I'm looking to buy several items for the keg system and wanted to know who is great to deal with and what part #'s, etc are recommended. I didn't see any area on the message board on vendor/sponsors. This is my immediate need: 1) Beer line for the Bev-Air BM-23. I may have to add some footage to finish balancing the system, however it is a little difficult to do with Sam Adams since V/v is not given out. I mainly stick to those kinds of beers and currently have the beer at 38 degrees with 10 PSI CO2 applied (I believe I read that they suggest 38-40 deg at 12-14 psi). I would have to add some beer line footage (I believe; just not sure how much extra) in order to reduce foam to get to that range. 10 PSI pours great (Any higher produces too much foam for my liking); beer tastes fine. I may wait to do this with a beer product I like with known V/v. I don't want to under-carbonate and lose taste. 2) Beer line cleaning system. The manual pump systems appar to be a minor hassle and don't clean the couplers involved? But the ones that are pressurized with CO2 do; just have to buy adapter for each coupler (I only use D & S for now). Then what type cleaner? Liquid BLC? Powder? Tablets? 3) Faucets: I'm doing okay now with the standard unit; it only sticks a little if I don't move the tap handle for days; shame on me if I can't have a cold one within that timeframe (Hasn't been a problem yet!!). I was reading about issues with the stainless steel Perlick ones where evidently a re-design is in-process, or possibly done by now. I'd hate to wait and still get one of the older units from leftover stock. I don't mind spending money on good stuff, but hate wasting it. Thanks for any help. Can't wait to get home and get to drinking the Winter Lager I just tapped!!
Just buy from Micromatic.. They have the beer line 3/16" idhttp://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/hoses-pid-547C.html . They also have cleaners. The ck1100 pump kit.http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/line-cleaning-pid-CK-1100.html or if you wanna upgrade to the systems you tap and draw from faucet.http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/line-cleaning-pid-M5-801147-CK.html Also Sam adams is a V/V of 2.55
Hi Jeff this is my two cents. Micromatic is a very good resource. They have quality parts and more importantly, you can talk to a genuine draft beer specialist if you call and ask for inside sales. Micromatic is also the manufacturer or supplier for many resellers. a lot of homebrew suppliers, even the big ones, are hopeless when it comes to draft beer setup. and any large retailer that does draft as a side biz will be zero help. Perlick forward seal faucets are (525 SS) are a professional product. you can't get em at Micromatic though. you would have a difficult time finding better quality too. they work as advertised and feel solid in the hand, the way God intended draft beer to be. personally, I recommend you buy a roll of beverage tubing. pull the old tubing and replace with new when needed. disassemble the faucet occasionally and soak in 5-Star PBW. if you do this once a month you'll probably never have a problem. also, don't get overly caught up in achieving the absolute perfect vols in your beer. if you get within 90% of your target you'll likely never know the difference. once your dialed in, very minor changes, if any, or usually all that is needed. especially if your beer styles do not vary too much. Beverage Factory is reputable and well stocked. many folks are happy. Cheers.
Oh and far as cleaners everybody has there favorites.. I like BLC and alternate to the DLC every now and then. Powders get all over the place.. Liquid easier to control. and to edit prior post. This pressure cleaning bottle works on "D" and "S" system couplers. This is what I use. Only negative is some couplers engage better than others with out leaking some co2 while cleaning. http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/line-cleaning-pid-CK-6000A.html
My two cents: Micromatic is great, and a good resource. Beer line is cheap enough that you shouldn't waste a whole lot of time price shopping it, and you should always have some extra. I agree with Bill on the 525SS faucets, great product. They never stick, ever. They do flow faster which can lead to foam, so all things being equal you probably want to add length to the lines at the same time. I have always used powdered BLC with the hand pump bottle from Micromatic. I put the coupler in the catch bucket along with the faucets and brush and clean them all at the end of the process. At 10 psi you are probably a little low for the 2.55 / 38 and will eventually undercarb the beer.
Just to clarify when I was saying BLC I was referring to National chemcials cleaner called BLC. DougC says a powder BLC"Beer Line Cleaner" from Micromatic.Totally different stuff.BLC was never offered in a powder.Micromatic hasn't had actual BLC in like 10 years since they switched to their own brand stuff.After using them both. I think the BLC brand is superior. http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/cleaning/chemical/NC-203.shtml And if you got tough grime in the lines.. DLC
Thanks for all the replies- very helpful. I have 2 questions on balancing the system now; 1] Since Sam Adams is 2.55 V/V [thanks Zero], and I'm at 38 degrees @ 10 psi, Doug says I'll eventually under carb the beer, which I'd rather avoid if I can. I'd need almost 12 psi @ 38 deg, but going that high of psi causes too much foam. Is there a formula on how much beer line footage to add in order to get the same good flow at 12 psi a I have at 10 psi for a better balanced system? 2] I could adjust beer temp to 34.5 deg and keep co2 at 10 psi. I get cold beer that is kept balanced. Are there drawbacks to this approach? At least until I can add proper amount of beer line to do 38 deg at 12 psi?
There are calculators for beer line, most home brew sites have a link or two to one. I would just buy 10' and cut back in 6" increments until you are happy. This is how I did both of my lines and actually never got to cutting them back, they are fine at 10'. 34.5 is awfully cold, drinking that will numb your taste buds.
Hmm. My kegerator came with 5 ft of beer line. If you see no issues in doubling it to 10 ft, I'll start with that. I think it's needed for a much better balanced system.
There really isn't any harm in it, it takes about a minute each time to cut back if you're not happy with it. If your unit has a crimped on end on the existing line you will need a barbed tailpiece. You might as well get a new nut to ensure it is properly matched with the tailpiece.
