Top or Bottom Tap.

[Titus A Duxass]

Just a quick question.

What is generally considered as the best for a beginner - a pressure keg/barrel with a top tap or one with a bottom tap.

I was convinced that the top tap was the way to go until I read Mr. Wheeler's book - now I'm not sure.

Cheers
TAD

 

[Runwell-Steve]

I would go with a budget barrel with the tap at the bottom.

I wouldn't ever go near a King Keg again, which is probably what you are thinking of as a Top Tap keg.

The problems with Top Taps are.

1. If you lose pressure in the keg you can't get the beer it without regassing.
2. If the float flips up the wrong way you can't get any beer out, just gas.

The problems with King Kegs are

1. The big 4 inch cap is a PITA to seal correctly.
2. When new they generally won't seal as the moulds aren't perfect so you usually have to smooth the seals yourself.
3. Personally I am not convinced about the quality of King Kegs, I had 3 of them and they all split, my budget barrels were always fine.

 

[PD]

Go with Mr Wheeler don't bother looking at a top tap

 

[Titus A Duxass]

Bottom tap it is then.

Cheers chaps, just about to go and spend 100+ quid on brewing gear.
Just got to find the correct supplier now.

 

[pittsy]

plastic kegs are fine , as long as you want low carbonation beers like IPA or stouts etc but if you want a lager , belgian ale , wheat beer etc then best to bottle (glass) and in the future corny kegs (the pub style kegs for fizzy pop etc ) .I have 3 king kegs (top tap ) and they are great however i brew the latter beers so i bottle every thing ( haven't gotten around to brewing english ales yet)

 

[pittsy]

p.s the taps are crap on plastic kegs giving you a foamy pint (unless you buy a better tap or add plastic pipe to em )

 

[Titus A Duxass]

Thanks for the response.
I know plastic kegs are fine for low carbonation (IPA, etc.) - that's why I am buying 2.
If I want fizzy beir I can get it dirt cheap.

My question was only about the tap position.

 

[TRXnMe]

My collection of kegs is an even split between top tap and bottom tap.

The top tap type offers more potential for stuff to go wrong. The first time I used a top tap keg the pipe from the float to the tap kinked and blocked the beer from getting out, I had to transfer to another keg, reprime and wait for my beer

Since then I check the tube more carefully and haven't had a repeat, however, sanitising them does take a little longer due to the tube and float.

My collection is 5 king / roto kegs and one budget keg, I'vev had no problems with any of them apart from the kinked pipe, the king / rota kegs feel much more substanstial and take the S30 cylinder so they're cheaper to gas than the budget keg.

Apart from the budget keg, the others were all bought secondhand for under 30 quid each delivered, so don't blow your wedge on new, eBay is loaded with secondhand stuff if you are patient :)