Blichmann beer gun vs Chinese copy - any advice?

[timtoos]

Hi guys,

I want a Blichmann beer gun - for its simplicity really. I looked into making a counter pressure bottler but when I totted up the cost to make with stainless steel parts the cost was up at about £70 - the blichmann is just shy of £83 at BrewUK.

Anyway I have kept looking on eBay and yesterday a guy in China started selling a 'rip-off' beer gun for £30. It looks the same as the blichmann so I emailed him. He said its basically the same but the metal isn't as strong.

Do you guys have any more information you can add? Are the Chinese copies good/bad? What about spares? I know the blichmann unit loses its bottom rubber stopper easily.

Ive had lots of Chinese things in the past and the quality at best is sporadic. I also know they reverse engineer anything they can get their hands on.

Whats your thoughts guys?

[kev93_10]

Got a link?

K

[chris2012]

I guess they mean - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Bee ... 463f226a8f

Or

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Stainles ... 96640.html

[timtoos]

Yes they are the ones

What's your thoughts? The guy said the steel quality wasnt as strong as the blichmann model.

[chris2012]

I'm not sure too be honest, I bought the Blichmann one second hand on here, which I've been rather pleased with, but
I understand they are expensive, so the Chinese one could be worth a punt.

[McMullan]

I have a genuine beer gun. It's a great tool. Top quality too. I have no idea about the quality of the Chinese copy. As you wrote, quality can be sporadic. In my experience, Chinese copies work overall, but at least some of the removable parts need to be replaced with the functional genuine parts. That can reduce the perceived cost savings. It's an interesting one, so report back if you go for it.

[ciderhead]

I have a mate that has one and we did a side by side comparison, similar build quality and does the job just not as well finished and rubber needs to be modded in holder to stay on

[timtoos]

Thanks for the replies.

I am still undecided. I like things to be right so I think Ill go for the genuine Blichmann part at some stage (why they so expensive thought!!!)

What fittings are neede to get running? I know there is a add-on kit that Blichmann do but it looks expensive for a bit of hose and disconnect. Is there a special fitting which need attaching to the gun so there hose can attach? Is it NPT thread?

[orlando]

I wouldn't go for the Blichman it is a pain to set up, far better to go for one of these. Plenty of users on here of similar devices and can be permanently set up on say a keezer.

[Goulders]

I've looked at getting the Pegas taps previously. I think the Chinese copy at the link you have provided Orlando is an absolute bargain; I will be making a purchase I think. For the OP, I think you need a washer of some sort to make the tap compatible with glass bottles.

[Goulders]

Bump:
I bought one of the Chinese bottle fillers Orlando linked to. It works great. Some pictures on TBF (here)
As you will see, it came scratched and looks as though it didn't pass quality control and has been sold as a "second". But it works, and for £27 delivered in 3 weeks I won't be complaining.

PS. If anyone has a washer to allow filling of glass bottles they are willing to sell, please let me know

[Wonkydonkey]

Now I was looking at the bottle filler, then resilsed it was a plastic bottle filler. And wondered how you would fill glass bot's.

Any more info on the mod, or the washer thing would be great. As I'd like to get one but filling just plastic bot's is not what I want.

Thanks.

Edit; I just read bobsbeer said barneey made him one, can barneey let us see a pic or tell us the dimentions and what he made it from.

Cheers.

[chris2012]

Just looking at the one orlando linked to, don't you get a lot of foaming, because its not filling from the bottom of the bottle.

[Goulders]

No you don't. There's a video if you go to this link. It fills down the side of the bottle

http://youtu.be/2bBh4AvlkDM

[chris2012]

Aha cool!