When it’s time to lubricate plumbing components, it’s essential to know what to use and what to avoid.
The market is flooded with products and each one promises a set of advantages. The two types of grease you will come across are – plumbers grease & silicone grease.
This can often lead to a comparison of plumbers grease vs silicone grease.
Plumbers grease is commonly used for non-consumed water sources in plumbing setups. In comparison, if there is potable water being ingested from the plumbing fixture, it’s recommended to use silicone grease. This is due to the toxic chemicals found in plumbers grease that should not be consumed by humans.
For the most part, both types of grease are effective at lubricating the fixture. However, it comes down to your safety.
This article will dive deeper into the subject by comparing plumbers grease vs silicone grease.
Best Plumbers Grease (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
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What is Plumbers Grease?
Plumbers grease is a specialized lubricant that consists of silicone grease and alternative waterproof chemicals.
This formulation is used for a wide array of plumbing fixtures to offer comprehensive lubrication. It is often compared to vaseline due to its consistency, however, it is referred to as being thicker than traditional vaseline.
Plumbers grease is not only used by professionals but also the average Joe.
It’s an effective, high-value grease product that is easy to apply. It will offer tremendous lubrication and not damage the plumbing fixture.
What is Silicone Grease?
Silicone grease or “dielectric grease” is a waterproof grease that is used as a lubricant. it consists of silicone oil and silica thickener to create a robust consistency that’s ideal for greasing plumbing fixtures.
This solution is commonly used for potable sources of water due to it having food-grade chemicals. This means it can be used for a wide array of plumbing fixtures and dental equipment without being dangerous to the average person.
Comparing Silicone and Plumbers Grease
1. Formulation
When it comes to plumbers grease vs dielectric grease, it’s the formulation that differs.
Plumbers grease consists of silicone grease + a wide array of alternative chemicals. These are not all food-grade chemicals, which means they might not be usable on certain plumbing fixtures.
While silicone grease consists of silicone oil. Some formulations will include a silica thickener, which provides a more refined consistency.
These are comparable formulations when it comes to efficiency, performance, and overall quality. Professionals will often use both interchangeably as long as they are made by a reputable brand.
2. Contact with Potable Water
Silicone grease is often used for dental equipment and potable water sources because it can be ingested.
This is important for professionals lubricating or greasing a surface that will come in contact with ingestable materials. This can include anything associated with the dental field, food, or beverages.
A good example would be a home-based pipe that will have to be greased. In this case, if the water is going to be consumed regularly, it’s better to use pure silicone grease for the surface. It is much safer.
On the other hand, some surfaces do not have potable water, which means plumbers grease is just as effective.
It comes down to what the surface is going to be used for and how it is going to be greased.
3. Potential for Contamination
The main issue property owners have to contend with when using plumbers or silicone grease comes down to contamination.
Silicone grease is not going to contaminate a surface because it is made of solely food-grade ingredients. This goes a long way in protecting both the lubricated surface and the average human walking around.
On the other hand, plumbers grease requires a bit of diligence on your part as to how that fixture is going to be used.
Otherwise, it’s possible the ingredients in the plumbers grease can contaminate the water source.
Final Thoughts
These are the differences when comparing plumbers grease vs silicone grease.
Plumbers grease is different from silicone grease. It is composed of silicone grease plus additional additives to thicken the formulation. On the other hand, silicone grease consists of pure silicone oil and silica thickener. This makes it easier for the grease to settle on surfaces that provide potable water.
For the most part, it’s best to sit down and look at where the grease is being applied.
It’s also important to note, a lot of surfaces already come pre-greased due to this reason. It’s important to test the surface and make sure it does not have to be greased.
This can lead to a situation where the surface has been over-greased. It’s important to stay patient in a situation such as this to maximize your chances.
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