High Temp Silicone

[thepackerbacker]

Okay, So I need to seal up my smoker... looks like a lot of people have used silicone from Rutland. I also say in numerous threads where people said the product from Rutland was NOT food safe. So which is it?

I Did find a product Surebond SB-188 which is actually produced only 2 hours from where I live. High temp up to 500* which is hotter than I will need and says its USDA approved. Also available in multiple colors and would be nice to have clear so it was less visible.

 

[kathrynn]

bump....to get you some help.

Kat

 

[jdwalker]

There has been a great deal of debate over the use of certain gasket materials from numerous companies including Rutland. The last time I researched, IIRC, Rutland's stance on using their products around food was basically that the food safety of their products has not been evaluated and therefore they discourage it. You. could probably. find. out more with a Google search.

 

[jdwalker]

the other product you found sounds like it would fit the bill nicely but I have no experience with it.

 

[mneeley490]

SILCO makes a high temp, food grade silicone also. I think I found mine on ebay.

 

[thepackerbacker]

I ended up finding EMI5005 RTV Food Grade Silicone Sealant Red HiTemp 2.8oz -80F to 500F.

This stuff was USDA approved and high temp so fit the bill perfect. I could even order small tubes instead of large. I ordered 2, only used half of the small one so now I have extra i guess:)

Can be purchased from EMI Supply, just to a goole search and you will find it. 

 

[carl haun]

Hey Guys.

You can get NSF Grade High Temp silicone from AutoZone or Advance Auto Parts.

Look for the Permatex Red High Temp (RTV) stuff. It says NSF right on the tube. It is OK to use. Trust me; I am a Chemist by trade. Its high-grade pure high-temp silicone.

I used it to make a door gasket on my MasterBuilt Propane gasser by laying the unit flat on its back on the ground... then ran  thick bead on the door, put some waxpaper over the bead then and closed the door and secured the latches.

Let it rest for ~24 HR and use a utility knife to trim off the excess. Makes an excellent seal with no health / safety concerns whatsoever....

Just my two cents.

..

 

[flyboys]

I used the same Permatex on mine as well, I picked it up at Walmart.

 

[clearprop]

I've also heard of some using Permatex 81878 Ultra Copper Maximum Temperature RTV Silicone Gasket Maker.

Carl, do you know specifics on the the Ultra Copper?

 

[txsledgehammer]

Found on Autozone website.  Shows the NSF on the piture of the packaging.  Went to go buy today and everything is the same on the pakage, but doesn't have the NSF.  Can I or should I still use it to seal my smoker?

 

[c14james35]

Permatex is not food grade I called the company yesterday. I got some high temp silicone from work that's food safe it's called xtra bond

 

[dward51]

Guys,

Let me throw the $40,000 question out.  Why does the silicone used with the seal for a door or other holes in a smoker need to be NSF "food safe" in the first place?

Is the rock wool or other insulation food safe? How about those high temp wires and the screws or rivets the interior panels are put back in with. That sheet metal lining or the expanded metal rack that you had welded up at he local shop is probably not NSF approved either.  Don't see people debating that or any of the other parts of a smoker.  Unless it is going to be in direct contact with the food, I really think it does not matter at all.

I mean come on.... Alton Brown used two flower pots on national TV and the foodie police did not hunt him down.