OF
Well-Known Member
It's gotten to the point where the underside of the screen is caked with honey oil and I can't remove it. I had to jam something up the bowl side of the stem and force the screen out, basically ruined it because the draw resistance was getting too much to handle.
Two suggestions. First off, as has been said 'do it hot'. Torch heating is one way, I do it right after a session while the stem is already warm, but in any case hotter makes it softer.
Secondly, don't punch it out from behind, it's generally a disaster as you point out. Instead I use a safety pin with a small right angle hook in the end ( bent 'straight out). Very easy to do with pliers when you heat the pin tip 'glowing red' and work fast. You can do it cold, but the hook will have to be longer (so you can get leverage) and you can break it off (so have spares).
Anyway, slide the hook down as far as you can and rotate it to poke through the mesh 'low down'. Then lift it a tiny bit. Move to a different location and pull it up a bit there. 3 or 4 such minor lifts pulls it free without any real damage.
Much better if you clean more often, of course, but where's the fun in that?
OF