I brew with the 30 gallon spike kettles, over 3 or 4 years now I don't have a problem with mine. My wife cant usually get it as it is a bit tight, maybe previously working as a mechanic gives me an advantage here. I do remove it every time for cleaning and replace it after it hangs to dry for a day or two. When I put it back in I just wet the end that goes in the push fitting so it doesn't mess up the oring. I start with it turned to the left so I can use my right hand to lift up and my thumb to turn and push it into place. Maybe the pick up tube being a little longer on my 30gal version makes this easier as well.
I have been lifting the tube as I rotate it. Seems like i will damage the tube by bending it, but it hasnt bent. Hadnt thought to push down on the false bottom that might be smarter. I dont remove/clean after every brew anymore as its too much hassle and actually not needed as the false bottom keeps stuff out really well.I'm having same (at least similar) problem. @Beavis740 Did you get it figured out?
Are you disassembling the false bottom after every brew to clean below? I find it pretty hard to assemble but really hard to disassemble. Works really well during pash and lauter, surprisingly great flow through this thing but thinking there must be some trick to take it apart.
I'm using false bottom in 20 gallon Spike NPT kettle. So far to assemble and disassemble I've been pressing down on the false bottom itself, right near the hole, with one hand while turning the dip tube with the other hand but I'm gonna need more arm strength before I'd call that easy to do.
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