Rutland Safety Question

Matt_in_the_OC

I am going to try and do some higher temperature cooks for pizza.  I don’t think the felt is going to cut it.  

I just read this:

http://www.nakedwhiz.com/gasketsafety/rutlandgasketsafety.htm

It had this one quote in it:

“Any serious health risks would be equally likely to harm anyone using the product in its intended application in fireplaces and woodstoves.”

The one thing about this is that if any of the edge of the gasket burns on the wood stove, it is on the inside and just goes up the chimney.  On the egg, the smoke from burning contacts your food.  Is the rutland burn proof?  Has anyone noticed the gasket being burned in such a way that it may be giving off fumes?

SGH

I have did many clean burns in excess of 1,100 degrees and have never noticed a offensive vapor. I also sear steaks in the 1,000 degree arena with no foul smell from the gasket. Just for reference my custom built vertical came from the factory with the Rutland gasket installed around the firebox and cooking chamber and I have approached 500 degrees on it with no offensive vapor from the gasket. Don't fear the Rutland my friend. It has no equal except for maybe the Coltronics.

Skiddymarker

Which is exactly the reason you can't get Rutland to sign-off on food safe use, right? 

Call them, ask them (both Rutland and your vertical manufacturer) - is it safe around food and ask them them put it in writing. When you get that approval, let us know, we will all use it. 

Until then, take whatever risk you are comfortable with. 

WeberWho

I'm still alive

DMW

Life is full of decisions with regards to degrees of risk you are willing to accept. Some are known higher risk than others. Some will certainly kill you others not so much.


Drinking
Smoking
Cooking food over burning wood
Walking along a road with light traffic. Moderate traffic. Heavy traffic.
Riding a bike
Birthing a child (only approx 50% of the population carries the risk, the other 50%...)
Going to the bank (it might be robbed and you might be a victim)


You get the idea. Fumes offing from a bit of gasket material adhering to your food? I'd rank that one pretty low.

JohnH12

I, and many my age, were supposed to be dead many years ago according to all the "safety" experts!

They are the reason so many idiots are still alive and allowed to breed.

Carolina Q

You are happily eating carcinogenic grilled food. Why would you worry about your gasket? 

stlcharcoal

If you're worried about it, just go with the Cotronics woven ceramic gasket......that's what I have had on all three of my BGE's for the last 3-4 yrs.  I had to buy two rolls of it, so I have plenty left if you need any.

RRP

To answer the original question - no the Rutland gasket will not burn until the temperature exceeds 2,200 degrees which is far more than your BGE is capable of producing.

Carolina Q

stlcharcoal said:

If you're worried about it, just go with the Cotronics woven ceramic gasket......that's what I have had on all three of my BGE's for the last 3-4 yrs.  I had to buy two rolls of it, so I have plenty left if you need any.

Cotronics doesn't claim to be food safe either.

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1160958/food-safety-cotronics-and-rutland-gaskets

Matt_in_the_OC

RRP said:

To answer the original question - no the Rutland gasket will not burn until the temperature exceeds 2,200 degrees which is far more than your BGE is capable of producing.

Thanks for the help.  With a 2200F burn temp, I am sold.

danv23

Rutland #1. Thanks @RRP!

MaskedMarvel

Seems the issue with safety isn't the fumes...  It's the fibers getting ingested...

nolan8v

Just because a company will not provide any type of written guarantee for safety purposes does not mean that the product is not safe. I've worked with clients that had empirical data to prove safety of their products, only to be advised by their inside and/or outside Counsel to not provide any type of documentation or guarantee. In some cases, it is a business decision for companies.

I know it sounds crazy, but this is the world that we live in.

No matter what assurances you get or receive, you ultimately have to be comfortable with any risks.

Just my $.02 to you for free.

Carolina Q

MaskedMarvel said:

Seems the issue with safety isn't the fumes...  It's the fibers getting ingested...

(sorry)  

RRP

MaskedMarvel said:

Seems the issue with safety isn't the fumes...  It's the fibers getting ingested...

I try my best not to eat my gasket. BTW the Rutland becomes very tight and does not wave fibers at you.

MaskedMarvel

oh I'll be switching to Rutland or STL's ceramic on the next one..  I was just contributating..  :P

stlcharcoal

Carolina Q said:

stlcharcoal said:

If you're worried about it, just go with the Cotronics woven ceramic gasket......that's what I have had on all three of my BGE's for the last 3-4 yrs.  I had to buy two rolls of it, so I have plenty left if you need any.

Cotronics doesn't claim to be food safe either.

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1160958/food-safety-cotronics-and-rutland-gaskets

They may not claim it's food safe, but they do not specifically say "DO NOT USE IT AROUND FOOD" like Rutland does.  They just say, "we don't know/care/whatever....."

To each his own--I like the Cotronics the best, as I've had all of them.  Any gasket is an upgrade from the crap BGE felt gasket that melts (and emits fumes when it does.)

Carolina Q

stlcharcoal said:

Any gasket is an upgrade from the crap BGE felt gasket that melts (and emits fumes when it does.)

LOL. Amen!!

BOWHUNR

I have Rutlands on four of my five eggs.  The last three I peeled off the factory gasket and installed the Rutland before assembly.  Not once have I cooked a meal on any of the gaskets.

Mike

nolaegghead

On fiberglass (in general):

Ingestion may cause short term mechanical irritation of the stomach and intestines. See Section 8 for exposure controls.

CHRONIC (long term): There is (sic) no known health effects connected with long term use or contact with this product. See Section 11 of MSDS for more toxicological data.

Further, we find the following information regarding any carcinogenic effects of fiberglass:

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in June, 1987, categorized fiber glass continuous filament as not classifiable with respect to human carcinogenicity (Group 3). The evidence from human as well as animal studies was evaluated by IARC as insufficient to classify fiber glass continuous filament as a possible, probable, or confirmed cancer causing material.

kricks

RRP said:

To answer the original question - no the Rutland gasket will not burn until the temperature exceeds 2,200 degrees which is far more than your BGE is capable of producing.

I'm completely in the Rutland camp.  This after going through 2 felt and 2 nomex gaskets.  I just have the feeling it is indestructible.  I cook on the Egg, not the gasket.