I wanted to get everyone's opinion, what is the best and most dependable regulator to purchase? I know that there are many that are pieces of junk. I'm currently having a problem with my CO2 leaking and I've tested w/bubbles, etc, and can't seem to find the leak...so makes me think I need to upgrade my regulator. Also, where do you buys purchase most of your beer equipment items (if done online)? Any thoughts or help you can provide on my problem is much appreciated! Thanks!
I am partial to Taprite regulators. Good regulator, great value. We have probably hundreds in the field and they do just fine. Cornelius. Chudnow (no experience) Norgren. Buy a brand name item, avoid no name bargain basement parts. Trust me on this. Do not get a $20 regulator, or if you do buy 4. If you have a leak how do you know it is your regulator? Anyplace, Amazon, that has the brand name units are fine. Micromatic has excellent regulators BTW, but they are God awful expensive. The "Pro" regulator is just ridiculous retail if you ask me. Cheers
Thanks for the input! The only reason I think it's something with the regulator is bc I've pretty much checked everything else and it was fine. Have you had this problem where the CO2 keeps getting drained?
I have a Taprite and it has been okay, actually a decent compromise between price and dependability. But you really want to find that leak before you break down and replace your reg. A couple of ideas: Crank up the pressure to 50 psi, then treat all the fitting with starsan (homebrewers) or water/detergent mix (everybody else). You really should make some bubbles. If still not finding a leak you can isolate the different areas of the gas lines. I. E, close your shutoff valves and pressurize the reg to 50, then close the tank master shut off valve (and leave overnight). If this holds pressure your leak is downstream. Open a shut off valve (one at a time) and repeat the process with your coupler off the keg. If still no leak then connect the coupler to keg and pressurize again. Somewhere during the process you'll have a pressure drop and that's the source. Also, don't be afraid to dunk your coupler in a bucket of water (or shut off valves if you can get a bucket up there) . . . hard to miss any bubbles this way.
Following PortLargo's instructions using my leak detector kit will net positive results...and as an added bonus, all of your equipment will be shiny-clean when wiped down.
PortLargo, thanks for such detailed instructions! I still think I will upgrade my regulator, but I'm also going to follow your directions on the leak detection to see what I'm working with.
The last leak I had was one the coupler; the hex nut holding the gas hoes nipple/check valve was slightly loose. I had did all my previous troubleshooting with my "D Coupler" installed. When I went to install the "S Coupler", didn't notice the nut being loose. Kind of odd since you have to remove the gas house from this nipple to change out couplers. Sometimes the obvious is not so obvious.
