Yeah, I was out visiting my parents in Andalucia (Competa, Malaga province) at the turn of the month and brought home a bag of plastic corks my father had saved up for me. 
This is not an issue in a polymer M&E flute. And I doubt that the cork would sell enough to not fit nicely back into the head. As I said earlier, you can dunk the whole head in the water and not cause any problems. It’s a good flute to use in the hot tub. Water will not harm that flute unless it is hot enough to melt the polymer.
There are a lot of different synthetic/composite corks available. The nicest I have used have been a composite of natural cork and springy plastic. They seem to last forever and do not shrink at all. They still have the anti-biologic properties of the natural cork too. I have yet to find a source for theses in bulk here in the US. I have a case of natural wine corks in the shop bought from a wine maker supply shop. There will likely still be a half case of them there when I pass.
Feadoggie
Granted, Feadoggie, though still a trifle unnecessarily messy? 
I had half a thought, though, to any wooden flute owners reading this casually and not realising…
Worked fine on my Rudall and Costeau keyless flute… 
Best wishes.
Steve
Bit off history on kettles and black…in the Army in the 1960’s we used to burn the cork from the bottles to blacken the face for night work in the field. These days the soldiers have cream specially made by Max Factor and a remover LoL
FWIW, I have a slightly dessicated head stopper cork from an antique wooden flute to tighten up this-evening… so I tried the steam nozzle of my domestic espresso machine. It seemed to attack the target well, but after several minutes under the jet and wiping the cork dry, it was barely warmed up and hadn’t really swelled at all. I’ll be interested to hear how you get on with a commercial one. Back to the kettle for me!
I guess my not-so-modern electric kettle is just the thing then. It just keeps boiling until it’s all boiled away. But relying on one’s brain as a shut-off control is très passé.
I guess there’s also the ubiquitous immersion coil for improvising a steamer. Or some kind of microwave arrangement?
I’ve always wanted to get an invite to the annual APCOR’s (Portuguese Cork Association) cork auction and giant barbecue. An acquaintance of mine went every year to buy industrial grade cork for steam gaskets. They open pit roast several steers and bid on lots of graded cork, and drink a whole lot of wine. . .one year he brought me back some of the finest grade sheets of instrument cork I have ever seen. See http://www.core77.com/blog/materials/men_in_trees_a_look_at_the_annual_portuguese_cork_harvest__20839.asp for a little insight into this industry.
Bob
Hey Jem.
We usually met some people in Málaga to organize some sessions, in Nerja (very close to Cómpeta) and Torremolinos. We have very good friends in Málaga and sometimes they visit us in Granada too.
Maybe someday you could join one of our sessions.
I’d love to. I know Nerja, of course. I normally visit my parents twice a year, but only for a few days, (Mon- Fri normally) so fitting in/coinciding with a session, even if accessible, could be tricky/a matter of luck! I have asked before over the years, but never found anything within reach, though a few years back there was a (never substantiated) rumour of an occasional Irish session in Velez Málaga. I should be out next in early December.
http://thesession.org/sessions/2783
The sessions in Nerja are ussually on Sunday´s but I think if I talk to Pippa and Paul (the organizers) and the pub owners have no problem could organize another day, can not be sure but we could see if there is possibility to do.
In thesession link you have the contact info.
We are an uncommon session with a mix of english-irish people and young spanish musicians, in fact we are like a little family from a few years ago. I hope you can join us someday.
mix of english-irish people …So no Scots or even… )
No, no Scots , the scots don´t go to the costa del sol pubs to make music, usually they are interested in other fun.
I just remember we have a couple frome Isle of man.
That nationality slight is as bad as Jem and those band flute pokes. LoL
Since reading this thread I’ve been contemplating doing this on the cork tenon of my Reviol cast-bore flute. I’ve a couple of questions:
Is this just for polymer flutes, or can it be used on wooden flutes too? If so, do I need to do anything to protect the wood?
I assume I would need to clean any cork grease off the cork first? Any other prep?
Which part of the steam do I hold the cork in? The transparent part - (actual steam water gas), or the cloudy part (water vapour)?
Thanks for any advice!
I’m confused. I thought this thread was about Cork. That’s in Ireland, right?
It’s fine to do it to wooden flutes’ cork-lapped tenons, but if they’re highly polished on the body exterior it may be wise to mask the parts which will get some steam-spill to preserve the finish - masking tape, cloth wrap, whatever. I usually wrap a cotton rag tightly around the body up to the tenon shoulder. The bare wood on the tenon won’t be harmed. If it’s a stopper cork, no exterior-showing parts are involved, so no problem. Won’t hurt to wipe out the bore to remove any condensation which has formed in it, and if it’s a wooden bore (not your Reviol), probably wise to oil it.
Yes, wipe off excess old grease, but it’ll come off easier once steamed, so do that as part of the process!
Just hold it in the steam emanating from the kettle spout - doesn’t matter whether invisible water vapour or visible steam, but the closer to the spout the hotter and more intense it will be, so will work faster on the cork.
That’s great, thanks!
Ok today I went to blow the condensation out of my favourite piccolo.
Whole cork and screw cap / end clap moved up. Almost popped out.
Clearly it wasn’t tight enough.
Slathered on some cork grease and carefully used a lighter at a good distance to repuff the cork.
It’s a standard quick fix for clarinet.
You can visually see it puff
Remember the flame can be a good distance.
As soon as you see the cork move youre close enough.
From what I’ve read you’re pulling the cork grease in to the cork as well.
I’ve used steam to melt out liners and of there is a finish on the flute it
“Pills up.”
Just things to be aware of so mask as Jem says above.
Well I followed Jem’s advice, cleaned and de-greased the cork surface, and steamed. As per Jem and dunnp’s advice I masked off the non-cork areas - a couple of tight layers to keep the steam out, and then a few looser layers for insulation. Then some cotton cloth around the rest of the body.
Then I steamed over my little camping kettle on the hob.
I could see it working. When I started there were “woody” bits within the cork that protruded slightly from the surface, which were gradually swallowed up by the expanding cork. After a few minutes they were just below the cork surface, which I think is where they started life. Anyway, I allowed the cork to cool, applied grease, and presto! A nice snug fit just like it was when new.
I was fatalistically expecting it to “deflate” over the following days, but it’s stayed nice and plump since, so I’m very happy. Thanks to Jem and dunnp for the advice!