Cheap faucets

[jim_reaper1066]

Can anyone recommend a source of cheap, generic faucets and shanks? There are limited options available to me up here in New Brunswick, so I may have to bite the bullet and order online from the states. I have five kegs so far, but may expand to six or seven later on, so I will be needing quite a few taps.

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

I buy everything from micromatic when it comes to my kegging. They may be a little more expensive, but the quality is great. BUT...I really wouldn't suggest going with cheap faucets. I did that when I first started kegging and I eneded up breaking a faucet when it got stuck. Go with perlicks.

 

[jpc]

I agree; don't go with the cheap faucets, especially if you have a lot of them. The more taps, the less each one gets used, and the more issues you'll have with sticking. I'd go with the Perlicks...

 

[Tom]

Go with forward-seal faucets the first time. They will last you forever and they're all-stainless.

 

[Brewing Clamper]

I went with cheap faucets, but eventually I had to replace them all with Perlicks. Save yourself the time and $ and invest in good stuff now... There was talk of another group buy for Perlicks here a week or two ago and Forest from AHS also chimed in on that so you might want to search for that. [\2¢]

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

There was a link on the forums somewhere for perlicks that were around $28 a piece. I meant to buy a few extras, but can't seem to find that link anymore.

 

[jim_reaper1066]

OK, so I feel that the best option is to go with the perlicks, however my major problem is with the price. The perlicks available to me in Canada costs $40-50 each, with an additional $25-35 for the shanks. With half a dozen kegs, this is quickly adding up to a lot of cash for a poor graduate student. Can anyone recommend a good vendor in the States who ships up north?
Any new leads on those $28 perlicks Suthrncomfrt? I searched the forums too and didnt come up with anything.

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/faucets/faucets/525ss_perl_faucet.shtml

Closest I can find. I think you may want to think about doing 2-3 kegs to start off and building as you go.

 

[daugenet]

http://www.kegcowboy.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=153
from keg cowboy for $29

Shipping will make the final call for you....

 

[grampska]

My cheap faucet, which looks exactly like the $16.95 one on micromatic's site, that came with my kegerator 15 years ago is still going. There's been times when it's used regularly and times when it's sat for years without use and I've never had a problem.

 

[snowveil]

prices keep coming down...

http://www.farmhousebrewingsupply.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=144
23.99

and you can always stock up on some hops while you're there

 

[jim_reaper1066]

That looks like a pretty good deal on Perlicks. I know I have read somewhere that people suggest using USPS to ship orders to Canada, instead of UPS. This is the first time I have ever placed an international order, can anyone school me on the reasons why USPS > UPS?

Also,has anyone tried the Pliny hop pack from them? I'v been meaning to put on a batch of Pliny for a while now, so if this all pans out I may have Pliny on tap for my first kegs!

 

[RichBenn]

That looks like a pretty good deal on Perlicks. I know I have read somewhere that people suggest using USPS to ship orders to Canada, instead of UPS. This is the first time I have ever placed an international order, can anyone school me on the reasons why USPS > UPS?

I think UPS charges some kind of "customs" surcharge, handling or some such. USPS doesn't. Whatever the reason, USPS is cheaper, so...

Also, Priority mail rates are great for international. If it's physically small, it's likely very reasonable cost if using the standard package sizes.

Rich

 

[IrregularPulse]

Did you expect to get away with a 6 tap kegerator for cheap

 

[jim_reaper1066]

Did you expect to get away with a 6 tap kegerator for cheap

haha, ya this definitely is not cheap. Good thing my roommate is more then happy to foot half the bill in order to drink some quality draft beer!

 

[bradneal]

My cheap faucet, which looks exactly like the $16.95 one on micromatic's site, that came with my kegerator 15 years ago is still going. There's been times when it's used regularly and times when it's sat for years without use and I've never had a problem.

Although I eventually plan on replacing my cheap faucets with Perlic's. I have been using mine for about 8 months with no problems either. After my last pour, I always squirt the inside of the faucets with One Step cleaner and then cap them with those little rubber boots you find online. I have never had a sticky faucet, even after sitting for weeks without using them.

Best,
Brad

 

[Gameface]

prices keep coming down...

http://www.farmhousebrewingsupply.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=144
23.99

and you can always stock up on some hops while you're there

Thanks for the link! I'm waiting on my Brew logic Dual Tap keg system from Midwest Supplies so I grabbed 2 Perlicks & lever handles for ~$60 shipped. I'm going to get this thing started the right way.