Best forward sealing faucets?

Which do you prefer? I'm buying whichever faucets rank the best. I'm tired of the "sticking" aspect of my current faucets. Thanks

I have used both, I didn't vote because I think they are made to darn near the same spec's. Never had a problem out of either one. Go for price. You will be happy either way.

Never used either, but I have Perlicks waiting for me to start my Sanyo conversion.

So its 3-2 so far. Glad to hear they're both solid designs. If it really is all the same, I'll go strictly by pricing...

Here's the only difference I can figure. Perlick tap handles don't rotate, Shirrons do. There was an older picture comparing the inside machining between the two and clearly the Shirron (Ventimatic at the time) was worked a little better. However, my perlick looked exactly like the shirron pic. Who knows, they're both great and for the most part Perlicks are cheaper $29 from superprod.com unless you nail a deal on Ebay.

I have Perlicks, but have never used the other, so I can't compare. I like the Perlicks, though.

Bobby_M said:

...Perlick tap handles don't rotate, Shirrons do...

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By this do you mean the Perlick's don't have the 'lock nut' so that you can center your tap handles securely? I was going to get some for Christmas but I have some tap handles that definitely won't be centered without that.

bradsul said:

By this do you mean the Perlick's don't have the 'lock nut' so that you can center your tap handles securely? I was going to get some for Christmas but I have some tap handles that definitely won't be centered without that.

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He means that Shirrons/Ventmatics rotate by design, and Perlicks do not. This photo demonstrates why. If you don't want your Ventmatics to rotate, there is a retrofit kit available.

BlindLemonLars said:

He means that Shirrons/Ventmatics rotate by design, and Perlicks do not. This photo demonstrates why. If you don't want your Ventmatics to rotate, there is a retrofit kit available.

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So, do I want them to rotate or do I not want them to? I'm newer when it comes to draft setups...

Generally you don't want them to swivel. It is a "feature" for a commercial bar so that when a keg is kicked, you can swivel the tap handle to indicate to customers that the brand is out.


Bradsul. Buy the Perlicks. They have the locknut.

I've never seen a pub swivel a tap handle so I didn't get it even after the explanation. I'm kinda dumb sometimes. Thanks for the clarification everyone!

Thanks guys, I'm going with the Perlicks

Soulive21 said:

Thanks guys, I'm going with the Perlicks

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I'm with you! Come on Christmas!

I was concerned when I bought my Ventmatic about the handle twisting. I just figured that I would by the retro kit. But it isnt an issue. Everything works fine.

I am going to buy a 2nd.
So my vote is for the Ventmatic. That being said, I have never owned a Perlick

Never knew about the (near useless) swivel feature on the ventmatics/shirrons... I voted Perlick based on price and near identical design...

Hmmm. I think the perlics I have do swivel. Need to check when I get home.

I didn't really care about the brand. I found a good deal on the Perlicks and went with those.

<---- Happy Customer.

SilkkyBrew said:

I voted Perlick based on price and near identical design...

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Ditto. I purchased mine from superprod.com and only had one problem, the machining on the perlicks prevented one of the taps from attaching to my tower. Superprod.com sent me a replacement expeditiously and I was able to use the other one on my port-o-kegger.

Here's a picture of the machining: (Perlick on the right)

BlindLemonLars said:

He means that Shirrons/Ventmatics rotate by design, and Perlicks do not. This photo demonstrates why. If you don't want your Ventmatics to rotate, there is a retrofit kit available.

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I checked them tonight. My perlicks look similar, but not identical to the pic on the left. They definately rotate, though. Anyone else?? Not that it bothers me. I'm just curious.