1000%.
Dry gaskets wear far faster than lubricated gaskets. I was an industrial mechanic, and QMED certified marine engineer before the cannabis industry, and I would have been fired for improper gasket installation a few times over if I didn’t lubricate O rings and gaskets of this type.
As you tighten the tri clamp, the gasket compresses and squishes out, creating friction between the metal and gasket and significantly accelerated wear if dry. Lubricant negates this friction. Dry, it will tend to bind, doesn’t create as good of a seal when compared to properly lubricated. I’m not saying to slather a ton of excess oil all over the place… Careful and controlled application of lube is pretty easy. I use Q tips lightly dipped in MCT oil that I dispense out of a plastic Klean pump.
I tap a six inch triclamp 4-6 places in the inner groove (for even distribution without over applying) and wipe the entire groove and outside rim. I wipe the outside edge of the gasket with that used and lubricated Q tip (Not inside the groove closer to product side.) That lubes about 3/4 the gasket while minimizing lubricant exposed to process. Its not just twice as long… My gaskets last 5-10 times longer when properly cleaned and lubricated. I had a set of 4x Rubber Fab FKM screen gaskets on the bottoms of cold material columns last over a year cleaned with etoh and a tile and grout brush, lubricated w/each install, and three of them literally looked brand new after over a year’s use (On an EX40 that ran 5 days as week at -50F and colder). I had spares but literally zero reason to replace any of those gaskets, ever.
When the gasket is lubricated and parts mated, you can twist and spin the bowl or bottom cap to ensure perfect alignment, pull a vacuum and then take your time to assemble the tri-clamp. When the gasket is not lubricated more often than not the parts can not be spun to ensure proper alignment. Makes a big difference on big 12" bottom bowls.
I have worked on equipment and done training / consulting at several facilities that don’t lubricate gaskets and use gaskets that are degrading badly. I would rather have gallons of food grade MCT or coconut oil in my extract than tenths of grams of sluffing FKM gasket material contaminating my product. Don’t use gaskets that look like this
