Swim has a glass stopper stuck in a sep funnel. It has been in funnel for approx 48hrs. Any Ideas on how to remove it without breaking the funnel. Thanks for any help.

hmm--might try immersing the sep funnel in hot water keeping the stopper out of the water--an ice block on the stopper might help to keep it cool--then see if it disengages --brute force may be the only answer, but its tounge in bum when you do it as you know your going to slice your hand open--wife reckons dribble a bit of olive oil on it and let it soak in for an hour and try turning it before trying to pull it out--or try the heat and the olive oil at the same time--failing that get it out with a 5 pound ball peen hammer--good luck

Use glycerin. Add some glycerin to the joints where its stuck, wait a day or so for it to soak through and try to pull it out.

Well, the ole gotta man has been living in obscurity and out of touch with the world for a few days, but when he saw this one it truly saddened his heart.

You see, one of my very first goofs was just like this one. I was so proud of the pretty piece of glass and when I realized that it was stuck like a rotweiler and a toy chiuhuahua, I sacrificed it to save the glass cock.

From now on remember to only purchase glassware with teflon stopcocks, they are like "buttah". (nevermind, stupid obscure humor reference)

Anyway, for now, try this:

Immerse the entire bottom, stem, stopcock and all, in coca cola (or any highly carbonated drink) for about an hour. Then gently twist while pulling outward on the stopcock. It should come right out. If it doesn't, I can't help. I wish I had known about this the first time though. Only an idiot would do it a second time. That's why I had to say something. Maybe my double loser move will save your glass.

Note--

Use the soda unrefrigerated for extra fizz, give it an hour, then another hour in fresh soda if it doesn't work the first time. All you will have lost is a coupla sodas and a coupla hours. You might find that you have gained a good lesson, free of charge.

BTW, Swigotta has had a sep funnel assembled and the stopcock in the CLOSED position with some nonpolar in it for about 3-4 months now. It actually goes untouched for 4-5 days at a time. Maybe its the nonpolar solvent that keeps it lubricated. Who knows.

I just realized that you said stopper and not stopcock. The principle should still be the same for releasing it from the joint.

[This message has been edited by gottagogo (edited 08-02-2003).]

You can also try heating it with a torch.