How do I stop these annoying drips?

[Dave Parry]

I’ve built this manifold so I can use my pump to move wort from the mash tun to HERMS, Kettle or Chiller. I love it, if only because it looks cool.

It’s all in stainless 1/2” BSP, with male to male connectors to join the T pieces to the ball valves. I have used lashings of PTFE tape trying to seal it all properly. Most of them are good, but a couple have a slow drip which no amount of tightening or Re-taping seems to stop.

Any clues?

 

[phildo79]

Food grade silicone gel?

 

[phildo79]

Does stainless steel expand and contract with heat? Might be better off with plastic and push fittings, if that's even an option.

 

[foxy]

Looks like you have used parallel thread nipples, you need tapered thread nipples. Also on the barbed nipples, same applies.

 

[scomet]

A couple of step-less clamps are better that jubilee clips + what foxy says..

 

[LeeH]

Use a liquid pipe sealant, it cures hard. Even if you’re threads are mismatched this will work.

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/pipe-sealants/9082809

 

[Dave Parry]

Thanks everyone. Lots of learning in all this. Much appreciated. Will try and report back.

 

[Dave Parry]

Quick update for you all. I tried the ‘liquid PTFE’ first, but for some reason it didn’t seal fully so I still had drips.

I thought the better solution was to get the right thread connectors anyway. So a handful of BSP parallel thread male to males later and it’s all drip free. Thanks everyone.