How to Replace Grease in a Grease Gun

Co-authored by Janice Tieperman Reviewed by Barry Zakar

Last Updated: March 20, 2024 References

Grease guns help keep your equipment and machinery running in tip-top shape. While these tools look intimidating to refill, you can easily reload your grease gun within a matter of minutes. If you’re using a new tool, check the model to see if it needs to be refilled with a cartridge or bucket. If you’re using an old tool, remove the top of the grease gun and pump the plunger to see if an empty cartridge comes out. ^{[1]
X
Research source} If no cartridge appears, you can assume that your tool needs to be refilled with a bucket. With a bit of practice, you can put your best forward when using your grease gun in future projects.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Installing a New Grease Cartridge

Download Article

1
Unscrew the main canister from the head of your grease gun. Rotate the grease gun’s base, which looks like a large cylindrical canister, counterclockwise. Continue twisting the canister until you’ve detached it from the head and nozzle of the gun. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- The top portion of the grease gun is often referred to as the head.
2
Pump the plunger to remove the empty cartridge. Once the the top of the gun is removed, extend and push in the plunger along the bottom of the tool. Watch as the empty cartridge is partially forced out of the grease gun, then use your hands to remove it completely. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If the empty cartridge has a lot of grease on it, use a paper towel when removing it.
Did you know? Most grease guns are operated with cartridges. If pumping the plunger doesn’t release an empty cartridge, then you can assume that your grease gun can be refilled with a bucket.

Advertisement
3
Extend the plunger from the back of the gun and secure it in place. Wrap your pointer and middle finger beneath the grease gun’s handle and pull upwards. Remove the plunger completely, then listen for a sound of air releasing, which means that it’s fully extended. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Some grease guns have a groove near the base of the plunger, which helps secure and lock the plunger into place. If your tool has this feature, push the plunger into the groove as an extra security measure.
4
Twist the cap off the bottom of the new cartridge. Examine your new cartridge of grease to find an end with a metal tab, as well as an end with a plastic cap. Rotate the plastic cap counterclockwise to remove it all the way. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
- The cartridge is always installed in the grease gun with the cap side down.
- You might need to apply a lot of force to twist off the cap completely.
5
Slide the capless side of the cartridge into the canister. Center the new cartridge over the top opening of the canister. Double-check that the section of the cartridge with the removed cap is facing downwards, then push the cartridge into the grease gun. Once the entire item is in the grease gun, press along the top to ensure that the cartridge is firmly installed in the tool. ^{[6]
X
Research source}
- The side with the metal tab needs to be facing upward.
Pretend you’re opening a can of soda or cat food, and remove the tab on the grease can in the same way. Once you’ve loosened and popped the tab, peel the metal lid off of the cartridge. If there’s a lot of grease stuck to the inner lid, be sure to scrape it into the open container of grease. ^{[7]
X
Research source}
Take the top portion of the grease gun and arrange it on top of the canister. Use clockwise motions to twist the head partially back onto the gun. Don’t completely reattach it—instead, screw it about halfway onto the grease canister. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
While keeping the plunger locked in the groove, press on the handle to create tension in the base of the grease gun. The plunger itself won’t move, but you’ll be removing any leftover air bubbles from inside the gun.
Twist the top of the tool clockwise to tighten and completely reattach it to the rest of the grease gun. Before you use the tool, double-check that the head is completely secure and that there are no gaps or leaks present. ^{[9]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Refilling a Gun with a Grease Bucket

Download Article

1
Unscrew the canister from the top of your grease gun. Use both hands to rotate the main section, or canister, counterclockwise from the head of your tool. Continue twisting until both parts of the grease gun are completely separated from one another. ^{[10]
X
Research source}
- With this style of grease gun, the grease will fill the canister itself instead of a separate cartridge.
Examine the canister to find a sturdy cap attached to the bottom of the tool. Twist counterclockwise to loosen the cap, which will make it easier to remove the piston and spring from the grease gun. ^{[11]
X
Research source}
Use 1 hand to slowly pull the piston and its accompanying spring out of the grease gun. Try to keep the tool as level as possible while you work. ^{[12]
X
Research source}
4
Flip the rubber seal up so it covers the end of the piston. Find the metal circle along the edge of the rod, which has a black seal surrounding it. Use your fingers to push along the edges of the piston seal, creating a partition around the edge of the piston. By doing this, you create a secure seal for when the canister is filled with grease. ^{[13]
X
Research source}
- When the seal is turned downwards, the grease gun can hold a cartridge.
5
Reattach the cap to the central canister. Slowly push the piston back into the canister. Turn the cap clockwise to connect it to the central canister so there won’t be any grease leaks later on. At this point, check that the plunger is fully inserted in the back of the grease gun. ^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Make sure that you’re connecting the cap tightly and securely, or else air bubbles might form in the grease later.
6
Dip the canister into a grease bucket and extend the back plunger. Hold the canister in 1 hand while using your opposite hand to hold the base of the plunger. Place the tip of the canister about 2 in (5.1 cm) into an open bucket of grease, then pull slowly on the plunger. Extend the plunger to its full length to create a suction force, which sucks grease into the tool. ^{[15]
X
Research source}
- Try to pull on the plunger slowly.
Grab an old rag and mop up an extra grease coating the sides and rim of the canister. Once you’ve wiped up the tool, you can discard the rag or place it in a bin to wash later. ^{[16]
X
Research source}
Center the top portion of the grease gun on top of the canister, then rotate it clockwise several times to begin reattaching it. Stop rotating once both components are partially secured together. ^{[17]
X
Research source}
9
Push the plunger into the canister to get rid of any excess air. Use 1 hand to hold the grease gun in place, and another to reinsert the plunger into the canister. Apply a slow, steady pressure to the plunger as you stick it back in the grease gun so the grease won’t have any air bubbles. ^{[18]
X
Research source}
- If your grease gun has air bubbles inside, it might not work properly or efficiently.
10
Tighten the grease gun head to the canister. Finish twisting the top portion of the tool clockwise until it’s firmly attached to the canister. Before you use your grease gun, check that there are no gaps between the top and central portions of your tool. ^{[19]
X
Research source}
- If there are any gaps between the head and canister portions of the gun, air bubbles could form later.