Spock-

How close did the water level in your pot come to the silicone pads and were they THICK? The RTV silicone has worked for me for a few years. If the water boils for more than a minute or two or the flame is high, or the water level is too high, the silicone pads do get hot, but not so hot that I can't quickly pour the water onto my waiting dry food. High water. long heating, prolonged cooking-changes the dynamics of the set up. I'm a boil water and dump on my food camper...

CamperMom