Nitro (Tap) Faucet: How to clean and disassemble

[@pjoter2243]

Tank you for great explanation - I had problems with removing the nozzle - but now I will have a clean diffusion plate!

[@crossnotevideo]

First of all, I really enjoy your videos and I have learned so much from watching them! I just wanted to point out that when you put the faucet back together, the spindle assembly is 90 degrees off... just to avoid any confusion. Thanks for the great information!

[@HaileyBreland-yo5fl]

Just finished a peanut butter nitro stout at work and wanna make sure the nitro tap is free of any traces of peanuts for our next beer. do you suggest a caustic solution or star san or both to clean all the small parts individually? any extra advice is greatly appreciated

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi Hailey, We never ever heard of anyone having an allergic reaction to any kind of nut beer. That isn't to say we are saying it is impossible but more that any cleaning should probably be good. If it were us, we'd probably soak the components in caustic then give them a scrub. Caustic is a cleaner, star san is a sanitizer so if you want to cover all of your bases just soak the parts in the star san for a moment after the caustic cleaning and let them air dry. DON"T FORGET the coupler and the actual beer line. We don't ever use anything more than caustic every two weeks on beer lines along with acid once per quarter and here in Chicago there is every kind of beer you could ever imagine. Hope the stout went well for you and the next up is a crusher! -Cheers & Beers

[@ScottL.-ef3wq]

I loved the video. However, I can’t seam to get the ceramic handle screw back in the hole to attach. It seems that the alignment cap and the collar touch and I can’t compress it enough to get the plunger to protrude out of the top of the faucet enough?

[@ismaelfuentes-dorado1442]

You really helped us out!

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

And you really made our day! Thanks so much for letting us know the video helped you out. -Cheers & Beers 🍻

[@ajentink85]

Great video, really informational. I have a question about the restrictor plate though. If the purpose of the restrictor plate is to force the nitrogen/Co2 blend to come out of solution to create the cascading head and creamy mouthfeel, what is the purpose of the nitrogen? Wouldn't Co2 work just fine if the restrictor plate is in essence a sparkler like you would find on an English Beer Engine. I am sure this is obvious and I am just overlooking its purpose, but thought I'd ask none the less. Thanks!

[@ajentink85]

Nevermind, I figured it out.

[@Pazey1]

Even though you have figured it out, The nitrogen is needed with these as you need very high pressure to force the beer through and with normal 100% co2 the beer would overcarbonate but with the blend its only 25/30% co2

[@jmmrad]

I have a faucet with the pin type cam like the one you are assembling in this video. Today I’ve found my faucet to be leaking at the joint of the cam and the collar. The pressure was around 20-25 PSI, beer gas. Do you have an idea how I can fix the leak?

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi Jmmrad, Almost always the culprit behind an internal nitrogen faucet is the diaphragm. leadersbeverage.com/product/stout-nitro-faucet-diaphragm/ Our video on the N2 faucet can help with how to replace.kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXmTdGqprdR4npo As to gas, if you are pouring a Nitrogen beer you want the gas pressure at a minimum of 35lbs. The increased pressure forces the beer through the diffusion plate extra hard. This strips out the N2 creating that gorgeous and tasty thick creamy head indicative of a nitro beer. Hope that helps, -Cheers!

[@jmmrad]

Leaders Beverage thanks for that advice! I’ll order the part today.

[@davidapplegate7240]

Please please please help me. I hooked my stout tap up. It's leaking back on me on the top of the faucet. I've never messed with this before so I'm at a lost.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi David; there are a few points the faucet could be leaking. If it is leaking at the shank where it connects to the tower you may be missing the faucet to shank seal (or it is worn out). If the faucet itself seems to be leaking and is like the one in this video the part that needs to be replaced is the diaphragm. www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/taps-faucets-parts-pid-4318.html www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/taps-faucets-parts-pid-mm100-268.html - Hope this helps and good luck!

[@MsRayalex]

I have a faucet that has a ball inside. You don't show that. The beer shuts out way to fast. What is the problem? Thanks

[@zurcatnas27]

Would you happen to know the thread size for the nozzle with the restrictor? I think its the one with the thread on the inside. I’m trying to adapt that to my isi whip cream dispenser. Trying to make a better nitro coffee at home. Thanks.

[@soundfire79]

I am not getting a consistent “hiss” when pouring with my Guinness home setup. It’s more like pulses of hiss. Sounds like a water faucet when the lines have air in them. Where should I start troubleshooting?

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi David, hissing at the faucet usually means there is gas in the line. The hiss is the sound of the built up pressure releasing through the faucet. If you don't have any leaks in the faucet then the issue isn't the faucet but something between the keg, gas line, and coupler. I'm also going to assume you are actually pouring Guinness; are you using a 75% N2 / 25% Co2 gas blend? shine a light through the beer jumper to see if you see bubbles coming up from the keg. The pressure needs to be the same or more than what is in the keg to keep the carbonation in solution. You want between 35-40lbs of 75/25 blended gas on a keg of Guinness. If the pressure is low and the gas is building up in the jumper you will get the hiss before the beer each time. Good luck, and Cheers!

[@BrianChido2]

anyone have a link to an assembly parts diagram for this style faucet. I found many of the taller stout faucet but not for this model used in the video. Many of the links below to replacement parts and the diagram no longer work. any alternatives? I need a replacement rubber bonnet gasket that goes under the tap handle.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi Brian, here is a link to the faucet on the Micro Matic web page. Click on the 'Replacement Parts' tab. You can even purchase the parts from this link. Hope this helps and cheers! www.micromatic.com/draft-beer/stout-and-ale-faucet-polished-stainless-steel-body-jesf-4

[@theinterviewpro4733]

What would happen if one neglected to put the flow straightener in the nozzle. What would the flow look like?

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi I. pro, the product will come out in a 4 stream pour that’s just kind of messy. Check out this video we posted a few years back of a stout pouring through the faucet without the straightener. Troubleshooting your Nitro Beer Faucet kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmO3m6mQgbOop7s Hope that made sense and that the video was clear enough, we know it’s kind of dark. -Cheers!!

[@kalebittner2823]

I just bought a nitro faucet and it has the restrictor plate and the flow straightener, but my pour looks exactly like the video you had with the faucet without the flow straightener. What might be causing this?

[@andyeben3567]

I just picked up an official Guinness tap handle and I'm researching to determine which stout faucet would be a match to the handle. Based on your knowledge, does it make a difference if there is a pin or screw at the top when using that Guinness tap handle? I need to pick up the rest of the components to convert my kegerator over to pour Guinness properly so this is just one of the pieces to that venture. I currently have a dual faucet system that I use with mostly IPA's and the idea of having Guinness on tap in my house has always been a "holy grail" idea.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Brewman Eben Hi Brewman, I'm looking at an official Guinness handle right now and it has a screw connection on it. Actually, the handle is its own built in cam so you would be taking the cam off anyway; part number three on this schematic - leadersbeverage.com/product/stout-nitro-faucet-cam-chrome/ You just need to make sure the top of the spindle assembly isn't to wide for the Guinness tap handle to fit over. Since it comes with a screw though I'd assume that is the type of faucet you'd want. Of course, a company that large has made lots of different types of handles so I can only talk about the ones I've come in contact with. If your not 100% shoot us an e-mail with a picture at [e-mail]. Also, don't forget that you will need a different gas for the Guinness. Cheers! Drew

[@caseyrichardson9839]

Can you use a nitrogen faucet with Co2 beers?

[@DrewLarson7]

Hi Casey, the fast answer is no. Nitrogenated beers have between .7 and 1.1 volumes of Co2 in them where normal beer has anywhere from 2.4 to upwards of 3 volumes. The diffusion plate will strip that extra Co2 out of beer creating a merengue like foam. The faucet might be able to get you by in a pinch if you take that diffusion plate out. Ultimately though, the faucet is designed specifically for handling Nitrogen products. -Cheers!

[@kauaijuiceco.5250]

We are running a Nitro Coffee from our Kegs. Is the gas blend still 25% / 75% for a coffee? We've been having a lot of trouble keeping it constant and frothy. I recently found out to force carbonate the kegs with co2 first, than flow with nitrogen. But I didnt know a blend was necessary. Please help

[@ryanheaslip7092]

Thanks for the video, what PSI should you be serving the 75%/25% blend?

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

+Ryan Heaslip Ryan, I'll assume you mean that the 75% part is the nitrogen. That blend is for nitroginated beers like Guinness and must go through a special Nitrogen Faucet. The proper secondary pressure with that gas for an N2 beers is about 35 to 40lbs. If you have a system with a very high built in resistance you will need to be a little higher. The beer needs to be forced through the diffusion plate in the nitro faucet nozzle pretty vigorously. That is what strips out the N2 to create the beautiful cascade. Cheers!

[@bergieshighweedmowingtract5097]

What happens if you have 100% nitrogen?

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

If you mean for a nitrogenated beer it would actually go flat. Nitro beers still have carbon dioxide carbonation in them. While this carbonation is less than half of a regular beer it is still there and needs to be maintained. The 25% Co2 at 35-40lbs psi at 38 degrees gives you that carbonation. The nitrogen is already in the beer so the 75% N2 isn’t absorbing I to your beer, it’s still just there to push the beer like on a beer that gets a 60/40 blend. However, nitro coffee should be 100% Co2. If you want to do nitro beer at home look for a gas supply shop that sells 25/75 co2/N2 blend in the cylinder. - Good Luck and Cheers & Beers 🍻

[@dbarrington1]

My wife and I were in Dublin and got to take the Guinness tour and learn the "perfect Guinness pour". My question is this. Do all Nitrogen faucets have the double detent that is used with Guinness. I want to know before I order one. I homebrew and want to make a Guinness clone and want to pour it correctly. Thanks for the great videos

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi Dbarrington1, Here is a dark secret for you, the 'Perfect Guinness Pour' is about marketing. There is a romance to the idea that this beer is at its best when poured a special 2 or 3 part way. It makes the bartender feel special, it makes the patron feel like there is special attention being paid, and it makes it feel like the beer will be better. It is brilliant marketing ceremony. However, that doesn't mean you won't hear more than one Irishman come to blows over how to pour it! We ourselves have had many very very special Guinness's :) Any way, more to your point, by double detent do you mean how you can push the handle backwards to get a kind of creamy top up? Most N2 faucets allow you to do that. Here is a link to the faucet we use and sell and have had many a great pint from. www.micromatic.com/draft-beer/stout-and-ale-faucet-polished-stainless-steel-body-jesf-4 -Good Luck and Many Cheers!

[@fatboycrew623]

how did you remove the pin to disassemble the faucet?

[@DrewLarson7]

Hi Giusseppe, getting that pin out can be difficult. I typically find a small nail or hex wrench that is smaller than the hole that holds the pin. I place the nail against the pin and tap the pin out or push the nail against a table. Once the pin is out a bit and I can grab it with pliers I'm good to go. Hope that helps!

[@fatboycrew623]

Thank you so much for the swift response! I was trying that yesterday but wasn't working with a hammer. got it out with a mallet today. subscribed.

[@DrewLarson7]

They can sure be tricky. If we are at our shop we put the faucet in a table mounted vice so we can tap it out. Glad you got it finally, I hate to think of beer not pouring somewhere in the world where it should be. -Cheers!

[@winnguyen443]

Hey there , I can’t even get mine off the tower to clean it.

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

Hi Pat, are you using a spanner wrench? It is a tool with a half circle and hook that goes into the little holes around the shank collar that spins on to grab the faucet. Using a wrench over that part puts so much friction on the shank it is hard to turn. Still, a faucet that has never been removed may be stuck on pretty hard from built up dried in beer. If you have a spanner and are still having trouble boil up some water and slowly trickle it over the shank/faucet connection to try and loosen dried beer. Good Luck and Cheers!

[@winnguyen443]

Wow, talk about a quick response! I better get me a spanner wrench!

[@LeadersBeverageConsulting]

@@winnguyen443 Hi Pat, you caught us right as we were responding to other notes and inquiries :) Here is a link to a spanner; we get nothing from you clicking on this. There are lots of companies that sell these to include any home brew stores around you. www.homebrewing.org/Faucet-Shank-Wrench_p_331.html