Beer Forum

I am somewhat new to kegging. I have heard many people (including JZ) say that they dissassemble their kegs completely to clean them, including removing the poppet valves from the posts. I have the regular ball lock posts on a standard soda keg, 3 gal size. I have tried to remove the poppet valves the last two times without much success. I have read that people just use a flat head screwdriver and put pressure on the top of the poppet head. I have tried this, and with pretty much all of my weight on the screwdriver, the poppet just doesn't pop out - the "feet" (or whatever you call them) remain anchored to the ridge inside the post. Last night, I tried lightly tapping with a hammer on the screwdriver, and eventually did get the poppets out, but the "feet" were all bent on each one. I think that I can bend them back into shape, but I'm not sure if they will seal well now. Very frusturating!

So, it seems like there must be a better way to do this. Those of you that do this all the time - any tips? I can't afford to replace the poppets with each cleaning. Last night I did find some hop debris inside the poppets, so I certaintly understand the value of removing them, I just can't figure out how to do it safely and easily. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

JG

Most of mine come out easily. All but my 10 gallon keg. That keg behaves the same way you're describing.

I put the post on a solid surface and use a punch to press it out.

Here's the punch set I bought-
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002 ... B00002X1YK

stadelman wrote:Most of mine come out easily. All but my 10 gallon keg. That keg behaves the same way you're describing.

I put the post on a solid surface and use a punch to press it out.

Here's the punch set I bought-
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002 ... B00002X1YK

so are you just putting pressure on the poppet head with the punch, or are you actually using a hammer (or something similar) to hit the punch? Do the poppets come out without getting the "feet" bent?

If that doesn't work maybe try soaking the post and poppet in a warm PBW solution. Might help to free it up. Who knows?

That's insane you have to hammer them. All of mine practically fall out! Maybe you can use a screwdriver to "turn" the feet to set them free?

I wonder if you have the wrong size poppets for you posts. This just does not make sense.

If it is the case I would worry about taking them out. Just give them a good overnight soak in PBW and they should come clean. Depress the poppet enough so the solution gets around the gasket.

I have to forcefully push mine out most of the time with a small flat blade screwdriver.

atomicpunk wrote:That's insane you have to hammer them. All of mine practically fall out! Maybe you can use a screwdriver to "turn" the feet to set them free?

I wonder if you have the wrong size poppets for you posts. This just does not make sense.

I don't think that they are the wrong size. These are the poppets that came with the keg, and the keg was purchased new, not used/reconditioned. I guess I feel better that my experience is unusual. I couldn't figure out why there wasn't more information out there about removing these since it seemed to difficult. I guess it is because it is not so difficult for everyone else.

I completely distroyed one of the poppets while trying to get it out yesterday, so I need to go purchase new ones anyway. Hopefully they'll be easier to deal with. I'll try the tip about turning with a screwdriver next time.

JG

Uh, BTW, all the "feet" of the poppet are normally bent - that's how they come.


Mylo