Drilling into Stainless Steel

[codewritinfool]

mexican,
Could you please post a picture or link to these "silicon tins" you are talking about? I don't think I know what they are...

Thanks

[Henning1966]

here code heres a pic of a black loaf pan.
Wally world usally has cheap ones 2

[mexican]

mexican,
Could you please post a picture or link to these "silicon tins" you are talking about? I don't think I know what they are...

Thanks

I don't have any pictures unfortunately.

They are flexible cake 'tins' totally made from silicon. Just did a quick search on amazon for 'silicon cookware' and came up with a couple of examples. They are also listed as 'flexible' cookware. Go to one of the really cheapy shops and you should be able to score some there. I got one for $4 and should let me make around 20 nice bit silicon washers.

Since the things are totally silicon you can simply cut them up with a pair of sharp scissors.

Another thing I like about them is that the silicon is really soft and thick so it will make a good tight seal when you tighen any pipework up.

I said 'soft and think'. hehehe

mexican

[markmier]

Note, it's "silicone" not "silicon." A very common mistake, but the two substances are not at all alike.

That said, using cut-up silicone cake pans as gaskets is a GREAT idea.

[beer_bear]

I have been mulling around with using those for a gasket too. The one thing I was wondering about was how will they do under the heat of a full boil. I would be putting mine on a turkey fryer and I hope that they could handle the blow by heat. Let me know what you find out.

[markmier]

Silicone can handle over 500°F. Depending on the exact formulation, anywhere from 500-600+°F. Inside the boilpot would be no problem at all. On the outside, I would expect that it wouldn't be a problem since most of the surface area of the gasket would be in contact with the brewpot, which would be close to 212°F (at sea level of course). If the gasket were not in contact with the main body of the brewpot, it could go a fair bit higher than that, but I'd be surprised if it went to 500°F unless you've got a seriously misdirected burner.

[mexican]

Silicone can handle over 500�F. Depending on the exact formulation, anywhere from 500-600+�F. Inside the boilpot would be no problem at all. On the outside, I would expect that it wouldn't be a problem since most of the surface area of the gasket would be in contact with the brewpot, which would be close to 212�F (at sea level of course). If the gasket were not in contact with the main body of the brewpot, it could go a fair bit higher than that, but I'd be surprised if it went to 500�F unless you've got a seriously misdirected burner.

Yep, I agree. Remeber that these things are designed to go into a hot oven. The temperature of the oven shelves is going to be bloody hot(the air temperature is usually much lower) and they don't melt. I suppose someone could put one above a propane burner and see what happens wwhen you turn the heat right up. They're cheap so sacrificing one to find out might be an idea. I've got a three ring burner so probably can't get as much heat as a turkey burner to check it out.

I reckon they're fine and a lot cheaper to use for gaskets if you are making your own weldless fittings.

mexican