Everything beer engine, polypins, cask and questions

[McMullan]

I've got a demand valve and a check valve.



I find no difference between them, regardless whether I'm using the intermediary vessel or not. Casks or kegs are directly below the beer engines. Ale lines are about 60cm long. If the demand valve ever needs replacing I'll replace it with an inline check valve, as it's easier to incorporate. Although I'm thinking of fixing the demand valve 'permanently' inside a caskerator for next spring. Basement temperature is perfect at the mo - it's been sub zero outside for 2-3 weeks now.

[PeeBee]

I've got a demand valve and a check valve.

I find no difference between them, regardless whether I'm using the intermediary vessel or not. …

I know, that's why you were singled out in my reply. You might be a "purist" and never subject your check valves to too much pressure, or those check valves you use have a particularly high "cracking pressure" (in which case I'd be interested in where you get them! "Demand valves" are an un-wanted complication).

But a check valve is a one-way valve, and a demand valve works as a check valve in both directions, only opening in one direction if it gets the right signal. Demand valves allow the abominable practice of fitting high pressure kegs to a hand pump (some hand pumps; many pumps quite rightly complain, creek and judder, in response to such abuse).

[McMullan]

I got them from RLBS. The check valve was a bit cheaper.

[Trefoyl]

I got them from RLBS. The check valve was a bit cheaper.

And reading a review from a homebrewer in Australia, it looks like RLBS will ship internationally, but you need to contact them.
They sell refurbished Angrams much cheaper than resellers in the US.

[PeeBee]

I got them from RLBS. The check valve was a bit cheaper.

I'll order one of them (for research purposes!) for when I go to pick up my new curtains (RLBS are just behind the curtain shop in Gresford down the road - handy i'n'it!).

[McMullan]

I got them from RLBS. The check valve was a bit cheaper.

And reading a review from a homebrewer in Australia, it looks like RLBS will ship internationally, but you need to contact them.
They sell refurbished Angrams much cheaper than resellers in the US.

I'd be happy to recommend them. A good company to deal with. Those US prices for beer engines and parts are truly eye watering! Even with shipping and any import charges there are big savings to be made here.

[shoreman]

Is 1/2" tubing and ideal size to run off of your beer engine? https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item. ... mid=115615

I'm also interested in setting up a 3-way valve similar to this setup viewtopic.php?t=62847 and was wondering what to look for, found these - https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item. ... id=popcorn

Thanks.

[McMullan]

1/2" is fine, especially for a 1/2 pint pull. You can go smaller for a 1/4 pint pull. 3/8 works. Plan for whatever's easiest to connect to the cask/keg/polypin and demand/check valve.

[shoreman]

Thanks McMullan

[Trefoyl]

I use a stainless reducing barb, I think from 1/4 to 3/8 to connect to regular beer line through the fridge wall. Easier to connect to the corny that way. They sell 3/8 barb disconnects but I don’t see how that would make a difference being that the dip tube and post are 1/4 inch.

[shoreman]

Thanks to everyone that helped me get this setup here in the States. I cleaned this Angram CQ up and just ran a test of my Innkeepers Bitter that I brewed this fall with homegrown cascade hops through it. It was just a growler that I had saved. I noticed that the .6mm sparkler is a bit too much, maybe good in a stout, I'll have to see.

I have some cubitainers that I ordered as well as my 2.5 gallon corny kegs, so next step is to test out those and see what I'll want to use longterm.

Thanks again for all the help here.

[orlando]

Looking foward to getting mine out of its Summer mothballs now the cellar is at the perfect temperature for CC Beer.

[Kev888]

A very pleasing sight, I hope it is similarly satisfying to use!

I had six at one point but was forced to sell them when moving to smaller accommodation; they're still very much missed, and certainly on the long-term wish list.

[orlando]

A very pleasing sight, I hope it is similarly satisfying to use!

I had six at one point but was forced to sell them when moving to smaller accommodation; they're still very much missed, and certainly on the long-term wish list.

6!!

Holy Fook. That's a Pub Kev.

[Kev888]

Heh, well I had two then got unexpectedly lucky on a quadruple one on ebay.

It was truly excellent when drinking friends stopped by, very satisfying. But... in all honesty for just personal consumption it wasn't very sensible really; with so many of them the turnover on any one was too slow - allowing the beer to start getting stale in the engine and lines.

So most of the time I just used five freeflow taps and one beer engine for the joy of it. But the slightest excuse would have all six back on stream!