TAP-A-DRAFT: first impression...

[Stile]

Just recently picked up the TAD from more beer. I've noticed these over the years and figured they'd be a nice interim solution until I go with a full blow keg system.

My only current issue is that the bottoms of the containers are rounded and obviously won't stand up. So I found a drainage collar that fits perfectly....

Problem solved

I found them HERE

 

[sengsational]

Hello folks, I just posted a video that shows how I use the MHD system. Of course most of it would apply to Tap-A-Draft too.

It includes pretty much all of the details, beginning to end, on how I operate these mini-kegs, including a review of the equipment, how you can simplify your bottling day, how you can force carbonate, tricks to tapping, pouring and cleaning, and how you can take these kegs with you on the road.

I linked back to this thread for comments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2O1eTA_Lvo

 

[fbi365]

It was suggested upthread that you squeeze the tad bottles to reduce headspace. But I did this with my brand new tad and it resulted in permanent creases in the plastic. Be careful not to squeeze these very much if you are going to compress them to reduce headspace.

 

[Beernik]

Hello folks, I just posted a video that shows how I use the MHD system. Of course most of it would apply to Tap-A-Draft too.

It includes pretty much all of the details, beginning to end, on how I operate these mini-kegs, including a review of the equipment, how you can simplify your bottling day, how you can force carbonate, tricks to tapping, pouring and cleaning, and how you can take these kegs with you on the road.

I linked back to this thread for comments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2O1eTA_Lvo

Cool video. I appreciated it.

I'm considering TAD vs mini Kegs and a mini Kegerator like EdgeStar does vs a Party Pig.

 

[ianmatth]

How do I get the regulator on the current Tap-A-Draft system to pop an 8g N2O cartride? I read in some threads that the Tap-A-Draft could take 8g N2O cartridges, so I ordered a box of 24, however it seems the out on the 8g cartridges is too short even if I push them up into the regulator. All it seems to do is scrape the paint off the 8g cartiridge, it doesn't pop it all.

 

[brewbama]

Just recently picked up the TAD from more beer. I've noticed these over the years and figured they'd be a nice interim solution until I go with a full blow keg system.

My only current issue is that the bottoms of the containers are rounded and obviously won't stand up. So I found a drainage collar that fits perfectly....

Problem solved

I found them HERE

I cut a hole in a piece of wood to get to the same end.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[hyperslug]

How do I get the regulator on the current Tap-A-Draft system to pop an 8g N2O cartride? I read in some threads that the Tap-A-Draft could take 8g N2O cartridges, so I ordered a box of 24, however it seems the out on the 8g cartridges is too short even if I push them up into the regulator. All it seems to do is scrape the paint off the 8g cartiridge, it doesn't pop it all.

The old version of the tap used two 8g but the new one only uses 16g and I don't think there is any way to use 8g on the new one. Someone else may know something I don't.

 

[sengsational]

The old version of the tap used two 8g but the new one only uses 16g and I don't think there is any way to use 8g on the new one. Someone else may know something I don't.

The video I posted a few posts back in this thread has a way to accomplish using an 8g cartridge (skip to 10:35 or so in the video). Basically you take a 16g cartridge and cut it twice (once in the middle, and cut off the top). You then put some pennies in the bottom of the cut 16g cartridge until the overall length of the re-assembled cartridge is the same length, or slightly longer than the real 16g cartridge.

 

[Kahless]

My tap a draft arrived today (UK, so old version). I'm dissapointed in the packaging; single ply carboard box just big enough to fit the bottles, with CO2 cartidges loosely rolling around the bottom of the box. Nothing done to protect anything.

The bottles are pretty heavily bashed at the bottom and sides. I tried popping them out but it isn't working at the corners, and I'm worried about the structural integrity of the plastic as even after popping there are marks where it has weakened. When filled with water and sat on the feet, the bottle compresses at the bottom causing the bit inbetween the feet to bend in.

On top of that, there is some weird orange goo on the taps. I thought it might be rust at first, but on closer inspection it is sticky, rubbery, odourless and incredibly difficult to remove.
Is any of this normal?

 

[limulus]

I have TAD stuff and I have never seen that orange goo on any of my taps. That looks like it was used or someone carelessly spilled something on before packing. I have not used mine in a couple of years and would gladly give them to you but you are bit far away from Atlanta.

 

[Kahless]

Cheers for the thought limulus

According to the manufacturers it is vegetable oil that was used to ease things together during the initial assembly and is nothing to worry about. They say it should clean off with alcohol followed by a bit of warm water.
This didn't work though, at all, so I ended up mixing some baking soda in water and using an old toothbrush to get it clean. Took 45 minutes to scrub it all out as it was so sticky.

For the popped out bottles, I filled them with water, adding 3 tsp of baking soda and then 2 tsp of citric acid before quickly shutting the lid on; created enough gas to lightly pressurise and almost un-pop out 3 of the 4 bottles. At the same time I noticed that when under pressure the feet don't compress in when you leave it horizontally, so I don't have to worry about that either. Looks like I'll be bottling with them tomorrow