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Stuck valve in samovar - WD40 or what?

Hassouni

By Hassouni
in Kitchen Consumer

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Hassouni

Hassouni

Posted
Posted (edited)

I tried to use my electric samovar for the first time in a while, only to discover the valve that sticks in the spigot to be completely stuck in place, held apparently by limescale. I've applied several spritzes of WD40 but it refuses to budge. What else can I do?

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Edited by Hassouni (log)

Alchemist/mixologist/proprietor at the Green Zone, serving craft cocktails with the flavors of the Middle East

 

my eG foodblog - Beirut and beyond

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KennethT

KennethT

Posted
Posted

Can you try tapping it with a hammer or something (without damaging it)? Sometimes, a sharp impact will loosen the scale and free it so that you can remove it and clean it completely.

dcarch

dcarch

Posted
Posted

A gear puller may be cheaper than CLR.

 

A mechanic will tell you a gear puller has a better chance of working. Doesn't matter how rusted in the parts are stuck.

 

 

dcarch

gfweb

gfweb

Posted
Posted (edited)

Looking at the photo of the samovar, I can't see what the gear puller's screw would push against.

 

I think I'd put a torch on the thing and have the thermal expansion crack the scale.

Edited by gfweb (log)
KennethT

KennethT

Posted
Posted (edited)

I agree - I can't see what the pulley puller would push against either.... a torch is an interesting idea too, but I didn't know what material the samovar was made from - if it's something that conducts heat well, then both parts will expand at equal rates, and may not help... but I think it's worth a shot.

Edit, the torch may not be a good idea, or you'd need to be really careful, if there are any rubber gaskets in the valve. But if it's metal on metal, it should be ok.

Edited by KennethT (log)
johnmc

johnmc

Posted
Posted

Soak it in White vinegar and rinse until no taste/smell remains.

Is used regularly in coffee machines and is gentler than citric.

dcarch

dcarch

Posted
Posted

It's much smaller than that, assuming the gear puller is the size of the one shown in the video

 

Gear pullers come in infinite sizes, from tiny clock maker's to big ones to pull wheels for tire replacement.

 

If all fail, drill a hole from the bottom and punch it out from the other end. Seal the hole with one drop of silicone caulk.

 

Do not use heat. It may turn whatever is getting it stuck into solid carbon and you will ruin it forever.

 

dcarch

Simon Lewinson

Simon Lewinson

Posted
Posted

Heat it up to boiling point then use a "canned air" air duster turned upside down. This will shoot out a freezing blast of liquid gas. Direct this onto the valve shaft to shrink it and hopefully crack it loose.

Simon

palo

palo

Posted
Posted

Chemical vs mechanical, I'd vote for chemical first as there is less chance of damaging things, mechanical on the other hand either works or you go shopping for a new one

p

dcarch

dcarch

Posted
Posted

Chemical vs mechanical, I'd vote for chemical first as there is less chance of damaging things, mechanical on the other hand either works or you go shopping for a new one

p

 

Chances for that to work is not great. The design and machining of the valve assembly is to have 100% metal to metal contact to prevent leakage. Chemicals cannot easily get in to dissolve whatever is stuck in between.

 

If you want to try lubricants, WD-40 is not the one. Too high viscosity. There is a solution called Liquid Wrench, which is a penetrating thin oil what mechanics use.

 

dcarch

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