PTFE gaskets for swing top jars

Steve-Broady

I’m just curious, has a tried this? I was looking at Teflon gaskets for tri-clamps and got to thinking. Would they work on swing top jars?
Here’s a rubber gasket that I found on Amazon:

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And here’s a 3” tri-clamp gasket:

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The dimensions seem like they’re compatible, but I don’t know anything about the stiffness of the Teflon gaskets, whether they’d flex well enough to seal.Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

Ben

They are pretty stiff. Common ritual seems to be wrapping the off-material gaskets in teflon plumbers tape.
I say try one and see, the thickness is going to be the big concern, since the swing tops nor the teflon are very forgiving.:)

Steve-Broady

Yeah, I’ve done the wrapping thing myself. I don’t mind it, but if there’s an easier solution, I’m all for it. The stiffness was my concern as well. They’re cheap enough, so I might try it and see. Worst case, I waste a few bucks.Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

NormandieStill

As a regular user of swing-top jars I don't think they'll work at all. The rubber gaskets change shape just being put onto the lid before you start clamping. I think the PTFE gasket will just crack before you manage to install it."I have a potstill that smears like a fresh plowed coon on the highway" - Jimbo
A little spoon feeding *For New & Novice Distillers

Steve-Broady

You might be right, Normandie. I’ve ordered some gaskets to test the idea. If it’s a failure, I’ll gladly donate the remainder to someone on here.Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

zed255

If your ageing includes allowing for some breathing, I use cloth (or paper towels) between the jar and lid without any other gasket. Just use more or less layers to control the tightness of the seal. I get some loss over extended periods of time, like a barrel, but not too much.----------
Zed
When the Student is ready, the Master will appear.
If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.

Steve-Broady

That’s a great idea!! I wonder if a natural felt would work as well?
I definitely want to simulate the full barrel experience as close as practical, at least in some cases. For others where I’m just storing or transporting something, though, I’d like a proper seal that’s still safe.Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

Steve-Broady

My gaskets arrived today, so of course I had to test them immediately. First of all, it takes some force to get the gasket onto the glass lid, but it does go.

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I doubt I’ll be able to get it back off without destroying something. Haven’t tried yet.
Second, it does NOT seal well! As was pointed out above, the Teflon is too hard to conform well to the glass. However, it does *mostly* seal, so maybe that’s good enough to hold the lid down tight and still let it breathe a little bit for aging?

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You can see the drips coming off. It’s not a steady stream, once I massaged the lid a little to make sure it was lined up as well as possible. I honestly don’t know if this is too leaky or not. I certainly wouldn’t trust it for transportation, but my very uninformed guess is that it would be about right for aging. I welcome advice!Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

The-Baker

Steve Broady said, ' it does NOT seal well!
Maybe just coat the 'seal' with beeswax?
GeoffThe Baker

Ben

If you want some air transfer try it. Watch your evaporation and decide if it's too much.:)

NormandieStill

Wow! I really did not think that the gasket would stand up to that abuse.  

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Stupid as it might seem, a few wraps of PTFE tape might be enough to close up that gap. Or not. You're probably not going to get that off easily enough to test it but you could just wrap the gasket in place as best you can and see."I have a potstill that smears like a fresh plowed coon on the highway" - Jimbo
A little spoon feeding *For New & Novice Distillers