So my new conical is awesome and bubbling away as I type. But is there a way to make turning the arm for samples and racking easier? I loosened the clamp but it still is tough. Would a food grade lubricant be a realistic way to make it easier next time?
I’ve found that turning the racking tube down or at least horizontal before I close the fermenter works great. If you have it pointed up to start the tube will fill with sediment. I’ve had my conical for 7 or 8 years now and by using a trub dump about 3 days into primary and then a long primary I almost never fill the cone with enough sediment to get sucked out through the racking tube even with it pointed straight down.
But to actually answer your question I guess it might, I’ve never had a problem as long as I have the hard gasket properly seated.
Are these TC fittings? If so you’ll want to use a white Teflon gasket, not the black rubber ones.
I have the white gasket in the position closest to the cone. The arm seems to still be tough to position. Maybe I’m not loosing it enough.
What’s your source for the Teflon gasket?
For little stuff like that I usually use stpats.com - looks like they’re $1.50-$4.00 depending on size.
Just be careful what you say or they’ll accuse you of being a Taliban and ban you from buying from them! 