Quick Connect fittings, otherwise known as John Guest fittings or quick-connects, can be frustrating for people who have never used them before. They’re easy to use, but also easy to break if you don’t know what you’re doing. Please take a minute to watch this very short demo of how to remove a quick connect fitting properly.

The actual quick-connect fitting that is being demonstrated in the video is called a JG022 Plug-in Elbow. One of these John Guest fittings is found in almost every water ionizer there is. There are lots of similar quick-connect fittings found in products, such as water filters and reverse osmosis [RO] machines. Here’s a quick pictorial review of the important points of handling a quick connect fitting in the video. These points can be applied to any handling of quick-connects, john guest fittings, watts, or other brands of quick-connect fittings whether you are working with plugs or hoses, and no matter what size the fitting.

Sometimes you’ll even come across a quick-connect fitting that fits into another quick-connect fitting. They all can be removed using the same principles here.

What to Do if You Break the John Guest Fitting

If you accidentally break one, by trying to force it out, using pliers, etc.,I suggest to look up the quick-connects online and find a  supplier. In the particular scenario shown in the video, while you are waiting for your quick-connect john guest fitting to arrive, you could just install the 1/4 inch hose right into the water ionizer by pushing it in firmly until it’s properly seated.

Installing the Quick-Connect Fitting

Installing a quick-connect is easier than removing one. All you do is push it in. Just one caveat is to make sure you push in, then push again really hard to make sure it’s seated.

Seating the Quick-Connect Fitting

Quick-connect fittings can leak if they are not seated properly. It’s simple, but you must make sure to do it. When you are installing a piece of plastic hosing into a quick-connect fitting it has to go all the way in and “seat”. I’m going to guess that the hose typically [with 1/4 inch diameter fitting holes] goes in about 3/4 inches. That’s probably further than the average person would guess when just looking at the fitting. The John Guest fitting may seem like it’s in, because it won’t pull out, before it’s seated. So, if you are experiencing leaks at the point of connection, it is most likely that the tubing is not properly seated. Obviously if you’ve pulled too hard while removing the quick-connect plug, then you’ve broken off the stainless steel gripper pieces inside the John Guest fitting. In this event it will never be able to seat properly and you’ll need to get a new fitting.

Here’s to success in properly installing your water ionizer.

For those who need to see more quick-connect fittings in action, here are a couple more videos: