Fermenter Tap - leaking

[Brewnicorn]

Hi all,

Quick query, a new fermenter 30l plastic from brewcraft/liquorcraft has developed a small leak (its 6 weeks old, holding its 2nd brew currently). The tap is in as tight as I'd dare make it without busting the thread and it's leaking around the join/washer.

1 It's a bit cheap, disappointing
2 any ideas? Anyone added additional washers or different taps/stainless steel threads or the like as a standard fit to get by this issue?

Grateful for any tips. Also happy to take the item back but just seeing how common this is.

Thanks all!

Brewnicorn.

 

[sp0rk]

I use thread tape on my fermenters, no leaks

 

[damoninja]

It happens and could be your fermenter too if so tight. You could use thread tape, just make sure you sanitse the tape too.

I replace my taps every so often, either throw them away or use them for something where a slow drip doesn't matter eg. cube of star san

Edit: if you want to replace at any point bunnings be cheaper than brewcraft (anybody be cheaper than brewcraft)
https://www.bunnings.com.au/icon-plastics-20mm-drum-tap_p3241518

 

[peteru]

Lubricating the seal can help it settle into place. If that does not help, talk to the shop. It could just be a single bad bucket / tap. I don't think it's a common problem. Out of the 5+ fermenters I've had, the problems were either a split o-ring or the tap assembly itself slowly seeping. Both of those problems took years to exhibit.

 

[pcqypcqy]

Yeah, check that washer/seal next time it's off. Might be cracked/damaged. My old fermenter needed to be overtightened to make the seal, no problems so far with 2 new fermenters.

 

[P!N20]

I bought some o-rings from a popular hardware store chain recently and I find them much better than the rings you get with the taps. I am able to get the tap a lot tighter as the round section seems to squash better, so now I can get a good seal without having the tap pointing up in the air.

 

[Tony121]

Keg lube on seal. I also lube the internals after breaking apart and cleaning.

 

[Stouter]

Kick that bitch to the curb.

 

[Brewnicorn]

Keg lube on seal. I also lube the internals after breaking apart and cleaning.

Thanks Tony - What kind of lube?

 

[pcqypcqy]

I bought some o-rings from a popular hardware store chain recently and I find them much better than the rings you get with the taps. I am able to get the tap a lot tighter as the round section seems to squash better, so now I can get a good seal without having the tap pointing up in the air.

I learnt the hard way that this isn't ideal - I left exposed and it ended up filling with all sorts of shit before the ferment was done. It was dicey when time came to transfer, gave it a good clean and sanitise but I reckon the beer isn't quite the same as a result.

 

[pcqypcqy]

Keg lube on seal. I also lube the internals after breaking apart and cleaning.

You're clearly a man who enjoys using a bit of lube.

 

[sp0rk]

Thanks Tony - What kind of lube?

Keg Lube
Quality LHBSes should sell it, it's a silicone based lube

 

[damoninja]

Keg Lube
Quality LHBSes should sell it, it's a silicone based lube

Keep the KY in the bedroom..................

 

[peteru]

Haynes Lubrifilm Plus works well and is inexpensive when you get a big tube of eBay. Inox mx6 is also a good alternative and you can pick it up from AutoOne stores.

 

[sp0rk]

Haynes Lubrifilm Plus works well and is inexpensive when you get a big tube of eBay. Inox mx6 is also a good alternative and you can pick it up from AutoOne stores.

Anyone who stocks keg king gear can get this lube
http://kegking.com.au/misc-plumbing-fittings/brewing-fittings/food-grade-lubricant-hayes-lubri-film-plus-28g.html
For some silly reason I was figuring out the price breaks buying this at bulk
For instance, a 400lb drum costs $3361.65 USD
To buy 400lb worth in the 28g tubes that KK sells, it would cost $25595.57 AUD...

 

[Tony121]

Thanks Tony - What kind of lube?

Haynes Lubrifilm Plus Like the others have mentioned. My tap leaked from the stem so I bought another one - which proceeded to leak. Bit of lube and have not had an issue since.

You're clearly a man who enjoys using a bit of lube.

Oh yes, I go through it like you wouldn't believe!

 

[Brewnicorn]

Awesome guys. Thanks very much. The store have offered to take a look and replace the tap. I gave it a quarter turn tonight to see if that sorted it, started pissing out - half turn back the other way same result. Found a happy medium and made tonight bottle day - but can't say I was pleased to drop half a litre of beer on the garage floor. :-/

 

[peteru]

Sounds very much like a split o-ring

 

[Rocker1986]

I've had the same issue with those taps on my fermenter except they don't leak through the thread/o-ring part, they leak further down, i.e. the outlet section leaks when it's closed. It probably only loses about 5mL over the course of a fermentation but it's ******* annoying having to wipe the brew fridge floor of this mess every time. Any ideas? Just buy new taps or can something else be done to fix them?

 

[Tony121]

Assume you break it down to clean, just lube it all up before reassembling.