Longest lasting steam radiator vent

leaking

I have used Gorton vents for 30+ years.
I think quality is down from years ago. What lasts longer than Gorton?
Does soaking old vents in Vinegar help renew them ? I’ve tried it but I’m not sure.

EdTheHeaterMan

Quality Control is not what it used to be. But then again, The American Work Ethic has changes from when our grandparents were in charge.

I will stop here before it gets too Political.

I have heard that a Vinegar bath will help

Long Beach Ed

I've found Gorton vents to be far better than anything else out there. I've probably installed more than a thousand and have had few failures.

What failures are you experiencing? Have you disassembled any to see why they've failed? Vents either foul from a lime buildup or debris on the valve seat or their expansion chamber leaks. The Gorton's have no chamber, so they only fail through fouled outlets.

Those with fouled outlets can usually be cleaned by boiling in vinegar.

If you're having problems with high quality vents failing, it may serve you to look at your water and steam quality and steam pressure. All those will affect vent longevity. If you're using imported junk, and the aluminum bodies are blowing apart, well, that's what you get for seven bucks.

mattmia2

probably more your system than your vents if you're having a lot of problems and the vents aren't the home depot special.

ethicalpaul

There is no data, only opinion. if I had to stake my life on it I'd probably pick Gorton. if their quality is lower it is due to corporate level decisions rather than the quality of worker would be my response to Ed, but again, opinion.

But even so I prefer Maid O Mist because they are so much cheaper, almost as good or very nearly as good, and you can swap the orifices which I think is a very nice feature.

RTW

For what its worth, I have some antique Dole Vents still in operation on my steam heating system and Yes, a brief boil in white vinegar cant hurt. If you ever get access to discarded older vents made decades ago, "seize the moment" and scoop them up, boil in vinegar and they will likely last forever

Here again, we're back to controlled obsolescence on most new products these days even brand names farmed out to China for parts and production unbeknownst to consumers. I was told Harbor Freight was the next best thing since sliced bread for hardware and tools - so I went inside and focused on where the products were made, Guess What? every single thing was made in China, not a single made in USA tag. I walked out never to return

My guess is notwithstanding the made in USA label on new vents, there may be ways around it…

Regards,

Bob

ethicalpaul

China does not mean poor quality. Just about every smartphone, tablet, and computer is made there, and untold numbers of components for all industries. They make it as good as US companies pay them to make it. And I will not let Harbor Freight get slandered without saying you can a lot of good stuff for very little money there.

Long Beach Ed

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1832945#Comment_1832945

On the professional level, Chinese plumbing products are a joke. They are so bad, many inspectors in these parts will turn down a fitting with "CHINA" cast into it. My institutional customers would rebid the job if I gave them Chinese materials on a job. Our USGov contracts would cancel us.

Chinese radiator vents? Ever see one crack and explode? It's on YouTube.

Chinese tools? They'll hurt you. Not one in our boxes,our trucks or our shop. Ever see the web site that illustrates the injuries from Harbor Freight exploding iron castings and saw blades?

Have I said I think Chinese castings and machining are inferior? The stuff is garbage. I and my men wouldn't wear their leather gloves; probably get a rash or hives.

Mad Dog_2

Chinese electronics maybe, but Plumbing & Heating products?? Nah...Some ok...most horrid...many of us experienced a bad run of Gortons a few years ago, but I have had no problems before or after. I purchase & install many dozens per month and many thousands over the years. Call backs suck...I don't install any products that are troublesome. Hoffman are excellent too. Years ago, Dole & Maid of mist were very good quality too.

Mad Dog

EBEBRATT-Ed

As far as Harbor freight goes I get it. I have bought junk there and I found some decent stuff there.

Depends on what you use it for.

A homeowner may pick up a pipe wrench he will use once or twice a year at Harbor Freight. I wouldn't blame him for not buying a Rigid with the $$$ they get for them. A professional who uses his tools hard every day will spend the $$$ for a Rigid and be better off for it. It will last a lifetime.

Companies get around thing's different ways. "Made in USA" can mean different things. Parts can be made anywhere and assembled in the USA for instance.