Steam Heat in the Rubbermaid MLT

[jim4065]

I know that there's a thread on this someplace 'cause I read about it here. Can't find it searching for "Steam Injection" or "Direct Steam Heat" - or I'm finding it, but don't recognize it. The only thread that looks close has some 80 odd pages. Can anyone provide a link? I've got a big old pressure cooker and can make the copper injection tube OK, but connecting the two seems to call for some high-temp flexible tubing - and I can't seem to find any. Google isn't any help - perhaps because I'm not imaginative enough to enter the right terms............

 

[klyph]

I think you want PEX tubing.

 

[jim4065]

I don't think it can handle steam:

What are recommended uses for PEX?

PEX 's flexibility and strength at temperatures ranging from below freezing up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit makes it an ideal piping material for hot and cold water plumbing systems, service lines, hydronic radiant heating systems, snow melting applications, ice rinks and refrigeration warehouses.

 

[XXguy]

Yuri Rage is mr. steam... let me try to dig up his steam mash setup. Here you go:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/diy-steam-mash-system-yuri-27070/

I didn't dig through his thread to see what he's using, but I'm sure his setup & equipment is detailed there.

 

[Sawdustguy]

I doubt that a Plastic Cooler or Pex will stand up to steam temperatures.

 

[jim4065]

Aha! https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/easy-steam-infusion-mash-system-25974/

 

[klyph]

Ah, high temp silicone, I thought that was PEX.

 

[FlyGuy]

I doubt that a Plastic Cooler or Pex will stand up to steam temperatures.

I can't say for sure about the PEX tubing, but the plastic cooler will hold up fine.

And yes, silicone tubing is what you need. Try to get the thicker-walled stuff to retain the heat better and prevent kinking.

 

[Sawdustguy]

I can't say for sure about the PEX tubing, but the plastic cooler will hold up fine.

And yes, silicone tubing is what you need. Try to get the thicker-walled stuff to retain the heat better and prevent kinking.

Okay, I was 1/2 right.

 

[Grizzlybrew]

just to reiterate - silicone...

 

[jim4065]

That McMaster-Carr tubing (3184K1) says it's good for 35 psi at 78 degrees F. Does anyone have the foggiest what it's rated for at 250 degrees F?

Here's some that's "reinforced" (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23600&catid=799) but it's still not recommended for "continuous" steam applications. (Whatever that means.)

This stuff (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23703&catid=799) is higher rated, but Lordy! Look at the price!

I know that 15 psi is very low pressure, but it sounds like most of this tubing isn't really meant to handle much pressure when combined with elevated temps. If Flyguy hasn't had one pop in all this time then that's good enough for me.

 

[klyph]

His valve is before the tubing. The tubing never really sees much pressure since it is open at the manifold. Don't make the tubing part of the pressure vessel, like putting the valve after the tube right before manifold, and you'll be fine. Essentially, the tubing is part of the manifold, it equalizes it's pressure to atmosphere with only the flow restriction of the tube causing elevated pressure.

 

[jim4065]

Thanks klyph. It's like someone switched on a light in my head.