Brew Bucket 3 piece ball valve?

[Bubman]

The stock valve & barb is 2 1/4” long. The 3-piece valve & barb runs almost 4 1/4”.
I have less than an inch of clearance from the ground to the end of the barb on the 3-piece, but will be having the bucket sitting up on a shelf in my fermentation fridge, so not a concern for me.

You would definitely need to have the mini sitting up on something. I'd also be concerned about the space available for the valve in opening on the rubber stand that the mini sits on - doesn't look wide enough to me.

Thanks for the reply!

The bucket should be here tomorrow so I will look at the dimensions however I think you are correct regarding the opening in the base. Looks like the valve handle would be an issue.

 

[augiedoggy]

I just want to point out that a regular 2 piece ball valve is much easier to disassemble in about 10 seconds with two wrenches as the whole end unthreads and the ball pops right out. these 3 piece ball valves offer no advantage and are a lot more work to disassemble and clean. I was surprised in another thread how many people were unaware of this. honestly the oem SS valve that comes with the brewbucket shoud come apart for cleaning since the barb piece unthreads and the ball should pop out the same way which makes me wonder, how is this an actual upgrade?

 

[Bubman]

Looking at the picture on the SS site they do not show the ball being removable. I seem to remember a thread where someone did actually remove it but it was a pita. I will search for it.

https://ssbrewtech.zendesk.com/hc/e...I-break-down-the-3-8-ball-valve-for-cleaning-

Thanks for pointing this out. This valve from Brewers hardware would definitely be easy to clean!

https://www.brewershardware.com/1-2-npt-quick-clean-take-apart-ball-valve-female-male.html

 

[augiedoggy]

Looking at the picture on the SS site they do not show the ball being removable. I seem to remember a thread where someone did actually remove it but it was a pita. I will search for it.

https://ssbrewtech.zendesk.com/hc/e...I-break-down-the-3-8-ball-valve-for-cleaning-

Thanks for pointing this out. This valve from Brewers hardware would definitely be easy to clean!

https://www.brewershardware.com/1-2-npt-quick-clean-take-apart-ball-valve-female-male.html

the barb should unthread right off the end of the housing and then with the valve turned to the open position the ball should fall right out just like any 2 piece valve.. I have a bunch of these used for gas on my 3bbl brites and on mine there is a plate threaded in with an allen key/hex key thay holds the ball in.

The 3 piece seems to be more popular here because it looks more complex but its really unecessary work to pull apart and clean from what I can tell. I also upgraded all of my conical valves to butterfly valves but it seems kind of impractical for whats designed as an economical alternative to a true conical fermenter.

When the blue handled butterfly valves first went on ebay they were only $9 each so I bought like 6 before the manufacturer realized they should increase the price since everyone else sell them for $30 each

 

[Bubman]

I also upgraded all of my conical valves to butterfly valves but it seems kind of impractical for whats designed as an economical alternative to a true conical fermenter

Totally agree.

I would love to see someone make a "mini conical" of around 4 gal that would fit into a beverage cooler. I had looked at the Spike Flex but decided for me it was overkill and too pricey given it doesn't have a dump port.

 

[augiedoggy]

also those "quick clean" valves that brewers hardware and brewhardware carry come apart for cleaning exactly the same way as a regular cheaper 2 piece valve except for one difference, the quick clean comes apart with the TC fitting and the 2 piece requires a wrench to unthread the smaller end piece.

 

[magee_b]

the barb should unthread right off the end of the housing and then with the valve turned to the open position the ball should fall right out just like any 2 piece valve.. I have a bunch of these used for gas on my 3bbl brites and on mine there is a plate threaded in with an allen key/hex key thay holds the ball in.

The 3 piece seems to be more popular here because it looks more complex but its really unecessary work to pull apart and clean from what I can tell. I also upgraded all of my conical valves to butterfly valves but it seems kind of impractical for whats designed as an economical alternative to a true conical fermenter.

When the blue handled butterfly valves first went on ebay they were only $9 each so I bought like 6 before the manufacturer realized they should increase the price since everyone else sell them for $30 each

It "should" unthread - I haven't been able to do it. Maybe I'm weak?!

The two piece would've been great, but I actually got the 3/8" 3 piece for a cheaper price (and since I live across the ocean, more conveniently they were from the same vendor I happened to be ordering other things from)

My "bigger" issues (and again, not really issues that warrant anyone thinking this is a "must have" mod) were the unthreading that would happen with the standard mini ball valve, and the fact that the insides of the standard valve were rather shoddy / jagged looking. I also like to tinker.

So was it a massive problem? No... could I cheaply try out a different solution and have some fun in the process? Absolutely.

 

[lawngnomehitman]

The ball doesn't fall out, the white plastic washer that forms the seat for the ball can't escape the threads. Regardless of how you turn the blue knob, you can't get the ball and washer out. I have the 3 piece ball valves on my kettle, and mash tun, and swear by them. I bought a 3/8 3-piece ball valve and am just awaiting the parts to put this together as others have. If there's a way to get the ball out of the 2 piece valve, please show me a video or a picture with the ball removed - I don't think it's intended to be removed though.

 

[augiedoggy]

The ball doesn't fall out, the white plastic washer that forms the seat for the ball can't escape the threads. Regardless of how you turn the blue knob, you can't get the ball and washer out. I have the 3 piece ball valves on my kettle, and mash tun, and swear by them. I bought a 3/8 3-piece ball valve and am just awaiting the parts to put this together as others have. If there's a way to get the ball out of the 2 piece valve, please show me a video or a picture with the ball removed - I don't think it's intended to be removed though.

Specifically what valve are you talking about here? the ball does come out on all the different ball valves I own, its the only way to clean behind them. on the 2 piece valves the white nylon seal sits in the piece that unthreads.

 

[lawngnomehitman]

Please take a photo of one of the ssbrewtech ball valves disassembled. I also have 2 of the 7 gallon buckets, I've taken both valves apart, neither of them will release the nylon washer holding the ball in, nor the ball, regardless of how the knob/lever is turned. This is my concern/complaint, I can't get behind the washers to clean. How do you get the nylon washer out? I stopped short of pulling on it with tools because I didn't want to destroy it in the process of trying to get it out to clean it.

 

[augiedoggy]

Please take a photo of one of the ssbrewtech ball valves disassembled. I also have 2 of the 7 gallon buckets, I've taken both valves apart, neither of them will release the nylon washer holding the ball in, nor the ball, regardless of how the knob/lever is turned. This is my concern/complaint, I can't get behind the washers to clean. How do you get the nylon washer out? I stopped short of pulling on it with tools because I didn't want to destroy it in the process of trying to get it out to clean it.

All the ssbrewtech valves I have are the 3 piece not the simple 2 piece. Here is a Chinese 2 piece ballvalve . This one has TC ends on it but the other valves come apart the exact same way. (This valve needs to be cleaned BTW)

 

[augiedoggy]

I just realized this is an older thread about the tiny ball valves ssbrewtech uses specifically on the stainless buckets.... I have a couple of those type at the brewery and I believe they require an allen key to unthread the nylon bushing to get the ball out. its been a while since I disassembled mine since I only use them for co2 gas on my brite tanks and never beer.

 

[lawngnomehitman]

Ahh, gotcha. This is about the tiny 2 piece ball valves that they ship with the brew buckets. What do you mean an allen key to unthread the nylon bushing? Again, any advice you have, I'm all ears, I've tried to get them to come apart, but short of literally ripping the bushing out, I have been unsuccessful so far.

 

[augiedoggy]

Ahh, gotcha. This is about the tiny 2 piece ball valves that they ship with the brew buckets. What do you mean an allen key to unthread the nylon bushing? Again, any advice you have, I'm all ears, I've tried to get them to come apart, but short of literally ripping the bushing out, I have been unsuccessful so far.

maybe you can post a pic? i do not have one here at home to pull apart but it they are assembled I assure you they can be disassembled.

 

[lawngnomehitman]

I have 3 piece valves, and understand the pieces involved, as well as the rotation for removal of the ball thing that's going on. I have taken the face off of the 2 piece ssbt one, the image here shows as far as I've been able to get them (the bucket valves) apart, but the ball and nylon pieces are stuck in there still.

:

At lunch I'll go grab a photo of exactly what I'm looking at in terms of the bushing and the ball.

 

[augiedoggy]

anyways my comment where originally comparing normal 2 piece valves to 3 peice and the advantages or disadvantages of one vs the other. Thet were not in regards to the valve on the brewbucket and catalyst fermenters.

 

[augiedoggy]

I have 3 piece valves, and understand the pieces involved, as well as the rotation for removal of the ball thing that's going on. I have taken the face off of the 2 piece ssbt one, the image here shows as far as I've been able to get them (the bucket valves) apart, but the ball and nylon pieces are stuck in there still.

: View attachment 702706

At lunch I'll go grab a photo of exactly what I'm looking at in terms of the bushing and the ball.

 

[augiedoggy]

please take a photo of the inside of the hole were you unthereaded the end.

 

[augiedoggy]

I have 3 piece valves, and understand the pieces involved, as well as the rotation for removal of the ball thing that's going on. I have taken the face off of the 2 piece ssbt one, the image here shows as far as I've been able to get them (the bucket valves) apart, but the ball and nylon pieces are stuck in there still.

: View attachment 702706

At lunch I'll go grab a photo of exactly what I'm looking at in terms of the bushing and the ball.

Ok again though that valve is not a representation of a normal 2 piece ballvalve which is what I was comparing when I said I dont know why folks here seem to prefer the come complicated and harder to disassemble and clean 3 piece design vs 2 piece.

 

[lawngnomehitman]

I understand your position. I am only looking to clean my ssbt valve, not really interested in debating which is better - that's all a preference thing, I just like being able to clean them!

 

[augiedoggy]

I understand your position. I am only looking to clean my ssbt valve, not really interested in debating which is better - that's all a preference thing, I just like being able to clean them!

Ok fair enough but your the one who commented on a conversation about replacing that valve with a 3 piece and your comment seemed to be directed at the comment I made comparing normal 2 piece and 3 piece designs which is why I responded in turn.

Anyways, If your little ss valve is like the little valves I have there is a hexigon hole in the nylon bushing to insert a allen key and thread it out -releasing the ball otherwise I would guess you would need to close the valve and literally push the bushing and ball out from the opposite end with something in the hole.

 

[Horseflesh]

As I recall, after disassembling, I had to use a punch and tap the washer out. It got kind of chewed up. Since it did not come out easily I haven't done it again. I would LOVE a better valve for my Brew Buckets.

 

[lawngnomehitman]

yeah, I will take pictures shortly, just tried removing it again, and it's not happening, I'm not crazy, it's just pressure fitted in there. Short of beating it out with a chopstick as a punch, it's not coming out.

 

[Spartan1979]

I drove it out by placing a punch on the ball from the opposite side and using a hammer. It does cause some damage to the nylon washer, but that one is really more of a spacer. the other one is the one that provides the seal. I take mine apart after every batch.

 

[JD Homebrewing]

Please take a photo of one of the ssbrewtech ball valves disassembled. I also have 2 of the 7 gallon buckets, I've taken both valves apart, neither of them will release the nylon washer holding the ball in, nor the ball, regardless of how the knob/lever is turned. This is my concern/complaint, I can't get behind the washers to clean. How do you get the nylon washer out? I stopped short of pulling on it with tools because I didn't want to destroy it in the process of trying to get it out to clean it.

Mine comes apart pretty easy now but it did take me a long time to figure out it could be fully disassembled. The 2 nylon washers are different with the one closer to the barb having more of a ridge or lip on one side that makes it snap into place. An easy way to get this one out is to open the ball valve about halfway and then use a rib hook to catch the edge of the washer and it pops right out. The washer behind the ball will just fall right out from just running some water through it. Hope this helps anyone still trying to get theirs apart. Cheers