O-ring questions

[Wooly]

I'm not incredibly mechanical, but I understand the purpose of an
O-ring. I know that they need to be lubricated in some way, and I
know most O-rings are made of rubber. Rubber doesn't like petroleum
lubricants (a bit of info that hearks back to junior high health class
*g*), and good old Vaseline really doesn't tolerate heat all that
well, sooo...

What lubricant does one use when replacing O-rings in an espresso
machine? Some sort of silicone-based "grease"? Or are the rings
themselves made of silicone?

And along the same lines, is it possible to use auto supply store
O-rings in a pinch to keep a machine running for a few days until
official replacement parts arrive? Will those sorts of O-rings melt
at typical espresso machine temps?

Missing Nemox

[Andy Schecter]

Post by Wooly
I'm not incredibly mechanical, but I understand the purpose of an
O-ring. I know that they need to be lubricated in some way, and I
know most O-rings are made of rubber. Rubber doesn't like petroleum
lubricants (a bit of info that hearks back to junior high health class
*g*), and good old Vaseline really doesn't tolerate heat all that
well, sooo...
What lubricant does one use when replacing O-rings in an espresso
machine? Some sort of silicone-based "grease"? Or are the rings
themselves made of silicone?
And along the same lines, is it possible to use auto supply store
O-rings in a pinch to keep a machine running for a few days until
official replacement parts arrive? Will those sorts of O-rings melt
at typical espresso machine temps?

Modern o-rings aren't made from "rubber," they're made from rubber-like
substances like Buna and Viton.

I wouldn't hesitate to use auto store o-rings. They won't last as long as
silicone, but if you think about it, car engines are full of petroleum
compounds and run just about as hot as an espresso machine.

When you lube an o-ring, use just enough lube to give an all-over gloss; don't
leave globs of lubricant on the o-ring surface.

[Coffee for Connoisseurs]

You need a new washer. 10mm "mini tap" high temperature
neoprene washer. I buy them at Reece plumbing shops, but any
specialised plumbing supply place should have them.


--
Alan

***@coffeeco.com.au
www.coffeeco.com.au

[butch]

Didn't Reneka pull the Techno off the market because of a taste problem
created by an O ring lube? I wouild "assume" a food grade lube would
not impart a taste. A friend who owns a soft serve ice cream business
gets tubes of the stuff to use on his machines - suggest you call some
soft serve ice cream supply place. Would hate to have an altie to end
up with garlic flavored spresso.

A couple of years ago there was that person with a too hard foam rubber
gasket on their vac pot - slapped some silicone lube on the puppy and
it grew! Hmm what are the entrepreneurial possibilities here?

[Barry Jarrett]

Post by Wooly
What lubricant does one use when replacing O-rings in an espresso
machine? Some sort of silicone-based "grease"? Or are the rings
themselves made of silicone?

i use Petro-Gel, a food grade lubricant.

[Mark Thorson]

Post by Wooly
What lubricant does one use when replacing O-rings in an
espresso machine? Some sort of silicone-based "grease"?

What do you want in your coffee? I would guess that
bacon fat left over after frying would be a good grease
and withstand the high temperature for long periods.
Lard and coconut oil also would take the high temperature.
Vegetable oils (other than lard) will burn, oxidize, and/or
develop stale flavors.

[Wooly]

Sarcasm gets you nowhere, my man. Thanks for the suggestion, however.
My MIL has a 5-gallon bucket on her back porch in which she's been
collecting bacon and other meat cooking byproducts for a couple of
decades. Wonder what industrial applications it might have? Oh wait,
I forgot the First Secret of Fight Club: don't ask!

[Wooly]

1. O-rings aren't made of rubber anymore and my local restaurant
supply is happy to sell me a tube of lube. I learned something today.
Well, I learned quite a few things, this being one of them.

2. O-rings is O-rings, unless they're dipped in beer batter and deep
fried as steak garnish, in which case I hope they started as Vidalias.

3. Bacon grease may have industrial applications.

Thanks for the info, folks!