PITA Budget Barrels

[hairybiker]

The first link doesn't bring anything up... what is it you are referring to? Yes, you are correct with the 2nd link, that is what came with the barrel.

Funnily enough, i work 5 mins from the hop and grape shop, so it's very handy for me to pick stuff up from there, even though i think it's expensive for yeast and hops. Kits are comparable with online stores tough, and there is no postage if i jsut pick them up, plus always happy to help with nay questions i've had in the past.

Pahh! The W&D tap isn't on the web site any more! If you visit and ask for a w&d tap they will know what you want, otherwise look at the "real" barrels they will all have w&d taps fitted. They are usually white with knurled tops and about 1" dia on the thread.

Just thought if you only have a 2" cap you will not be able to fit this, unless you have thin arms As a nut needs to be fitted on the back of the tap inside the barrel. If it is a 4" cap then you will have no problems.

 

[soupdragon]

I don't know what a drum tap is?

Drum tap http://www.barleybottom.com/menu/product/&ID=336 Rollover the picture for a larger image.

For what it's worth, the only problem I've ever had with the cheap barrels was when I over tightened the cap and lost the seal. The cap really doesn't have to be that tight to give a good seal. The taps can leak if not tightened enough but I've not had a problem....... So far at least :whistle:
The most troublesome of all my barrels is a King Keg with a top tap. Leaks like a sieve :x

Cheers Tom

 

[shearclass]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

I think the term "Budget" speaks for its self!

Even so, i think they should be fit for purpose!

if the seal is deforming, you are screwing it in too tight. Only captive seals will not deform under pressure - because they are 'trapped' by the surrounding metal.

Unfortunately if you've been over tightening things, the plastic threads will suffer, in which case I'd recommend witting a tap with it's own collar, so you aren't relying on the kegs threads.

I was told by the lady at the hop and grape that i should tighten it as much as i could, when i contacted them to report a leak from the seal on the tap. i added a bit of vaseline and tightened ti as much as possible. It still leaked a bit, so this time i thought i would take tap out, cean, add vaseline, add extra washer to keep the seal in place, and tighten. However, when i tried to do this i realised the thread had gone, and i was unable to tighten it sufficiently.

I have two of these, and the other one has been leaking too, so no doubt i'll have the same problem when i take the tap out to add an extra washer once the beer has gone.

in the end, like i said above, i added thread tap and aradite, and hopefully glued the tap in place. I ignored the warning on the packet regarding not using araldite on anything containing food or drink.

PTFE tape

What's this? is this the 'thread tape' i refer to above, (this being what the guy in the hardware shop called it)

I tried Vas but as said it just made it easier for the rubber seal to be pushed outwards which is why, after some researching, I started using PTFE on the thread instead of Vas on the seal and released a bit of pressure every now and again which worked for me

the rubber seal being pushed out is why i added the washer to keep it in place.

Just thought if you only have a 2" cap you will not be able to fit this, unless you have thin arms

Yeah it's a very narrow cap, can't get my arms in!

 

[evanvine]

I ignored the warning on the packet regarding not using araldite on anything containing food or drink.

A friend of mine broke his front tooth off near the root, so he stuck it back on with Araldite.
It lasted over 25 years without giving him any problems.