One of the most common causes of this is an improperly installed tap handle. If the handle is not fitted correctly on to the tap, it can cause it to stick when being turned.
Another reason can be that the collar which locks the beer tap in place may be too tight or not properly lubricated. This can cause the threads to become too tight, making it difficult to turn.
A third reason can be that the beer tap itself has become gunked up with sediment and old beer. If this is the case, it can make it difficult for the tap to open and close properly, resulting in it sticking.
The best way to fix this problem is to ensure that the handle is fitted properly, and that the collar is not too tight or improperly lubricated. If the tap still sticks, it should be thoroughly cleaned with a beer line cleaner to remove any build up of sediment or old beer.
If all else fails, it might be necessary to replace the tap entirely.
How do you remove a keg tap handle?
Removing a keg tap handle is relatively straightforward. First, with a hand towel or cloth, you will want to grip the handle firmly in order to protect your hands from getting injured by sharp edges.
Next, make sure to take precautionary steps so the pressure from the keg does not rush the beer out. To do this, you will need to pull the keg’s handle slightly forward, towards you. This in turn should release the gas pressure.
You will then see a plastic ring wrap around the entire handle of the keg tap. Twist the handle counter-clockwise toremove the tap handle. Carefully take the tap handle off of the keg and set it aside.
To ensure the tap handle is completely detached and that no leftover beer is spilling out of the keg, you will want to replace the metal washer, which is visible once the handle is removed. Place the metal washer around where you removed the tap handle and tighten gently.
At this point you can either replace the tap handle with a new one, or move onto cleaning and storing the parts for later use.
How do you unscrew a keg?
Unscrewing a keg requires specific tools and a knowledge of how kegs work. The process is fairly straightforward, but should always be done carefully.
Firstly, you’ll need to locate the integrated valve on the keg. Each company makes these valves a bit differently, so it might not be in the same exact spot on each keg. You’ll also need a spanner wrench, or a “Keg Key” with 7/8″ and 3/4″ jaws.
Now it’s time to begin. Put the keg in an upright position and place the spanner wrench squarely over the opening of the valve. Now, simply unscrew the valve counter-clockwise until it’s completely detached from the keg.
When this happens, the gas release valve should open, and the beer should start to flow out. Once it’s all out, unscrew the lid of the keg and remove it.
If you’re having difficulty unscrewing the valve, try using some lubricant or an adjustable wrench. If that still doesn’t work, you can get help from a professional or an experienced friend with brewing.
Unscrewing a keg shouldn’t be too difficult with the right tools and knowledge. Always handle it carefully and properly to avoid any accidents.
What is a beer Shank?
A beer Shank is a piece of specialized hardware used to connect a beer shank faucet to a beer keg. The beer shank should be securely mounted inside of your bar or pub, allowing beer lines to feed from the back of the wall into your beer keg.
Beer Shanks consist of a 4 or 6-inch length of stainless steel or brass tubing with barbs at each end. The barb end of the shank is inserted into the body of the faucet and the opposite end is attached to the beer line.
The beer line is generally made of a longer length of flexible food grade tubing. This allows the beer line to safely reach the beer keg while still having enough flexibility to protect the beer line and prevent damage due to excessive pulling on the lines.
Beer Shanks also often have a hex nut on one end, used to secure the shank to the body of the faucet.
How does a beer shank work?
A beer shank is a device that is used to connect a beer keg to a draft system. The device consists of a short metal shaft with a threaded female fitting on one end and a threaded male fitting at the other.
The male fitting is connected to a beer faucet on the outside of the draft system, while the female fitting is connected to a beverage line inside the draft system. When the two fittings are connected and tightened, beer is allowed to flow through the beverage line and out of the beer faucet.
The beer shank also has an interior cylinder with a rubber washer or o-ring that helps create a better seal to reduce air leaks. To ensure seal is tight, the exterior of the shank is often bent slightly with an adjustable wrench to ensure a snug fit.
What are the different types of beer taps?
There are several different types of beer taps, each type providing its own unique character when pouring beer. The most popular types of beer taps are generally divided into the following categories:
Gravity Keg: A gravity keg is the most traditional type of beer tap. This type of tap uses a spout that relies on gravity to dispense beer. This can be used for a wide range of beers and is typically found in home bars or smaller pubs.
Pressure Keg: Pressure kegs are the most common type of beer tap and are typically found in pubs and bars. They use air pressure to dispense beer, usually with the help of a CO2 or mixed gas cartridge.
This type of tap is great for a variety of beers, such as lagers, pilsners, and ales.
Glycol Cooled Keg: A glycol cooled keg is a type of pressure keg that is ideal for serving cold beers. As the name implies, glycol is used to cool beer before it is dispensed. This helps keep the beer at a consistent temperature and prevent it from foaming.
Randall Keg: A Randall keg is a unique type of beer tap that uses a filter to infuse beer with flavorings and aromatics. The beer is then served through a tapped filter, allowing you to control the levels of flavor, aroma, and hop bitterness.
This type of tap is great for experimenting with different flavors, as well as serving fresh IPAs and other hoppy beers.
Home Kegs: Home kegs are a type of tap designed for home use. They’re usually small enough to fit in a refrigerator and often come with their own pressurized CO2 system. Home kegs are great for people who want to serve fresh beer without the need to visit a pub.
Hand Pumps: Hand pumps are an old-fashioned type of beer tap. They rely on an airtight seal and manual pressure to dispense beer. This makes them great for cask-conditioned or real ale, as manual pumping helps the beer remain carbonated and fresh for longer.
Hand pumps are often found in traditional pubs.
Why is my keg tap not working?
That can be a tricky problem to solve. The first thing you should do is to check the connection of the tap to the keg coupling. Make sure the tap is securely inserted into the keg coupling and that all the connections are properly sealed and tight.
Also, make sure the gas valve is opened and the gas is turned on, and check for any buildup of liquid in lines. If everything looks okay but the tap still isn’t working, you may need to replace it with a new one.
If the tap is definitely working but you’re not getting any beer from it, that would mean your beer line might be clogged. You can try cleaning the beer line with a keg cleaner or replacing it with a new one.
If you still can’t get the tap working, you may need to contact a professional for assistance.
How often should you clean keg lines?
Keg lines should be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure they remain clean, functional, and safe. Generally, most commercial lines should be cleaned and sanitized at least every two weeks. For home keg lines, it is recommended that you disassemble and clean your keg lines after every 5-6 uses to help reduce bacteria, yeast, and hop residue that can reduce the quality and flavor of your beers.
It is important to note that if your lines are used for different types of beer, you will need to clean them with a more thorough cleaning procedure that includes special cleaning agents, after every beer change.
It is also advisable to flush your lines with water following each beer change to remove some of the residual particulate. Cleaning and sanitizing keg lines regularly is essential to ensure they remain in good condition and produce good quality beer on a consistent basis.
What chemical is used to clean beer lines?
Beer line cleaning involves using a specialized chemical solution that is specifically designed to remove beer residue, yeast, molds, and other organic matter from the interior of beer lines. A common chemical used to clean beer lines is phosphoric acid, which is mixed with water to create a cleaning solution.
Phosphoric acid is a colorless, odorless, and relatively non-volatile chemical compound that is not only effective at breaking down organic residue, but is also non-corrosive and biodegradable. Additionally, unlike other cleaning agents such as caustic soda, products containing phosphoric acid are more eco-friendly and do not introduce harmful chemical residues into your beer line.
The cleaning solution is typically applied with a specialized spray nozzle, and the entire cleaning process usually takes no more than 15 minutes.
Can you use baking soda to clean beer lines?
Yes, baking soda can be used to clean beer lines. Baking soda is an inexpensive, natural cleaner that can effectively remove stubborn residue, proteins, and other particles from beer lines. To use baking soda to clean beer lines, mix 1 part baking soda with 5 parts hot water and stir to dissolve.
Pour the mixture into the beer line and circulate it for a few minutes; you may need to help the circulator pump the mixture through the line if necessary. After the baking soda has been circulated through the beer lines, flush the beer lines with hot water two or three times to clear out any remaining baking soda residue.
After the flushing, give the beer lines a final rinse with a sanitizing solution like iodophor or Star San. This process should be done at least every four to six weeks to ensure that beer lines remain clean, sanitized, and free of clogs and other blockages.
What is the handle on a beer tap called?
The handle on a beer tap is also known as a “faucet handle. ” This piece of metal is typically connected to the stem, which is the actual piece of the draft system that pours the beer out of the keg.
It is important that this piece is kept clean and free of any debris or residue because it directly affects the taste of the beer that is being poured. The handle is fitted with a knob which needs to be pulled forward in order to open the faucet and release the beer.
It is also important to ensure that the handle is centered when it is not in use so that it does not shift or break when being used.
Are beer tap handles universal?
No, beer tap handles are not universal. Each beer tap handle is designed to fit a specific tap, so it is important to find the correct tap handle for your keg. Most beer tap handles are designed to fit a specific size, style, and thread type of faucet, either U. S.
Standard or European Standard. U. S. standard faucets are commonly used by American beer tap manufacturers, and are recognizable for a flat end with a slight flare at the base. On the other hand, European Standard faucets have a rounded end with a nut at the base.
It is also possible to find universal beer tap handles, but they are not very common and may not fit specific types of taps. Additionally, your bar may have custom beer taps and handles, so it is important to measure the threads of your faucet before purchasing a beer tap handle.
