DIY cheap hardware store faucet/tap setup.

[mrmarcdee]

I just made a faucet setup out of a handful of pipe fitting from the hardware store because I didn't want to pay for the actual faucet and shank and all that.

It works great, however it is all brass pipe, which I soaked in vinegar and h2o2 like I read. I think it might be imparting some sort of flavor to the beer sitting in the hose, but I'm not sure. What do you guys think, is it ok?

 

[nevadany]

I wouldn't drink it.

For the minimal cost of a shank & a faucet, why not just buy them and be done with it?

DW

 

[ram5ey]

Yeah its gonna start imparting metallic flavors to the beer.

 

[CapnHook]

Not to mention that brass often has lead added, up to 2%, which can leach over time. I wouldn't want to chance it. Go stainless!

 

[wilserbrewer]

Her ya go...someone did an actual study rather than just opinion....
http://www.draughtquality.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/StainlessVsBrassTNB.pdf

At very popular bar restaurant I visit, I recently noticed an old 8 tap BRASS draft tower. The place probably does $5 - 10 million annually in food and beer / drinks....go figure.

I'm not convinced brass is as evil as sometimes portrayed? I would certainly keep the leaded beer away from infants and newborns as they are much more susceptible to lead poisoning.

Stainless is a much better long term solution as the brass will also corrode and harbor more bacteria than stainless.

 

[Brettomomyces]

Ok, brass debate aside, wheres the pics??

 

[ram5ey]

Yeah I was wondering what it looked like too

 

[mrmarcdee]

@nevadany: Because it is not a minimal cost.

@wilserbrewer: Thanks for the good info.

Here are some pics. 6 pieces, totals $16. Maybe I can just replace the main nipple pipe and the barb with stainless and be fine? I cannot find a cheap stainless ball valve anywhere though.

 

[k1ngl1ves]

You might be a Redneck if...

 

[vlucchetti]

http://www.bargainfittings.com/inde...uct&keyword=valve&category_id=0&product_id=62

7.99 ss ball valve

 

[mrmarcdee]

http://www.bargainfittings.com/inde...uct&keyword=valve&category_id=0&product_id=62

7.99 ss ball valve

I was using 1/4" to be closer to the actual beer line size. I assumed this would make the flow less turbulent and cause less foam. You think 1/2" would be fine?

 

[Zepth]

I'd be tempted to look into some nylon fittings if going that route. It claims to be inert.

 

[mrmarcdee]

I'd be tempted to look into some nylon fittings if going that route. It claims to be inert.

Thats what I wanted to try first, but again I couldn't find anything smaller than 1/2" at my local hardware store.

 

[timpoulsen]

I'm still waiting to see some geek put together a manifold of motorized valves going to a single tap faucet from multiple kegs and operated by switches instead of a tap for each beer.

 

[k1ngl1ves]

I'm still waiting to see some geek put together a manifold of motorized valves going to a single tap faucet from multiple kegs and operated by switches instead of a tap for each beer.

I think I love you... lol!

 

[wilserbrewer]

I was using 1/4" to be closer to the actual beer line size. I assumed this would make the flow less turbulent and cause less foam. You think 1/2" would be fine?

I would guess that having the right size beer line would reduce flow and pressure, at the point of dishcharge the size of the valve would be unimportant....the beer would flow nicely out of a huge valve if the tubing did it's job....

edit...perhaps you have a point, but I think it is more academic then field proven....idk haha

I kinda like this bare bones kegging approach...another option is plastic picnic taps pushed through the collar....just a thought...

My picnic taps inside my keezer work so darn well, and are so easy to clean I haven't bothered to "upgrade".

 

[Zepth]

My picnic taps inside my keezer work so darn well, and are so easy to clean I haven't bothered to "upgrade".

My picnic taps inside the keezer would always recoil away from where I left them (over drip tray), and either drip where they pleased or have the nozzle bounce off something and spray down the keezer interior with perfectly good beer. Then one decided that the business end of the trigger should break off and leave a tiny nub sticking out of the end - thankfully it died in a failsafe mode that had the valve shut.

 

[brewbama]

I use picnic taps. Cheap and Easy.

 

[mrmarcdee]

Great idea @timpoulsen!

I just found and purchased some even-cheaper-than-hw-store-brass 1/4" stainless fittings on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/28131311130...49&var=580352934084&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/28132228309...49&var=580360137368&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/28132488272...49&var=580362257215&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Hopefully these will work great!

I use picnic taps too, but its a mess of hoses in there with five kegs (and room for more!). Especially since the liquid lines are 5 ft long. It also gets confusing when company is over. But yah, its cheap and easy and worked for a while.
I also thought of just running hose out of holes in the collar and having the picnic taps on the outside, but never tried because I figured it would be wobbly or not well insulated, or they would twist around to the wrong angle, or get pulled out...

 

[ram5ey]

I saw this variation once. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f252/picnic-taps-my-keezer-where-should-i-put-them-429090/

 

[nevadany]

@nevadany: Because it is not a minimal cost.

.......

6 pieces, totals $16. Maybe I can just replace the main nipple pipe and the barb with stainless and be fine? I cannot find a cheap stainless ball valve anywhere though.

after a 1 minute search...not stainless, but chromed brass: about $30 shipped.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064OIGHA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I still give you points for creativity...

DW

 

[andrewmaixner]

I'm still waiting to see some geek put together a manifold of motorized valves going to a single tap faucet from multiple kegs and operated by switches instead of a tap for each beer.

Been done, its a neat gimmick. A place in my town has it set up with RFID bracelets to automatically charge you by the ounce also.
http://pourmybeer.com/