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Know Your faucets & SHanks
The beer faucet is the "point of dispense", where draft beer meets the outside world. The faucet quite often is called the "tap" or "spigot". Here are the styles of faucets used:
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Standard Faucet
The most common faucet. Used for all ales and lagers. Comes in Standard body and 304 Body (pictured)
Creamer Faucet
Standard style faucet with capability to change texture and color of froth (creamier) by pushing back on faucet lever.
Stout Faucet
Elegant faucet for use only with stouts. Unique handle motion: forward for pouring, push backward to finish with a creamy head.
forward sealing Faucet
This faucet allows the shaft to seal at the front of the body vs the rear allowing the body to remain full of product improving hygiene.
trigger tap Faucet
Trigger Tap has only 2 positions, open & closed, preventing servers from pouring with a partially open tap resulting in foam & loss of revenue.
flow control Faucet
Control the flow of beer and use to easily switch from pouring pints to filling growlers.
Faucet Finishes available
Chrome – body is forged brass which is chrome plated.
Polished Brass – body is forged brass polished to a bright finish.
Polished Stainless Steel – body is forged stainless steel polished to a bright finish. This is the best faucet available today. The stainless steel will not impart any off tastes. The finish will not tarnish like brass or pit like chrome. Excellent choice for beer, wine or cider as it is not affected by acidity.
Gold – Stainless Steel with Brass Like Finish. Same attributes as above in addition to a tarnish free brass like finish that is bonded to the stainless steel faucet body.
Plastic – All components touching the product are plastic. Must be used for wine or cider applications due to the acidity. Not recommended for beer.
Faucet Components
Shaft – The shaft is moved by the lever resulting in an on or off position. Any position in between results in foam. If the shaft does not have the ability to move in the faucet body it will be difficult to open and close the faucet. If the two vent holes are clogged with yeast or mold, dispensing issues will occur.
Lever – The lever holds the faucet handle and pivots on shaft. Brass or stainless steel levers are available. Brass levers are more economical but are more susceptible to damage. A stainless steel lever is more durable and is ideal for the larger, heavier faucet handles.
Friction/Ball Washer – Black rubber washer sits on top of the white nylon ball washer. Check for wear, washer becomes crushed with use. Replace when bonnet can no longer be hand tightened.
Lever Bonnet – This compression nut on top of friction/ball washer determines lever action. Hand tighten only.
Coupling Washer – Thin black washer between the faucet body and shank. Visually inspect washer during faucet cleaning. Replace if damaged to eliminate leaks.
SHANKS
The shank creates a stable mounting place for the faucet. It is the transition point between the beer line and the faucet. Shanks come in a variety of lengths. The shank is an excellent conductor of cold between where the beer is stored and the faucet. However it is important a shank does not go through thick walls where the beer would be allowed to warm up. Beer shanks are available in economical chrome plated brass or the durability and purity of stainless steel. Wine and cider can use economical plastic or the purity of stainless steel.
Straight Shank – requires additional fittings to connect beer line: hex nut (874), tailpiece, neoprene washer (759) and clamp. Requires additional fittings to connect beer line: hex nut (874), tailpiece, neoprene washer (759) and clamp.
Nipple Shank – Built-in tailpiece for easy beer line connection. Only a clamp required.
Shank with Bent Tube – utilizes elongated 1/4" OD tube extending down through tower into kegerator. Threaded fitting on end allows for easy connection with hex nut and tailpiece inside kegerator.
Maintenance
Maintaining the faucet is critical to proper dispensing. Start by disconnecting the faucet using a faucet wrench (also referred to as a "spanner"). Disassemble and clean faucet when cleaning beer line and coupler; always use a recommended cleaner. A few minutes of routine maintenance will protect the beer's quality and reduce dispensing issues.
If you don't see what you're looking for, or not sure which shank or faucet to use, please give us a call at:
(866) 291-5756 or send us an email at sales@micromatic.com.
