Discerning homebrewers and craft-beer enthusiasts choose home draft systems for many reasons:
- Enjoying fresh beer on demand
- Showing off an instant conversation starter
- Gaining an excuse to buy more tools
It is this final item that I want to discuss today.
Whether you buy an off-the-shelf, ready-built kegerator or build your own from junkyard salvage, eventually you’re going to have to perform some maintenance. And as with most DIY tasks, having the right tool for the job means the difference between joy and frustration, and, often, success and failure.
Here are five essential tools to help you keep the beer flowing in your home draft system.
1. Faucet Wrench
This little one-hit wonder does just one thing, but it does it well: A faucet wrench (sometimes called a spanner wrench) makes removing and installing faucets a breeze. Sure, you could use a large adjustable wrench, but you’ll damage the shiny finish on the shank coupling nut. A faucet wrench costs all of $5, so just buy one. (pictured above, bottom right [with the red handle])
2. Adjustable Wrench
Faucets notwithstanding, a good, all-purpose adjustable wrench can do everything from loosen disconnect swivel nuts to tighten the nut that connects a regulator to a carbon dioxide cylinder. But, on that last note, it is wise to consider an…
3. Offset Tank Wrench
This one looks kind of funny, but it’s a cheap piece of metal that can save you some serious cash long-term. An offset tank wrench slips onto a gas regulator’s tank nut and remains in place after you connect it to the cylinder valve. This allows you to tighten down that regulator all the way, a critical step to avoid waking up to an empty CO2 tank.
4. Oetiker Tool
This is the essential tool you need for crimping and cutting those stepless Oetiker clamps. Lots of DIY-ers rely on worm clamps, but when it comes to high pressures and flexible tubing, I don’t trust them. Stepless clamps apply uniform pressure around the entire circumference of a gas or beverage line, keeping everything in its place. This tool will set you back $30 or so, but you’ll enjoy peace of mind from knowing that your kegerator’s lines will stay where they belong. (pictured above, top left [black with red handles])
5. Tower Wrench
A good tower wrench is _de rigueur _for those whose dispensing system features a draft tower in that it provides the leverage and grip needed to remove shank lock nuts within a confined space. It’s pretty much just a box-end wrench that is missing a couple of teeth. In fact, you can make your own by taking a 1" 12-point box wrench (some systems may require a 1-1/16" 12-point wrench) and cutting off two or three of the points with a rotary tool. You can, however, purchase ready-made tower wrenches for upward of $40. (pictured above running left to right under the other tools)
Having the right tools close at hand means you can spend less time fiddling with your kegerator and more time enjoying great beer. Cheers!
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eVGh-y3L8w