Kitchen Spoon in Black Tank

DaveAlb · 07-24-2022, 05:30 AM

We accidentally dropped a metal spoon down the toilet. We did this when dumping our used dishwater down the toilet as we normally do. We are dumping the tanks in about 2 hours. I was going to add a bunch of water to the black tank and hope it flushes through. Any other ideas?

bsmith0404 · 07-24-2022, 05:33 AM

That’s about your only option other than putting a wand or hose down in through the toilet and hoping to move it. It’ll come out eventually, I wouldn’t lose too much sleep over it.

DaveAlb · 07-24-2022, 05:43 AM

Thanks for your help!

jsb5717 · 07-24-2022, 06:06 AM

You could use a borescope to see where it's located in the tank. Perhaps an electricians Fish Tape with a small hook on the end coming up from the outside could snag it. The borescope could help guide.

Challenging but maybe it's doable. Maybe some good flushes and bouncing down the road will help position it at or in the outlet.

jasin1 · 07-24-2022, 06:21 AM

how about a magnet

DaveAlb · 07-24-2022, 06:26 AM

Great ideas…thanks!

JBM3M · 07-24-2022, 06:31 AM

Why are you putting dishwater down the black tank and not the grey?

**JRTJH** · 07-24-2022, 07:15 AM

The 22RBS is a travel trailer, so the black tank sits "directly under the toilet with only 6-7 inches to the black tank bottom."

It should be relatively easy to put a camera down the toilet to see where the fork is located, possibly pull it to the space directly under the toilet, then use a set of "mechanical fingers" (or a magnet) to retrieve it.

I wouldn't leave it in the tank and "hope for the best"... Should it get hung "crossways in the valve" it could damage the valve, the rubber seats or do other "binding of solids/paper" to make dumping the black tank "impossible to do" until somebody reaches in there to clear the plug..... I wouldn't want to be "that lucky soul" and we all know who it's going to be, so this becomes a case of "an ounce of prevention saves a pound of cure".... YMMV

markcee · 07-24-2022, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsb5717

You could use a borescope to see where it's located in the tank. Perhaps an electricians Fish Tape with a small hook on the end coming up from the outside could snag it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasin1

how about a magnet

Forget playing cards or 'movie night'....this has all the makings of a great family game!

JBM3M · 07-24-2022, 07:18 AM

Is the spoon even ferrous? Check on a brother of it before you fish with magnet. If it is magnetic, drop down magnet with a stout string and take the RV on a ride with corners, stops and gos, harder than you normally would. Then check magnet.

wiredgeorge · 07-24-2022, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBM3M

Is the spoon even ferrous? Check on a brother of it before you fish with magnet. If it is magnetic, drop down magnet with a stout string and take the RV on a ride with corners, stops and gos, harder than you normally would. Then check magnet.

If the tank is right below and not too far down, a rubber glove? If not, buy and extending magnet and go fishing. You can get an extending magnet that is about 18" long at an auto parts store. The rubber gloves from a grocery.

**JRTJH** · 07-24-2022, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

If the tank is right below and not too far down, a rubber glove? If not, buy and extending magnet and go fishing. You can get an extending magnet that is about 18" long at an auto parts store. The rubber gloves from a grocery.

Reminds me of the "monkey traps" used in Thailand when I was on R&R from Viet Nam.....

A glass jar secured so it can't be moved, with a small hole in the lid and visible food (monkey treats) inside. The monkey would stick his hand through the hole, grasp the food and couldn't get his hand back through the hole and wouldn't drop the food so his hand would fit back through the hole. Result, a "fresh monkey for supper"......

How does this relate to putting on a rubber glove and sticking your hand through the toilet hole ?????? Hmmmmmm

**flybouy** · 07-24-2022, 09:02 AM

I would check another spoon for magnetic attraction. If positive then I would buy a stron magnet with a hole in it. Secure the magnet to an electricians snake with wire, good string, or a good strong wite tie so it won't slip off. Go fishing and if sucessful don't " catch and release" or keep it as a "trophy catch".

wegone · 07-24-2022, 06:56 PM

Maybe you can hire a hungry plumber

RickV · 07-25-2022, 01:56 AM

Get one of these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D23M5R7...2-587d01f975e8

bgrhrdt · 07-25-2022, 02:38 AM

When you get it out, be sure to save it for your very best guests.

DaveAlb · 07-25-2022, 03:52 AM

I will make sure I save it. Could possibly make a trophy out of it.

**flybouy** · 07-25-2022, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickV

Get one of these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D23M5R7...2-587d01f975e8

If the OP chooses to go the endoscope route then I'd suggest purchasing one that either comes with or has available the optional "tools". Some brands have the option of a mirrored end to look to the side and a magnet or hook on the end of the mirror attachment. They would be a lot easier to manipulate than 2 seperate tools while looking at your phone's screen.

DaveAlb · 07-25-2022, 05:23 AM

My brother in law thinks I should go with floating silverware.

**flybouy** · 07-25-2022, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveAlb

My brother in law thinks I should go with floating silverware.

But that won't help you now.

Here's a fool-proof method to prevent future events like this..

Step 1 - drain dish water into sink.

If you want to drain dishwater into black tank then add Step 2 - use a strainer like you use for pasta.

Sorry, I was born with extra sarcasm (from my mother's side) and cannot be held responsible for my genetic predisposition.

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