Gasteam radiator in a one pipe system

MonasDad

Hi -- So thanks to this forum I now know that I'm the owner of a Gasteam radiator! It's been repurposed as a steam radiator, and it does a great job at getting hot -- but it hisses throughout the boiler cycle. I've tried swapping out various air vents, always thinking that that was the problem, but because it's in the hallway of a small apartment building and not bothering anyone I just figured it's gonna do what it's gonna do. But now I think it's an issue in balancing my system.

Are these things ok to use as steam radiators? My thinking is there must be standing water in it (because there would have been as a gasteam radiator?) and it's causing wet steam so air vent won't shut. I can see water collect on top of the air vent (gorton) so it must be a wet steam issue? BTW it's on it's own 1 1/4" riser up two floors from the boiler...so pretty close to it as far as the whole system is concerned.

Steamhead

Sure it's not a leak at the supply valve? I see a lot of tracks from moisture on the pipe coming up from the floor. Sometimes all you need is to tighten the packing nut.

DanHolohan

The bottom portion of the Gasteam is filled with water. You’re passing steam over it. I imagine that can create some hissing noises. It’s like very hot wind blowing across a lake. (Ahh, poetry!)

MonasDad

@Steamhead
Double checked and those must be old stains from a previous leak -- valve is dry and in good condition.

@DanHolohan
Since it always has water in the bottom portion, should I vent it slow so I can get more heat to the upper floors and ignore the hissing, or really fast in hopes the vent closes before things get swampy. I'd imagine the lake in the Gasteam is full of rust and mineral deposits.

DanHolohan

@MonasDad, I'd try both ways and see what works best. I've never seen Gasteam used this way so I can't say for sure.

JohnNY

Isn't that one of those radiators Jerry Seinfeld had in his apartment?

Steamhead

JohnNY said:

Isn't that one of those radiators Jerry Seinfeld had in his apartment?

Yup.

ChrisJ

JohnNY said:

Isn't that one of those radiators Jerry Seinfeld had in his apartment?

Sally Buddy and Rob also had one in their office.

DanHolohan

I don't think Jerry's was hooked up to anything. Explains a lot, I suppose.

mattmia2

Why would you choose an extra large and heavy radiator to use as a prop?

ChrisJ

mattmia2 said:

Why would you choose an extra large and heavy radiator to use as a prop?

They've probably been props for years, who knows why or where they came from.
Forklifts don't know the difference between 300 pounds and 500 pounds.