Taps and pressure barrels

[Jimbro]

Hi all, I have just finished fermentation in the bucket and use a pressure barrel for secondary. I found that two of my taps had cracks in the thread part that goes in to the barrel, luckily I found this as I was cleaning the Barrel. Oddly enough I had a spare tap so cleaned that and secured it in the barrel but even after half a day it drip leaks from the turn 'on/off' lever. I have a jug underneath to catch the drips.
Every tap that I have had has drip leaked even after checking the small washers in the lever part. I guess the question is, what are the best taps for a screw in thread barrel (not a lock nut inside at the back, it's only a 2" hole on top)? It's getting disheartening now tbh. I also wonder how long this tap will let as Co2 gets stronger.

[Manngold]

Are you sure it is not an issue with the barrel itself rather than an issue with the taps?

[Fil]

some lever taps on PBs dont need pushing fully back but instead are fully closed when 5 degrees or so before 'flat'.. and 'over closing' by pushing further can result in a leak and drip..

[Jimbro]

It is definitely the taps, I have two barrels and it's the same on both. I will get a photo of one of the taps to show you what I mean.

I remember being told about where the lever should be to be closed and not all the way back. I learned that on my first ever brew.

I think I'm really on the look out for better made quality taps that just screw into the barrel without a back nut.
Thanks for your replies though.

[Manngold]

My advice would be to go for corny kegs, I made the choice a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. The set up is a bit costly, but you don't have to worry about the things you have mentioned.

[Jimbro]

That's way too expensive for me unfortunately. I think I might as well just buy a lot of taps and spares.

[wanus]

Hello Jimbro.This is somthing i often experience with my PBs and taps.
Its not realy a bad sign but rather a good one more often than not.
The cap on the barrel then is airtight and i think as pressure builds somthing somewhere will occasionaly have to give.
As i say it happens but i would`nt worry as long as its only a slight seeping.
Budget barrels are what they are!!!!
[/img]

This is a pint of my signature session bitter where there was seeping through the tap during secondry fermentation.
It carbonated fine.As long as your caps airtight don`t worry about a little seeping at the tap

[simon12]

I alwaya had the same problem with the cheap pressure barrels but never with king kegs.

[Fil]

not something i have done but i have read threads where folk have used a dalex style ex pub tap which should fix into a threaded barrel with a 3/4" to 1/2" bsp reducing bush.

[Jimbro]

Beer is STILL clearing and yeasty Might start a larger for the summer /autumn months.

[grmski]

not something i have done but i have read threads where folk have used a dalex style ex pub tap which should fix into a threaded barrel with a 3/4" to 1/2" bsp reducing bush.

I've added a dalex tap onto a budget pressure barrel by using a reducer as Fil describes. It does the job, somewhat, but there are drawbacks. The brass reducer is bad for the plastic barrel thread it cuts the thread to pieces, you add 2 additional points of potential leakage and infection and finally the tap I had, while standard, was so long it prevented the barrel sitting flush on a surface so I couldn't get a glass under it, I had to raise it up by about 10 cm to pour a pint. On the plus side it did pour a great pint much much better than the crappy white taps provided as standard. On the whole though it was more trouble than it's worth.