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Kegerator - condesation on the tap faucets

Discussion in 'Bottling/Kegging' started by BarmanBean, Jul 28, 2014.

 

  1. #1
    BarmanBean

    Member

    Posted Jul 28, 2014
    I'm having some fairly heavy condensation on my kegerator faucets (outside of the fridge). Not surprising really--they are cold from the heat transfer through the shanks and it's warm / humid outside.

    Is there any way around this other than just trying to insulate the outside of the faucets a bit?
     
  2. #2
    Hello

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Jul 28, 2014
    Is it ongoing or just after you pour? Just after you pour would be fine as it happens to me. It goes away quite quickly. If it's ongoing then there's clearly cold escaping from behind the taps or just around them.
     
  3. #3
    Zinc_Saucier

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Jul 28, 2014
    Same thing used to happen to me, my solution was to put a switch on the fan which pulled cold air through my tower. I don't even turn it on unless it is very warm in the apartment.



    Or the shanks are staying cold due to air circulation and are chilling the taps as well, causing the condensation.
     
  4. #4
    rekoob

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Jul 28, 2014
    I have a little condensation on them when it's really humid out (my keezer with coller is in the garage).
    If you don't have insulation around the shanks on the inside I would start there.
     
  5. #5
    zachattack

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Jul 28, 2014
    You want the shanks to be cold, otherwise you'll have foamy first pours. So I don't think it's an issue, it means your system is set up properly. Some people buy extra long shanks to ensure that the faucets and shanks stay cold.

    Condensation definitely happens this time of year, but it's not a problem unless the dripping water is rotting your collar or otherwise making a mess. If it bothers you, you can try insulating the faucets by making some type of foam glove that goes over them. I remember one thread where someone was trying to prevent his faucets from freezing during the winter, they sewed some custom insulating covers for the faucets.
     
  6. #6
    day_trippr

    We live in interesting times...

    Posted Jul 28, 2014
    I made an improvement to my t-tower cooler that dropped the air temperature in the box another 10 degrees. Through some seriously humid weather lately my faucets were also dripping. I don't mind...

    Cheers!
     
  7. #7
    BarmanBean

    Member

    Posted Jul 28, 2014
    Thanks everyone. Sounds normal, just wanted to confirm. And yeah, I definitely understand that cold faucets means the beer is staying cold / cool all the way up to the first bit that comes out during a pour, which is a good thing :)

    I keep my kegerator pretty cold, so I'm guessing it's just cool-transfer from the metal shank to the faucet, no biggie. I have no collar (upright commercial fridge build) so not worried about moisture damage really.
     
  8. #8
    Hello

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Jul 28, 2014
    I assumed you didn't have a tower or coffin but now confirmed, I think it is okay. I would not worry unless there was constant condensation. I walk by mine daily so I do take a look. I keep downstairs at 78F most days and upstairs at 76F. I haven't noticed constant condensation either.

    You should be okay.
     
  9. #9
    BarmanBean

    Member

    Posted Jul 29, 2014
    Yeah, if i didn't mention it before, I live in VA (humid) and the kegerator is in the garage. The condensation really isn't surprising, was just wondering if it was par for the course, and it seems like it is :)
     
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