Perlick Flow Control Taps

[Black n Tan]

Having just read that thread I am a bit dirty having just ordered 4 roto flow taps from the US. This was the email I received from perlick:

Hi Michael,

We do have a new stainless steel version of the Perl faucet in development to replace the 525SS. The new faucet (630SS) will be available by the end of March. However; at this time, we are not developing a stainless version of the 545.

Dave

David Kearns
Perlick Corporation - Product Marketing Manager

I would have thought that if they were about to release a SS flow control that he might have passed on the info but its possible they didn't. Either way, would be good to see the options in SS flow control taps improve. It's slim pickings at the moment.

Yes seems very odd. Thanks for the info.

 

[HBHB]

I just saw in another thread that HBHB have indicated that s/s flow control perlicks are expected to arrive in Australia late November. So what gives?

http://aussiehomebrewer.com/topic/76211-finally-flow-control-perlicks-in-stainless/#entry1095852

Came from the importers yesterday. No exact date available, but expected in around a month.

 

[ricardo]

I'm new to this thread and kind of wished i had read it a little earlier as i took delivery of the chrome plated taps yesterday. I'm kind of in 2 minds as to whether i send them back and wait for the SS ones or just keep them.

It's kind of funny reading this thread as at the very start the CP taps were the business but by the end of the thread a midst the rumors of the imminent arrival of an SS variety they are now derided with one member starting a "sell your CP taps thread"

Can i ask what is so bad about them and how much wear i will get out of the taps before the chrome plating erodes? I need to make a quick decision as to whether to keep them or not

 

[Donske]

I recently got 4 of the chrome plated versions, they seem solid and the plating looks good, can't see them flaking any time soon, be interested in hearing from other peoples experience too though.

 

[brad81]

Nothing wrong with my chrome ones either. Clean with a soft cloth (tshirt), and never submerge the spout into the beer.

 

[HBHB]

Can i ask what is so bad about them and how much wear i will get out of the taps before the chrome plating erodes?

I don't think there's anything wrong with them. Like in all mass produced items, there will be a small number where something in the process goes a little astray, but you get that.

There would be several thousand of these taps around Australia that have given excellent service in commercial venues. On that basis alone.....nothing wrong with them and In a home bar, if maintained well, cleaned and given respect, the vast majority of the brass taps will be still giving excellent service in years to come.

Martin

 

[JaseH]

Mine are over 12mths old now and still look like new, no special care taken with them, chrome plating is as good as the day I got them.

 

[GalBrew]

Out of curiosity, how intact is the chrome plating on the interior of the tap barrel?

 

[Wortgames]

Most of my brewing & serving stuff has gone unused for a couple of years or more, as I've moved house a couple of times and it's taken a long time to get my new place fixed up to a point where I can start getting back into it.

I have several CP taps, all good quality Andale EK type. 2 of them I bought new (although not at the same time) then I found 8 old pub ones at my local scrap metal yard. They've all been used in various fixed and mobile setups over the last 10-15 years and occasionally left a bit too long without cleaning.

Time and neglect has not been kind to them. One of the 'new' ones that was left on a serving fridge under the verandah now looks the same as the really old ones. The CP hasn't flaked, it's just disappeared in places. It has been out of the rain, in a dry climate, so it appears that dust and general grime are the culprits. It's buddy was stored clean in a plastic tub and is pretty good, but I was expecting it to look new (it never really got used) and it doesn't. Again the CP has simply faded in some places and pitted in others. I haven't dared open them up yet but I know they will all be pretty nasty inside and I'll be very surprised if there's any CP left there at all.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that in comparison, SS taps are indestructible. You have them for life, regardless of what life throws at you. You can forget to clean them or leave them on your portable rig all winter. You can also use them for more acidic things like cider. Take a break from brewing, or lend them to a mate while you are O/S, doesn't matter.

I've never had flow-control taps, but I've never felt like I'm missing anything. I certainly wouldn't pick FC over stainless if I had to make the choice. Good stainless taps will last forever, they'll take plenty of abuse, and they'll always come up like new after a clean.

 

[ricardo]

Quick question - I finally got round to putting the taps together I received from Cheakypeak only to realise when finished that they had not included the base cover. I'm going to call them on Tuesday but does this mean I have to pull everything apart again and start from scratch? I think I know the answer but am hoping somebody has an ingenious solution

 

[Cube]

post a pic?

 

[ricardo]

post a pic?

not at home at the moment but the assembly is complete it's just the circular SS base that covers the screws.

 

[Fents]

yes unfortuantly you do have to take it all apart. i did exactly the same thing, built my whole font then saw the base cover over on my bar! a big DOH moment ensued.

 

[Donske]

I bought 4 of these taps about a month ago and one has developed a leak, anyone else had this happen and know how to fix it?

 

[bradsbrew]

I found with my creamers that if you don't clean it after every second keg it will drip at low pressure. Bought some new seals from Martin at HBHB, haven't changed them yet.

 

[TidalPete]

The dripping problem with Perlick Creamers is caused by the creaming function stretching the floating O-ring at the back of the tap over time thus causing the tap to leak.
The solution is to replace the floating O-ring whenever the tap starts to drip.
The stretched O-ring will soon shrink back to its original size & be ready to replace the replacement when it starts to leak in a year or so depending on use.

Takes me less than 5 minutes a tap. Too easy!
I found a website for professional brewers/bar owners the other week where some were complaining that their new Perlick 545 Flow Control taps leaked. Maybe all Perlick taps are on the nose?

 

[DU99]

:icon_offtopic: see the 630SS perlick is available in the states($40).wonder how long before we see them

 

[Nibbo]

:icon_offtopic: see the 630SS perlick is available in the states($40).wonder how long before we see them

It looks like once the 525's run out, these will be replacing them.

Only had a quick read about them though.

 

[Wilkensone]

If the 525SS are being replaced does anyone know if the 545SS will also be replaced?
I'm in the market for new taps and want to know if I should hold off or not!

Cheers

It looks like once the 525's run out, these will be replacing them.

Only had a quick read about them though.

 

[wogdog]

I have the 525ss on my keezer bought about 2 months ago from cheeky with other bits too an they are fantastic great service via the phone etc an delivery to Newcastle was fast..!! Will be buying one more make it three..!!!