[roguejim]

So, I'm at the point to buy my 4 faucets for the fridge door, and I see that Perlicks are the most expensive of the bunch.  Why?  Do they have a longer lifespan under normal usage?  I'm trying to justify spending the additional money.

What are the issues, if any, with chrome faucets?

I'm also considering the faucets with a brass finish.  Will the chrome, and brass finishes flake?

Thanks.

[bonjour]

In a non-commercial application such as a home kegerator,
do NOT under any circumstances even consider another faucet type other that a forward seal faucet.  Perlick's are forward seal faucets.

Standard faucets will stick if they are not regularly used and I have broken them trying to open one.  If you buy a standard tap it will work (It's what I did) but eventually you will end up buying the Perlicks.

For an application like a jockey box, where the tap is used for a weekend then cleaned and put away until the next time any faucet will work.

For a home application go with a forward seal faucet.

[Slowbrew]

I started out with chrome faucets and later upgrade to Perlicks for one reason.  Forward seals.

If you don't use a chrome faucet for a couple of days it will dry out and get stuck like concrete.  The Perlick faucets are forward seal faucets and will still "pop" a little after a couple of days but you will never think you are going to break off the handle trying to force it to open.

A little more money up front would have saved me buying them twice.

Paul

[Kit B]

PM sent.

[Kit B]

After a second thought...
Maybe I should share the information I have, with everyone.

I found good prices on Perlicks, here:
http://www.ritebrew.com/category-s/1909.htm

[hamiltont]

After a second thought...
Maybe I should share the information I have, with everyone.

I found good prices on Perlicks, here:
http://www.ritebrew.com/category-s/1909.htm

~$50 for a complete setup (faucet, shank, tail piece, nut, washer & knob) is not a bad deal today. As others have said. You will eventually spend the money so you might as well pony up now & do it right.  Cheers!!!

[roguejim]

Thanks for the advice.  Perlick it is.

How's this deal> http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/faucets/EB525SSSHANK4___17455.shtml?bstr=1

[hamiltont]

Thanks for the advice.  Perlick it is.

How's this deal> http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/faucets/EB525SSSHANK4___17455.shtml?bstr=1

It has a chrome shank rather than stainless. If you're okay with that then ya. I went stainless top to bottom.

[tom]

+1 I definitely recommend all-stainless.
You want the longest shank that will fit in your keg fridge.  The shank inside the fridge keeps the faucet cold.

[johnf]

Now that Perlick sells a forward sealing stainless steel faucet with variable resistance I think anyone buying forward sealing faucets should consider those. Northern Brewer and B3 (probably most other places) are selling them.

[Thirsty_Monk]

I found good prices on Perlicks, here:
http://www.ritebrew.com/category-s/1909.htm

Very Nice.
Thank you for sharing.

[tom]

Now that Perlick sells a forward sealing stainless steel faucet with variable resistance I think anyone buying forward sealing faucets should consider those. Northern Brewer and B3 (probably most other places) are selling them.

I have one and it works well.   Proper system balancing should be fine for regular carbonation beers.  Maybe get one or two for highly carbonated hefe's and Belgians.

[roguejim]

Two final questions.

I sure like the look of the Perlick Stainless Steel w/Brass Finish faucets.  Will these eventually flake?

I contacted RiteBrew.com since they were recommended here, and have the best prices I've seen.  They, however, do not provide a phone contact.  I emailed them about this since a customer might have questions.  They indicated they prefer to handle all correspondence by email.  Should this be a concern?

[beerbull]

I own 4 stainless Ventmatic faucets which are no longer made.  But they are similar to the Perlicks with a forward sealing design and I love them.  I recently replaced my chrome plated shanks with stainless so all parts that touch my beer are stainless.  When I removed the old shanks, I found that the plating had been removed wherever the beer stayed in contact with the parts.  I'm not sure what causes this, (maybe acidity in the beer) but I can't imagine that it would be good for the flavor of the beer.  I would recommend going with all stainless if you can.

[roguejim]

I'm going with stainless steel shanks.  What sized bore do I want?  1/4", or 3/16"?  My beer line is 3/16ID?