metalresearcher
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How can I remove this stopper ?
I have this distiller for years and it works flawlessly. But I want to use a thermometer in it, but cannot remove this stopper. I've tried with hot
water but to no avail. And I don't want to use brute force.
When it succeeds I want to put a thermometer adapter into it for an 8mm diameter thermoeter, is this one correct ?
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/W-SHUFANG-Stopper-Socket-Thermome...
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Eleutheria
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I’ve seen people use an ultrasonic bath to help. I’ve never needed to use an ultrasonic bath to loosen frozen joints though because this is what I
do, and it works pretty well.
I gently heat it with a small butane torch and then very quickly, increase the torch heat so that you only expand the outer glass and the inner
stopper is then able to be removed usually. Works practically every time.
[Edited on 9/2/2025 by Eleutheria]
[Edited on 9/2/2025 by Eleutheria]
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Sir_Gawain
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Put it in some soapy water and forget about it for a few days. That usually works for me.
“Alchemy is trying to turn things yellow; chemistry is trying to avoid things turning yellow.” -Tom deP.
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fx-991ex
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The thermometer adapter you posted is 14/23, i think yours look like 24/29 or 24/40.
https://www.amazon.de/s?k=24%2F40+thermometer
or
https://www.amazon.de/s?k=24%2F29+thermometer
[Edited on 9-2-2025 by fx-991ex]
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BromicAcid
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For one of those 'hexhead' stoppers I wrap in electrical tape a round or two and then twist with a crescent wrench and if it breaks it breaks.
I have also used the previously mentioned butane torch trick, again using a wrench to actually do the twisting.
Whenever you get a stuck stopper there's always a chance though it's going to go badly on removal. I know some people have had success with gentle
rapping with a wooden mallet along with applying pressure.
[Edited on 2/10/2025 by BromicAcid]
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SuperOxide
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The things that worked for me:
- Heating it up with a torch
- Ultrasonic bath with some degreaser (something to lessen the surface tension of water so it can get in there easier)
- Putting it in an IPA bath (I have a 10L tub for resin printing). If you have one of these, I would highly recommend trying this.
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macckone
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Heat is what I have used. Of course there is risk.
Given that ultrasonic baths are now dirt cheap, that is an option.
Various solvents might help. Soaking in soapy water, nonpolar solvent (mineral oil) or acetic acid (vinegar) can dissolve things binding the stopper.
Hydrogen peroxide can help too.
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MrDoctor
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solvent can be used to pull whatever you want into the joint, allowing you to either dissolve what caused the seizing, or, also add things that might
help dislodge it when solidified (think waxes crystalizing), if its just a clean glass on glass stick.
WD40 could work, also try simultaneously cooling the stopcock, heating the outer glass aparatus, and/or gently tapping the stopcock out from within if
you have a soft pine dowel rod or something like that you can use.
Tapping it out isnt so much about applying lots of force but rather, just attempting a different kind of force from a different angle, different
tension/compression forces, pushes vs pulls. just be mindful of exactly how much force you apply and spread it out as much as possible on any surface
hit.
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Sulaiman
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WD40 on the joint
next day tap or wiggle the stopper out
twisting can seize a joint even Worse
a working seized/frozen joint is better than a broken one.
PS the type of thermometer adapter pointed to is very useful
(eg can use glass tubing or a thermometer)
Some vapours can destroy the plastic cap or rubber O-ring
Some thermometers are too thin to be gripped well
any thermometer may slip through the adapter and drop onto whatever is below.
So, I prefer an all glass thermometer adapter/pocket/well
(cooking oil in the pocket with the thermometer (or temperature probe) reduces the delay in temperature change readings.
something like this
[Edited on 10-2-2025 by Sulaiman]
CAUTION : Hobby Chemist, not Professional or even Amateur
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teodor
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Rotate it with crescend wrench, as BromicAcid suggested.
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metalresearcher
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Success ! Thanks, you all !
I made a detergent solution, poured it into an ultrasonic cleander and let it run twice 6 minutes.
Then I used a crescent wrench (actually a Bahco) with a cloth between the stopper and the jaws and it came loose when I carefully forced.
On the photo I have a caliper showing the stopper (upside down) is 14mm.
[Edited on 2025-2-10 by metalresearcher]
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