Which beer faucets do you prefer and why?

[VirginiaHops1]

I have little kids so I got the Perlick flow control so I could turn them off and hopefully avoid beer spills by their curious hands. They've worked fine thus far. I ended up adding another tap for my wife's sparkling water and got Intertap non-flow control because it didn't feel like spending as much money. That's also had no issues.

 

[NitrogenWidget]

I have the cheapie chrome plated taps.
have had them for about 4 - 1 yr because I keep expanding.
I put poppet springs in the ones without springs so they are self closing.

only time they stick is if I let them sit for a few weeks hooked up and unused which is almost never since I realized I need to just take them apart and let them soak when I go on vacation.

maybe i'll upgrade them if they ever start to fail but so far haven't had any leaks either.
maybe that's because I take them apart and clean them every few months and use keg lube on the seals and moving parts?

 

[Rhaop]

I have the cheapie chrome plated taps.
have had them for about 4 - 1 yr because I keep expanding.
I put poppet springs in the ones without springs so they are self closing.

only time they stick is if I let them sit for a few weeks hooked up and unused which is almost never since I realized I need to just take them apart and let them soak when I go on vacation.

maybe i'll upgrade them if they ever start to fail but so far haven't had any leaks either.
maybe that's because I take them apart and clean them every few months and use keg lube on the seals and moving parts?

I have basic chrome taps as well I never looked into using springs to help close them, mine also stick if not used every week or so

I have have a three keg keezer and undoubtedly there’s always one beer I prefer so the other two sit for weeks to possibly several months

 

[Jayjay1976]

So just an update, I've been running one Perlick and two Intertaps (with springs) for a few months now, and I have to say I prefer the Intertaps. I had a leak with the Perlick, losing the last two gallons of a nice Saison. It was a slow drip overnight and thank God I didn't have the gas line attached or I would have also lost 20lbs of CO2. I have tested the Intertap spring in the Perlick, and though it worked just fine the constant pressure on that floating seal concerned me. In fact, I suspect trying out the spring for one keg of beer might have deformed or damaged the oring eventually causing it to leak on the following keg.

Today I'm ordering the fourth and final faucet for my keezer and for some reason I find myself on the fence all over again. The Intertaps have performed flawlessly and are easy to disassemble and clean, I just like the Perlick design so much. Plus, my keezer will look better with two of each rather than having one oddball, and so I'm considering ordering another Perlick and installing shortened Intertap springs in both of them to reduce the spring force and hopefully prevent future leaks.

 

[Jayjay1976]

I'm sitting here imagining how I'm going to feel a month or two down the road when I lose a whole keg of beer and the rest of my CO2 with the Perlick that I knew not to trust. Aaaarrrghhh. What was I thinking??

Fuggit, I'm ordering the Intertap.

Sorry Perlick, but you really need to supply closing springs specifically designed for your faucets.

 

[Nate R]

I'm sitting here imagining how I'm going to feel a month or two down the road when I lose a whole keg of beer and the rest of my CO2 with the Perlick that I knew not to trust. Aaaarrrghhh. What was I thinking??

Fuggit, I'm ordering the Intertap.

Sorry Perlick, but you really need to supply closing springs specifically designed for your faucets.

You need to make a clean break! Get rid of the Perlicks all together! Don't look back!
I will PM you my address and help you along this quest. Throw 'em in a $12 flat rate USPS box and send 'em my may! I will pay shipping!

I for sure am OCD enough I would only ever want 1 brand/type of faucet for my 4 taps. I have the new style Perlick (non flow-control) and no springs. I have had zero issues ever. But I have heard about them for sure.
I did a keg of root beer once for my nephews, and had to replace ALL the interior gaskets. I bought spares, too.
I did try the Intertaps when they first came out- as I really thought the idea of interchangeable parts was cool. I took them back- I just did not like the feel compared to my Perlick. Also, The idea of a groove inside worries me- I know it is on the pour side, and cannot affect the keg of beer or really anything at all... but I don't know. Seems like an extra space for bad things to hide.

However- I would suggest someone here review the below- 2nd generation Intertaps! Very close to Perlick pricing though.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/nukatap-beer-faucet-stainless-steel.html?ref=1A

 

[Knightshade]

I've only ever had Intertap faucets and have no complaints. I put the springs in just because my kids need to negotiate a small space between the kegerator and my car to get to the 2nd fridge where extra juice is kept. They're old enough that they would close the tap if accidentally opened (maybe), and hopefully let me know if something happened..but ya know. One less thing to worry about..

 

[BBBF]

Today I'm ordering the fourth and final faucet for my keezer and for some reason I find myself on the fence all over again. The Intertaps have performed flawlessly and are easy to disassemble and clean, I just like the Perlick design so much. Plus, my keezer will look better with two of each rather than having one oddball, and so I'm considering ordering another Perlick and installing shortened Intertap springs in both of them to reduce the spring force and hopefully prevent future leaks.

If you decide you want to go with Perlicks, I have 1 630ss to go along with my 5 intertaps. I'd be happy to trade with you.

 

[Jayjay1976]

I've only ever had Intertap faucets and have no complaints. I put the springs in just because my kids need to negotiate a small space between the kegerator and my car to get to the 2nd fridge where extra juice is kept. They're old enough that they would close the tap if accidentally opened (maybe), and hopefully let me know if something happened..but ya know. One less thing to worry about..

"Extra juice" haha, when I was a kid I'd have stopped right at the keezer for a quick pull!

 

[Jayjay1976]

You need to make a clean break! Get rid of the Perlicks all together! Don't look back!
I will PM you my address and help you along this quest. Throw 'em in a $12 flat rate USPS box and send 'em my may! I will pay shipping!

I for sure am OCD enough I would only ever want 1 brand/type of faucet for my 4 taps. I have the new style Perlick (non flow-control) and no springs. I have had zero issues ever. But I have heard about them for sure.
I did a keg of root beer once for my nephews, and had to replace ALL the interior gaskets. I bought spares, too.
I did try the Intertaps when they first came out- as I really thought the idea of interchangeable parts was cool. I took them back- I just did not like the feel compared to my Perlick. Also, The idea of a groove inside worries me- I know it is on the pour side, and cannot affect the keg of beer or really anything at all... but I don't know. Seems like an extra space for bad things to hide.

However- I would suggest someone here review the below- 2nd generation Intertaps! Very close to Perlick pricing though.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/nukatap-beer-faucet-stainless-steel.html?ref=1A

Speaking as someone who is aesthetically trained I can say with some authority that the Nukatap is a hideous design, and don't get me started on that matte black option. I'd hide those inside the keezer like picnic taps.

 

[Yesfan]

Speaking as someone who is aesthetically trained I can say with some authority that the Nukatap is a hideous design, and don't get me started on that matte black option. I'd hide those inside the keezer like picnic taps.

I don't know......The black option does look kinda cool to me.

I have the Intertaps. I have had the Perlicks (525 and the 425) as well as the typical rear sealing cheapos.

I don't think the Intertaps are as smooth as the Perlicks. The 425 was probably my favorite of what I've had. I loved the ability to unscrew the tip for a growler and cleaning attachment. The 525s didn't have that option, so that was a key issue of me switching to the Intertaps.

Had I found a couple more of the 425s, I'd probably stayed with Perlick. It seems the Nukataps are supposed to be an even better version of the Intertaps with the ability to use the same attachments but have a smoother feel when pulling a tap. I'm more than happy with my Intertaps to not switch again.

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, I've been running the Intertap springs on my six 525SS faucets since the springs were made available at retail. Highly recommended.
Also, I've never had any issue with any of my Perls in well over a decade of use.
That all said, I can see the attractiveness of the Intertap faucet system with all the interesting and occasionally useful attachments.
Now, if they could just fit a faucet lock to 'em

Cheers!

 

[bracconiere]

LOL, i use picnic taps still...but thinking of making the plunge to some flow controlled ones in the future sometime.....

 

[NitrogenWidget]

still using cheap ebay faucets with keg poppit springs to close them.

 

[Broothru]

fwiw, I've been running the Intertap springs on my six 525SS faucets since the springs were made available at retail. Highly recommended.
Also, I've never had any issue with any of my Perls in well over a decade of use.
That all said, I can see the attractiveness of the Intertap faucet system with all the interesting and occasionally useful attachments.
Now, if they could just fit a faucet lock to 'em

Cheers!

So I've been following this thread due to leakage issues with my Perlick 630 FC taps. Got four of them, as well as two non-FC Perlicks. I've been using them for 5 or 6 years, mostly worry-free until the last few months when I started getting some leakage.

I'd tried the keg-mounted flow control quick disconnects but never could get a good flow dialed in. I finally ordered a Nukatap to see what the hype was all about, but haven't yet received it. I also ordered two Perlick rebuild kits from Kegworks that arrived yesterday, but they sent the wrong kit. To their credit they're making it right, no questions asked.

So in my thirst, I decided to disassemble one of the taps to inspect the inner workings. Keeping all the little parts straight for reassembly turned out to be more involved than I planned, but the job got done eventually. What surprised me most was how much accumulated gunk there was. I clean my lines regularly through the taps, but what I found was gross. After rinsing and soaking in PBW for an hour, everything was shiny and clean. All the parts looked good including the seals and gaskets. I was slow and meticulous with the reassembly, which was more difficult than I'd thought it would be. My hope was that my faucet issues would be cured with this thorough cleaning.

Sad to say there was still some minor leakage after drawing a glass, but seems less than before, so for now I'll just have to wait for the proper replacement parts to arrive. At least the teardown and rebuild will be easier now that I know how to do it.

I also think I've identified where the leak may be occurring. It's either the front seal 'doughnut' gasket or one (or both) small barrel gaskets on the compensator plunger.

Crazy as it sounds, it could possibly be the TAPHANDLE! A while back I rotated my tap handles with some big honkin' heavy duty brewery handles about 14" long with plenty of heft. Since these Perlicks don't have positive return springs, I'm wondering if just the mass and leverage of the handle might be preventing the flow shut-off ball from staying in place firmly at the front seal? Looking back, I don't remember having this issue before I put the brewery tap handles on the faucets. If I've still got leakage after a complete rebuild I'll probably be looking to replace with something that has a positive spring return, but I really like the looks and feel of the Perlick faucets.

Does anyone know if the Intertap FC faucets have return springs?

Brooo Brother

 

[LittleRiver]

...Does anyone know if the Intertap FC faucets have return springs?

You can't use return springs with FC faucets.

 

[sibelman]

... I'm wondering if just the mass and leverage of the handle might be preventing the flow shut-off ball from staying in place firmly at the front seal?

Brooo Brother

Thanks for this informative post, Bro. Please report on the outcome of the Perlick rebuild.

There are some online videos that might help with assembly. This is one:


I also added some tall/hefty handles to my Perlick 650SS's. One had a leaking event - rather a mess! Tightening the collar seemed to resolve the issue. I hadn't noticed that it was looser than the other three - just installed them without checking, and they all sealed fine initially.

Cheers.

 

[day_trippr]

Critically important to have the "Perl" line up properly with the spout O-ring. It is easy to mis-adjust the faucet lever arm such that the "Perl" is too high or too low to hit the O-ring perfectly. This alignment can be visualized through the spout...

Cheers!

 

[Jayjay1976]

Critically important to have the "Perl" line up properly with the spout O-ring. It is easy to mis-adjust the faucet lever arm such that the "Perl" is too high or too low to hit the O-ring perfectly. This alignment can be visualize through the spout...

Cheers!

THANK YOU @day_trippr for sharing that tip.
BTW, I'm ordering another Perlick. And two Intertap springs.

It was probably my fault it leaked; I did disassemble it and there was some hop residue in that beer. So long as I use closing springs I shouldn't have to worry about leaking.

 

[Nate R]

THANK YOU @day_trippr for sharing that tip.
BTW, I'm ordering another Perlick. And two Intertap springs.

It was probably my fault it leaked; I did disassemble it and there was some hop residue in that beer. So long as I use closing springs I shouldn't have to worry about leaking.

I think it probably was the tap handles. The Perlicks are very finicky. Gotta close 'em up just right.
Also- FWIW- I am a little OCD when it comes to cleaning. I clean my lines a lot. When I do, I pull the faucets open and closed a few time (quickly!) while pumping cleaning solution (and later with rinse water) through them. I do this just for the reason you described- since I cannot see what is inside of them, I want to get as many little nooks and crannies as possible.

I think it is fair to say either of the forward-sealing brands will be much cleaner inside than a traditional rear closing faucets... so there is that.

 

[Broothru]

Critically important to have the "Perl" line up properly with the spout O-ring. It is easy to mis-adjust the faucet lever arm such that the "Perl" is too high or too low to hit the O-ring perfectly. This alignment can be visualized through the spout...

Cheers!

Now THAT makes sense. I had backed the knurled collar nut on the faucet lever off a quarter turn so that the taphandle would snug up square with the front of the kegerator. The Perl is likely misaligned with the front seal o-ring.

Is there an easy way to determine if the alignment is too high or too low? The leak is significantly less that now than before it was disassembled, so I assume my "eyeball alignment" during reassembly is closer to correct alignment.

I can't believe this didn't occur to me before. Thanks for pointing it up.

Brooo Brother

 

[Broothru]

THANK YOU @day_trippr for sharing that tip.
BTW, I'm ordering another Perlick. And two Intertap springs.

It was probably my fault it leaked; I did disassemble it and there was some hop residue in that beer. So long as I use closing springs I shouldn't have to worry about leaking.

IIRC you mentioned earlier that your Perlicks were non-FC, and you were able to use spring inserts to help keep the valve closed. I'm thinking that the springs wouldn't work on FC faucets since the compensator plunger would likely get in the way. Any insight?

 

[GreenEnvy22]

I've got a Mish Mash just in the garage so I don't care that they don't match. I even have a piece of silicon hose acting as a handle on one of them while I build my wood chalkboard handles.


Here you can see my keezer doing double duty holding my hops dryer.

 

[day_trippr]

IIRC you mentioned earlier that your Perlicks were non-FC, and you were able to use spring inserts to help keep the valve closed. I'm thinking that the springs wouldn't work on FC faucets since the compensator plunger would likely get in the way. Any insight?

I think this was mentioned earlier, but neither Perlick not Intertap FC faucets are going to gain any function even if you can get the spring behind the compensator. The spring moves the shuttle or the "Perl" towards the spout, and compensators don't slide...

Cheers!

 

[Broothru]

Also- FWIW- I am a little OCD when it comes to cleaning. I clean my lines a lot. When I do, I pull the faucets open and closed a few time (quickly!) while pumping cleaning solution (and later with rinse water) through them. I do this just for the reason you described- since I cannot see what is inside of them, I want to get as many little nooks and crannies as possible.

I think it is fair to say either of the forward-sealing brands will be much cleaner inside than a traditional rear closing faucets... so there is that.

That was my cleaning process as well which is why I was surprised at how much crud there was inside the faucet when I took it apart. First time I ever tore down a Perlick. For sure I'll be doing it as routine going forward.

Forward seal faucets should be cleaner that rear seal, and easier to clean as well. The flow control mechanism adds a lot of complexity to the design however with a bunch of additional "hiding places" for gunk that will only get removed by breaking it down.

Brooo Brother

 

[day_trippr]

[...]
Is there an easy way to determine if the alignment is too high or too low? The leak is significantly less that now than before it was disassembled, so I assume my "eyeball alignment" during reassembly is closer to correct alignment.[...]

"Easy" is too relative to judge, but I will say it's easiest to do with the faucet removed as it's easiest to look up the spout in good light.

This whole revelation occurred when I was fitting my faucets to my first keezer T-tower, and one of the six had a slow drippy leak. I fiddled with it, compared it to the other five, then finally took it off and really studied what the heck was supposed to happen. With good light I was able to watch the travel of the "Perl" ball and realized the bonnet had been over-tightened such that the ball was clearly arriving "too high" wrt the floating O-ring in the spout. I adjusted the bonnet to effectively lengthen the pivot arm which lowered the ball, and just tweaked around with it 'til it looked like it nailed the O-ring dead center.

Never had another problem...

Cheers!

 

[Broothru]

"Easy" is too relative to judge, but I will say it's easiest to do with the faucet removed as it's easiest to look up the spout in good light.

This whole revelation occurred when I was fitting my faucets to my first keezer T-tower, and one of the six had a slow drippy leak. I fiddled with it, compared it to the other five, then finally took it off and really studied what the heck was supposed to happen. With good light I was able to watch the travel of the "Perl" ball and realized the bonnet had been over-tightened such that the ball was clearly arriving "too high" wrt the floating O-ring in the spout. I adjusted the bonnet to effectively lengthen the pivot arm which lowered the ball, and just tweaked around with it 'til it looked like it nailed the O-ring dead center.

Never had another problem...

Cheers!

I've gotten a lot of great advice on this forum over the last few years, but this is one of the best and most immediately helpful. Thank you!

Brooo Brother

 

[b-boy]

I will never say any thing bad about Perlicks. I have about 12 of them, and I've never had a drip or a failure. Recently I upgraded my main kegerator to the flow control taps. They are great. Highly recommended.

 

[day_trippr]

Ugh. Re-reading my last post, while the end point remains - you want the ball to hit the spout O-ring dead nuts in the middle - I got the details backward.
You want to loosen the bonnet nut to get the ball to move "up" and tighten it to get the ball to move "down", relative to the spout O-ring...

Cheers!

 

[jcav]

I love my Perlicks! I also have a Mircomatic Stout Faucet that I use on my nitro setup which is awesome as well! I use the springs on my Perlicks to keep the valve closed and they work great, but they are not the flow control model.

John