Boiler insulation method/material - ECM Giotto

#1: Post by **Almico** » December 9th, 2015, 2:49 pm

I've been through a few threads regarding boiler insulation, but can't seem to distill the info down to a "best practice" method/material for the job. I'm not overly worried about keeping cups as warm as possible as I am conserving a bit of energy when I leave the machine at the ready all day. Thoughts?

#2: Post by **cuppajoe** » December 9th, 2015, 3:55 pm

I used the Melamine on this page in mine - http://www.mcmaster.com/#thermal-insulation/=1061sgr

Started using the 1/2" for all projects. For horizontal boilers where most of the fittings are on the top, I just wrap it to that point rather than trying to cut relief holes. This does leave a small gap that does allow a bit of heat to get to the cup warmer.

#3: Post by **D'Laine** » December 9th, 2015, 8:18 pm

Be aware that the sticky black foam insulation is often used. Regretfully it's not meant for heat but for cold. High temperatures cause it to out gas bad smelling fumes for a month, and the stuff gets brittle and flakes off if you touch it.
I ended up wrapping my espresso boiler with white, high temp -2000°, boiler insulation. 1" soft batts, and wrapped it with cloth to hold it in place. It was free from work so that was my choice. It tends to fray and drip a bit, so more wrapping is in order.

Good luck,

D.

December 10th, 2015, 8:35 am

I've seem pictures of the black-faced stuff, but it's not very appealing to me.

I was thinking of this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R80O4U/ref ... 6a0a43db_S

#5: Post by **trumz** » December 10th, 2015, 9:29 am

I have my boiler wrapped in Armaflex HT. It was easy enough to put on with copper wire holding it in place.

#6: Post by **JohnB.** » December 10th, 2015, 10:10 am

I've used foil backed Kaowool ceramic wool boiler/pipe/stove insulation on the two boilers that I've insulated. Hard to find small sections of the foil backed product but you could use this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ceramic-Fiber-I ... 1448282093 Add a few wraps of aluminum foil over the insulation & seal the seams with the metal heat tape found at the hardware stores.

December 10th, 2015, 1:03 pm

That looks perfect, John. I just bought some. I like ceramic batting instead of foam. And I have plenty of foil tape left over from my roaster and wood stove fiascoes. Hopefully I can do a neat job. Stay tuned.

#8: Post by **chappcc** » December 10th, 2015, 11:12 pm

You could go really high tech with Pyrogel (http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-NASA-SURPLU ... 233e4a7d4c), which is a super insulating material. Not too expensive and has excellent k value.
Here is a photo of my insulated Salvatore Compact Lever boiler and thermosyphon tubes.

December 19th, 2015, 5:38 pm

I finally got around to insulating my Giotto boiler. It was pretty cramped in there, but I managed to get the boiler enclosed using a few pieces. Not the prettiest job, but I'm hoping functional.

#10: Post by **ira** » December 19th, 2015, 6:47 pm

Looks good. I'd insulate the steam pipe too if you can, probably make for slightly better steam.

Ira