Using SS small bottle reducer on Smoky Lake canner--leaking

[maple marc]

I finally found the stainless steel reducer for filling small bottles from my Smoky Lake water jacket canner. Up until now I have been strapping a silicone funnel to the coffee valve, which has worked fairly well. However, now I've got problems with the installation of the SS reducer: I've pressed it into the bottom of the valve per the instructions, but it leaks around the reducer no matter how tight I press it in. Now I've got a leaky valve (probably can't remove the reducer) so I will have to go back to strapping on the funnel. Anyone having the same experience?

[maple flats]

I never used their coffee type valve, I changed it to a 1/2" ball valve, then I have a foot operated on/off valve. I regulate the flow using the 1/2" ball valve, that way as I change container sizes I simply adjust the ball valve. Doing that my 3/8" outlet fitting on the foot operated valve can be any flow from full flow fast down to a tiny stream. I find this way very handy.
When I bought the foot controlled valve it came with 3 nozzle sizes, but changing the sizes was more trouble than putting in a 1/2" ball valve and just leaving the 3/8 nozzle in place.

[TonyL]

I never used their coffee type valve, I changed it to a 1/2" ball valve, then I have a foot operated on/off valve. I regulate the flow using the 1/2" ball valve, that way as I change container sizes I simply adjust the ball valve. Doing that my 3/8" outlet fitting on the foot operated valve can be any flow from full flow fast down to a tiny stream. I find this way very handy.
When I bought the foot controlled valve it came with 3 nozzle sizes, but changing the sizes was more trouble than putting in a 1/2" ball valve and just leaving the 3/8 nozzle in place.

So I think that means no, maple flats has not experienced the issue at hand.😊
However, our small bottling reducer leaks also. Not a stream, and not constantly, but enough to make a bit of a mess. I'm considering trying to take it back apart and see if I can figure out a fix.

[SeanD]

Yup, I've had the same experience with the SL Tomlinson valve and reducer combo. It leaks and gets all over the nip and eventually your hands and eventually over everything. Total mess. I went back to my original coffee spigot from my homemade bottler. It can't do nips, but with the funnel and precise control it offers, it's worth the switch back.

I felt like I wasted my money until I found that the Tomlinson valve (without the reducer) is really good for filling bulk containers. The flow is much faster than the coffee spigot and I can fill the container before the temp drops below 185.

You can take the reducer out by removing the top of the filler, putting the reducer end on a block of wood, and giving it a couple of firm thumps with a mallet or a gloved hand.

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