more than what was supplied with that kettle. I've also got an SS Brewtech kettle and it seals up just fine with the provided hardware.

If it's not leak-tight, tighten the fitting further. Make sure you have teflon tape on all your threads, and do a leak test with cold water.

 

[Finlandbrews]

For some reason I spotted that the person who has the blog bierkast.com has the hard white o-ring on the inside of his kettle while I have it on the outside, could that be the problem?

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[PeteNMA]

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Similarly mine is on the inside, which I believe is what the instructions dictate.

 

[Gavin C]

Just follow the kettle makers instructions.

Here they are

The white firm gasket against the nut looks and sounds right. The soft silicone gasket as you have it setup is definitely not right. No way it's going to seal that way.

 

[Finlandbrews]

Ok great, that might be the issue here... Thanks!

 

[Sconnie12]

Wait what are o-rings!?

Welded fittings for the win!!

 

[Finlandbrews]

Just follow the kettle makers instructions.

Here they are

The white firm gasket against the nut looks and sounds right. The soft silicone gasket as you have it setup is definitely not right. No way it's going to seal that way.

Thanks a million Gavin!!!!!

 

[Gavin C]

Thanks a million Gavin!!!!!

No worries mate.

Hope the changes solve your issue. I suspect they will.

 

[Finlandbrews]

No worries mate.

Hope the changes solve your issue. I suspect they will.

All fixed now! Thanks again!