I am setting up my kegerator and would like recommendations on the best place to buy the following items: 1 - Stainless steel faucets with 4 inch stainless steel shanks. The best price I have found is $70 for the complete kit. 2 -Stainless steel Sankey keg tap with ball converters. The best price I have found is $60 for the complete kit. Is there somewhere that I can get better prices for these items or is this about as good as it gets? Thanks!
Like everything else, it depends. There are cheap stainless faucets and there are good stainless faucets. What brand are you buying and from where? Forward closing or rear closing? How many faucets are you buying? You pluralized which suggests more than one. Same thing for the couplers. One thing that is true, just like it is for everything else, you get what you pay for. Need more info to answer your questions.
Great questions! I am setting up three corny kegs and a 1/6 commercial keg in a fridge. I'd like 4 faucets that will give me the best return on investment. I feel very undereducated on what is the best choice. I believe stainless would be the right way to go in order to avoid replacing a deteriorating chrome plated model in the not so distant future. I also get the impression that front closing faucets are better engineered than rear closing so I have been leaning towards that as well. Here is the set up at Northern Brewer: http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/kegging/ball-lock-keg-kegerator-conversion-kit
Stainless is indeed the way to go, and IMO front closers are better. You can buy Perlick faucets for $35 all day long, so you are essentially paying another $35 for the shank. Seems steep to me.
Try Micromatic. They are known for high prices, but I'd bet they are cheaper than the set you are looking at. Check ebay for the Perlicks.
Here's what I found AIH $87 http://www.homebrewing.org/Faucet-Shank-Assembly-stainless-steel--ball-or-pin-lock_p_2912.html More Beer $70 but it's rear closing http://www.morebeer.com/products/stainless-faucetknobshank.html
that is a beautiful set up that should give you years of service. the chrome handle is nice. you may want to go all out and get a chrome or brushed stainless escutcheon cover as well. that is pretty bad ass and will look great on stained oak or anything really. finally, try to get the 3/16" by 7/16" beverage line, and not the 3/16" x 5/16" size. the wall is thicker and works better. may as well do it right. Cheers.
To add to this theme: Check how much beer line you need and buy twice as much ... you will end up using it and much less stress when balancing. Same with most all accessories; go ahead and spring for extra tailpiece gaskets, hose clamps, the whole nine yards. It's false economy to try and go cheap; plan on getting a faucet wrench, brushes for faucet/diptube, & line cutter. You'll end up with all of this, but life is easier if you start from the git-go. Pass on the 5-piece o-ring kits you see everywhere, you can buy these guys in bulk for pennies. Finally, it's never too early to be on the lookout for your spare CO2 tank. You're gonna love kegging.
