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Author Topic: Stuck poppet  (Read 2459 times)

Offline roguejim

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Stuck poppet
« on: February 09, 2011, 02:15:51 pm »
Does anyone have a trick for removing a stuck poppet from a keg "out" post?  I don't mind sacrificing the poppet if I can get it out.  I tried pushing on it with a small Phillips screwdriver, but it just springs back into place.  It's a leaker, and must be replaced.

Offline richardt

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Re: Stuck poppet
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2011, 02:23:06 pm »
Try looping fishing line (or very thin twine or bend a twist tie) around one of the three arms of the poppet.  Repeat around the other arms of the poppet, if needed.  Then give a gentle tug.  If it doesn't work, then using a needle nose pliers to push against the arms while pulling on the fishing line (or twine or twist tie) helps to bend the arms of the poppet enough to allow it to clear the metal rim.

Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Stuck poppet
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2011, 02:30:42 pm »
Use the phillips head screwdriver and a hammer - on the driveway or sidewalk.  I've always managed to get them out that way.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline bonjour

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Re: Stuck poppet
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2011, 02:38:06 pm »
Push harder.

You might try a Hot PBW soak, could be dried beer keeping it in.
Fred Bonjour
Co-Chair Mashing in Michigan 2014 AHA Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan
AHA Governing Committee; AHA Conference, Club Support & Web Subcommittees



Everything under 1.100 is a 'session' beer ;)

Offline jeffy

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Re: Stuck poppet
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2011, 03:22:44 pm »
Use the phillips head screwdriver and a hammer - on the driveway or sidewalk.  I've always managed to get them out that way.

That's what I do, too.
Anybody else misread the title as "Sock Puppet?"
Jeff Gladish, Tampa (989.3, 175.1 Apparent Rennarian)
Homebrewing since 1990
AHA member since 1991, now a lifetime member
BJCP judge since 1995

Offline morticaixavier

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Re: Stuck poppet
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2011, 03:34:12 pm »
[Anybody else misread the title as "Sock Puppet?"

YES!!!
"Creativity is the residue of wasted time"
-A Einstein

"errors are [...] the portals of discovery"
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Offline tom

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Re: Stuck poppet
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2011, 06:17:29 pm »
I also have a tiny straight screwdriver with a curved tip that I can pry them out from below.
Brew on

Offline oscarvan

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Re: Stuck poppet
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2011, 07:05:00 pm »
Use the phillips head screwdriver and a hammer - on the driveway or sidewalk.  I've always managed to get them out that way.

+1 except that it's 13 degrees out there, so I would do it on a nice piece of 10" I beam, or on the vice......
Wooden Shoe Brew Works (not a commercial operation) Bethlehem, PA
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I brew WITH style..... not necessarily TO style.....

Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Stuck poppet
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2011, 10:51:39 pm »
Use the phillips head screwdriver and a hammer - on the driveway or sidewalk.  I've always managed to get them out that way.

That's what I do, too.
Anybody else misread the title as "Sock Puppet?"
Every time I read it :)

Use the phillips head screwdriver and a hammer - on the driveway or sidewalk.  I've always managed to get them out that way.

+1 except that it's 13 degrees out there, so I would do it on a nice piece of 10" I beam, or on the vice......
Or a scrap 2x4, that works too.  Just on something that either won't dent/break or you don't care if it does.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline Bret

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Re: Stuck poppet
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2011, 02:51:22 pm »
I use a chopstick's fat end, fits perfect and no metal on metal damage.
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