How to Clean the Joule Fountain Pen (Step-by-Step)
Introduction
Your Joule Fountain Pen is a beautiful instrument — brass body, Snowfall Lacquer finish, a full-size No. 6 steel nib, and a converter system. To keep it writing smoothly, here’s how to clean it properly.
How Often to Clean the Joule
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If you use it regularly, a gentle flush every 2–4 weeks helps prevent clogs.
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Always clean before switching ink colours (especially shimmering or sparkly inks).
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If the pen hasn’t been used for a while, a deeper soak will help loosen dried ink.
Step 2: Disassemble the Pen
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Unscrew the barrel from the grip section to expose the converter.
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Keep all parts (nib + feed, grip, barrel, converter) on your towel so nothing “walks away.”
Be gentle — the Joule is elegant, and curved, or forced removal might damage the lacquer or threads.
Step 3: Rinse the Nib + Feed
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Submerge the nib and feed section under cool water.
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Use the converter (or bulb syringe) to flush water through the feed until the water runs clear.
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If ink is stubborn or the pen has sat idle, you may soak the nib and feed for an hour (or longer) to loosen dried pigments.
Step 4: Clean the Converter
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With the converter removed, flush water in and out until it’s clear.
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For really persistent ink, you can partially disassemble (if your converter design permits), but most Joule users don’t need to — gentle repeated rinsing is often enough.
Step 5: Dry Everything Thoroughly
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Pat each piece gently with a soft cloth or paper towel.
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Allow all parts to air-dry completely — this is important. Even a drop or two of water left behind can dilute your ink or cause flow problems.
Step 6: Reassemble and Refill
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Once all parts are dry, reattach the converter to the grip section.
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Screw the barrel back onto the grip assembly.
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To fill:
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Twist the end knob to fully depress the piston.
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Submerge the nib fully into your ink bottle (nib + feed).
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Slowly twist the piston to draw ink into the converter.
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It’s normal to see small air bubbles near the top of the converter — they don’t usually affect writing.
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Wipe off any excess ink from the nib before writing.
Special Care Tips for the Joule
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Don’t post the cap while writing. The Joule is balanced to write with the cap off the pen, and posting can stress the lacquer or threads.
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The cap threads are brass and could scratch or wear the lacquer if posted.
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Store the pen upright, with the nib pointing up when not in use. This helps reduce the chance of ink clogs.
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If you use sparkling or shimmer inks, flushing more often is wise — they can settle or clog more easily.
FAQ
1. Can I soak the Joule nib overnight?
Yes, you can — but only the nib and feed section, not the full pen.
Soak them in a cup of clean, cool water (never hot) for several hours or overnight if the ink has dried.
2. How do I know if it’s clean enough?
When the water running through the nib and converter comes out clear, your pen is ready.
You can test the nib by writing with plain water on scrap paper — if it flows evenly, it’s fully clean.
3. Can I use shimmer or glitter inks in the Joule?
Yes — the Joule’s feed and No. 6 nib handle shimmer inks beautifully, but remember to flush your pen more often (every week or two).
This prevents the shimmer from settling or clogging the feed.
4. Should I post the cap while writing?
No. The Joule is balanced to be used without the cap posted.
Posting may scratch the lacquer or add unnecessary weight to the back of the pen.
5. How should I store my Joule?
Store your pen upright with the nib pointing up. This prevents the shimmer (if using shimmer ink) from settling and clogging the feed.
If you won’t be using it for a while, empty the ink first and give it a light rinse before storage.
7. Do I need to use Ferris Wheel Press ink?
You can use any quality fountain pen ink, but Ferris Wheel Press inks are designed to pair beautifully with our nibs and converters.
Our formulations maintain ideal flow and balance, which keeps your Joule writing effortlessly.