how to tighten beer taps without a tap wrench

Properly tightening the beer taps of your kegerator is integral for ensuring impeccable beer flow. Unfortunately, having a dependable tap wrench may be out of the question in some circumstances. This article addresses why it’s essential to securely attach your beer taps and provides alternatives to using a tap wrench.

Unscrewing Benefits of Sealing Beer Taps

Beer taps that do not seal tightly can bring a range of issues. The primary consequence being that leaks may arise, causing a soured flavor of your beverage along with an inconvenient mess. This can be an especially troublesome predicament if you have chosen to integrate a kegerator into a confined space such as your home.

If neglected and uncontrolled, a loose tap can bring disaster to the taste of your beer and make it almost improbable to generate a decent pint. This becomes more alarming when the public or visitors you’re serving are expecting nothing but excellence in their drinks.

In addition, if taps are not affixed tightly, the beer can be affected by oxidative spoilage due to the entry of additional air into the keg.

Tap into the Solution for Your Wrench Dilemma

If you do not possess a tap wrench, tightening your beer tap is not out of the question. A pair of pliers can lend the wearer a helping hand. Take hold of the tap with the pliers and twist it in a clockwise rotation to securely fasten it in place. Nevertheless, take it easy not to over-tighten as this may damage the tap or result in a drip.

For a tight grip, slide a screwdriver into the tap’s designated spot at the top and twist it to the right. Be aware that too much force should be avoided to prevent over-tightening.

An adjustable or crescent wrench can be employed if you need to tighten the tap. All you need to do is fit the wrench to the object and then rotate it clockwise until it is sufficiently secure.

In the end, if the right tools are beyond reach, using your fingers is still an option. Taking this approach may not be as powerful as using a wrench or pliers, but it can certainly help you with minor tweaks.

Exploring the Most Commonly-Asked Questions

Can you close a beer tap using a bottle opener? The answer is not as straightforward as you might expect. While it is possible to use a bottle opener to close a beer tap in certain circumstances, the same could not be said for all beer taps out there. It would depend on the individual type of tap, and whether it can be tightened sufficiently. In most cases, it would be easier and more effective to use a wrench or dedicated tool.

Many may think that a bottle opener can also be utilized to manually tighten taps, but it is strongly discouraged, for it often leads to either irreparable destruction, or the tap becoming leaky.

Are pliers an appropriate tool to safely secure beer taps?

Pliers may be used to secure a tap successfully if handled with care to avoid over-tightening, yet it is highly recommended to secure the tap using a specific tap wrench if one is accessible.

How Firm Should Your Beer Taps Be Set?

Be sure to appropriately tighten your beer taps in order to guarantee no leakage, as too loose of a hold can result in seeping and too tightly secured can damage the tap. To save the tap from damage, fasten it one full turn past being locked down by your fingertips.

To bring out the best flavor and get a proper pour, tightening beer taps is key. While a tap wrench is ideal equipment for the task, it’s not the only tool around. Alternatives like pliers, a screwdriver, or even your own finger-strength can make sure those taps are securely in place and ready to pour perfect beers.