Pressure Barrel tap

[britton]

Does anyone have an idea for an improved tap for a pressure barrel? I find the standard ones can leak a bit and can cause foaming when pouring.

 

[stephen1546]

I had the same issue, do you put a smear of Vaseline around the tap. Ive since gone on to glass bottles which ive found more reliable.

 

[terrym]

If you have a standard PB with a 2" cap you are most likely to have a 'Quick serve' screw in tap with a tapered thread. As far as I am aware there are no alternatives to this. If it drips make sure the tap is at 90* to the PB in the off position to ensure it is closed properly. You can take these to pieces (with some difficulty) but there is no guarantee you will be any better off when you have re-assembled it with or without Vaseline. The alternative is to buy another tap, they are cheap enough.
If its a 4" cap PB with a backing nut tap you can buy more expensive dispensing taps but I have read that their performance is still a bit iffy. Others may be able to help on this.
And for foaming the solution is simple, just take longer to dispense your beer allowing the foam to subside before you top up.

 

[britton]

Thanks for the replies, yes I do take longer to pour but it can be tedious especially when having guests!

 

[Kybren]

My main problem with the tap is I always snap the leaver off so have to dispense the beer with help of swan neck pliers.
But mine seem not.to be tapered just have a seal, only one I had tapered was a cider barrel

 

[HxPaul]

I've replaced 2 of my barrel taps with sparkler taps. They've made a massive difference to the pour. They're on eBay for £20.

 

[britton]

Hi, do you have a link please?

 

[HxPaul]

Look at this on eBay https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/390729566367

 

[britton]

Thanks

 

[terrym]

Look at this on eBay https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/390729566367

But do note these are probably only suitable for 4" cap PBs where the tap has a backing nut which you can access. 2" cap PBs are fitted with a reducing thread for the tap and this may not take the parallel thread fitted to the sparkler tap.
Unless, of course, anyone has got round this potential problem.

 

[Clint]

Dunno about the tapered thread but sure I've seen a Flexi spanner of some description that would fit through a two inch cap and hold the nut..

 

[keat64]

when you close the tap, don't rotate the handle all the way.
Ensure you stop at 90 degrees.