Hambleton Bard S30 bottles

[martyn142]

Has anyone else had problems with these cannisters? I bought one online. It worked OK for the first few squirts and then the valve stuck open and I lost all the remaining gas. Got a refill at my local HB shop - same thing happened.

There's a sticker on it to say if this happens put the valve in warm water. I did but it made no difference. I am not sure what to do - I don't want to resort to sparklets as they don't seem very cost effective to me - I like to top up the CO2 a bit after each session. I did think of getting a soda stream bottle as I have an adaptor but I can't find any local stockists.

Any ideas? Is there a knack to them or have I just been unlucky and should persevere?

[TC2642]

Had a couple do that but that was over a period of years. I think you have just got very unlucky, I find them to be quite reliable and good value for money.

[Bryggmester]

I have had that happen a couple of times I tried the hot water remedy without success. I think the secret lies in just using very short squirts of CO2 so the valve doesn't get chance to freeze open.

[martyn142]

Guess I will have to try again then. That's a good tip Bryggmester.

[StrangeBrew]

I did think of getting a soda stream bottle as I have an adaptor but I can't find any local stockists.

My local Tesco has them in stock! Might be worth looking in a Tesco near you.

[martyn142]

HI Strangebrew. We tried Asda and Tesco's in Cardiff - both v big stores and no luck.

[Stonechat]

I have had that happen a couple of times I tried the hot water remedy without success. I think the secret lies in just using very short squirts of CO2 so the valve doesn't get chance to freeze open.

B's advice is spot on. Use one second bursts, only one or two should do it. If you still overdo it and the valve freezes, just push it back to reseat with the end of a screwdriver handle or something like it. A short burst of gas will escape, but if you listen to the valve it should stop hissing.

I usually get my S30 to last for about 4 to 5 barrels, a the first few jugfuls from a conditioned beer should come out without any S30 assistance, then just a second or two of gas to push the beer out without any air getting in via the tap.

It's well worth getting at least one spare so you're covered if the S30 runs out.

[BodgerBill]

When I got my first HB bottle I had the same problem as you but soon found out a short blast of 1 second prevents freeze up most of the time. I have never used the hot water treatment but prefer to give the centre pin a swift knock on the corner of a shelf or such like. It seems a bit Heath Robinson but it does the trick. When it first happens you go into a sort of blind panic because all of your gas is disappearing (especially if your nearest stockist is 20miles away and you have no spare and its Saturday evening..) but after its happened a couple of times you become quite calm about the whole thing.

I have also had the pressure release valve inside the cap of the pressure barrel literally blow off because I had done a longer burst. Short is sweet!!

Hope this helps

BB

[Logopolis]

Just had this problem. The hot water advice didn't work, but a quick press down on the central pin with a wooden spoon was enough to sort it out. Word of warning which shouldn't really come as a surprise, but will when you try it, there's a quick burst of gas, so keep your face out of the way!

[Brighteyebeer]

I did think of getting a soda stream bottle as I have an adaptor but I can't find any local stockists.

My local Tesco has them in stock! Might be worth looking in a Tesco near you.

Strangebrew - are you sure your adaptor will work? Sodastream changed their cylinders a year or so ago. Only the new ones are available, and they have a different thread to the old type. S30 adaptors were made for the old type cylinder, and can't be used with the new ones. Don't throw good money after bad!

Cheers,
Chris