Compensator tap

A tap is a fitting with which a content is emptied from a liquid-operated system, i.e. a pipe or a container. In beer tapping, the container is a barrel. Taps are often also known as beer taps. Technically speaking, taps are shut-off taps because the liquid supply is either fully open or closed. The tap is completely tight.

You will find piston taps and compensator taps with us. Many models are chrome-plated or made of brass, some are also gold-plated and are therefore a real optical highlight. Taps are simply part of the equipment in every pub, and a high-quality tap should not be missing in the private tap system.

Easy to open and close Unlike a valve that requires multiple turns, a tap can be opened and closed quickly with a 1/4 turn. With some barrels the tap is already attached directly to the barrel. If this is not the case, the tap is driven in with a hammer. This is the so-called tapping.

compensator tap

A normal beer tap regulates the flow of the drink into the glass. A compensator tap, on the other hand, has a nozzle system inside, so you can tap drinks without foam. However, the compensator tap requires a higher pressure. From the outside, the difference is only visible through a small adjusting lever on the side with which the flow cross-section inside is changed. A compensator tap is particularly suitable for cola or lemonade drinks. Compensator taps often have a so-called "foam button" to deform the foam. A special tap is required for Stout beers such as Guinness. Stout beers require nitrogen to produce a particularly creamy foam.

Cleaning the tap and accessories

You should always completely disassemble the taps for cleaning. This is the only way to ensure thorough cleaning from the inside. The tap is in direct contact with the drink and must therefore always be clean. Deposits can lead to damage to health and the beer loses its taste. A cleaning brush is a good helper for cleaning. You can also clean the tap thoroughly with a bellows.

In addition, you will find various aids for taps. For example, a tap wrench helps to loosen the union nut. With high-quality taps, hygienic cleaning agents and numerous accessories your beer tastes even better!

Perfectly tapped beer thanks to compensator tap

Tapping beer needs to be learned. For perfect beer enjoyment, the beer must be at the right temperature and should be served with a fine head of froth in a suitable glass. A suitable beer tapping system makes this much easier. In addition to a piston tap, a so-called compensator tap can also be used for tapping. This has a number of advantages and is therefore not only suitable for drawing soft drinks, but also for beer.

Draw foam-free beer

Simply turn on the tap of the tapping plant and let the beer flow into the glass is quite simple. But of course, beer tapping is not that simple. If the pressure at the outlet of the tap is too high, excessive foam is formed and the beer cannot be tapped properly. To counteract this, it is necessary to reduce the pressure. In this way the formation of foam is avoided and the beer can be tapped without foam.

Pressure reduction with a stilling coil

There are several possibilities for reducing the pressure. One of them is the use of a so-called calming coil. This is a long line in the form of a spiral. The beer flows through this spiral on its way to the tap, whereby the pressure is slowly reduced.The longer the calming coil, the further the pressure can be reduced before tapping the beer. The ideal length of the calming coil depends on various factors and therefore cannot be generalized.

Pressure reduction with one compensator cock

Instead of a calming coil, a compensator valve can also be used for pressure reduction during beer tapping. This is designed in such a way that the pressure can be reduced completely inside the compensator tap to the required level. In addition, a compensator tap has a lever with which the flow rate can be regulated. In this way, flexible adaptation to the prevailing pressure is possible during tapping, so that an optimal beer flow result can always be achieved.

Difference between piston valve and compensator valve

A compensator tap is operated at a higher pressure than a normal piston tap. With the latter, the beer can only be served at a pressure of about 0.4 to 0.6 bar orderly cones. If the pressure is considerably higher, often only foam comes out of the tap. With a compensator tap, however, a pressure of 1.3 or 1.4 bar is no problem.The special construction inside reduces the pressure of the incoming beer before the leaving the tap.

Tap beer with a compensator tap

For the dispensing with an expansion tap to work as desired, the beer must be pre-cooled. Ideally, it should have a temperature of about four to six degrees for tapping. After tapping, the flow rate of the compensator tap should first be set to the highest level. In this way the air can be forced out of the beer line before the actual tapping. When this is done, you can reduce the flow and start tapping beer. Adjust the flow so that a continuous clear stream flows out of the compensator tap.

Advantages of a compensator valve

The great advantage of pressure reduction with a compensator cock is especially the fact that it is extremely flexible and space-saving. Its use eliminates the need for a calming coil, without having to dispense with foam-free tapping of the beer. A compensator tap enables more or less foam-free tapping of different beers, such as wheat or Pilsner, and can be used both for systems with very short lines and for tapping directly from the barrel.

A high-quality compensator tap pays off

It is recommended to pay attention to good quality when buying a compensator tap. Especially inexpensive models with plastic components scratch the inside very easily during cleaning. Over time, this leads to the beer foaming more and more during tapping and the tap has to be replaced comparatively quickly. With a stainless steel compensator tap, on the other hand, you can be sure that it will function well for much longer and will allow you to tap without foaming. The additional costs that you have to reckon with are usually manageable and in any case well invested.

Large selection of compensator cocks in our shop

In our shop you will find a large selection of different compensator taps, which you can use for perfect results in foam-free beer tapping.

Choose between compensator taps made of stainless steel as well as chrome-plated or gold-plated models with different thread lengths the tap that fits your requirements. Purchase your compensator tap directly online and have your order delivered conveniently to your desired address. Benefit from favourable prices as well as fast delivery of your compensator tap and other products around your beer dispenser.