PVC draft tower, negatives?

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Cory001

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Im thinking of building a draft tower out of PVC. For cost reasons. I have most everything in 2 inch laying around to build it.

Wondering if there are any real negatives.

My though is pvc will insulate better? But, I would be adding some foam insulation. The tower will be an upside down U shape with 3 tees for 3 taps. Also, a small fan to force cold air through it.

Thank you!
 
Ya, definitely run some test pours though it before I put a fan on it. I might be pleased without the fan. I found a nearly brand new chest freezer at our local recycle center. The thermostat went out so they threw it out. I just bypassed it since I use an inkbird anyways. Free is definitely for me! lol
 
PVC should be fine. It only needs to be mechanically supportive. Metal might look better or last longer but at a cost.

Pros use a line with chilled water (or glycol) running through it. I agree, try it without a fan, then with a fan if needed. Last step is a liquid chiller line.
 
How much distance will there be between the tap and the exit from the freezer where you were planning to put a fan?
 
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Its still a work in progress. But, I dont see myself doing much more to it for awhile. Because, I am testing out an intertap faucet with the duotight flow control ball lock fitting. So far it seems to be pouring great. Line distance is only about 3 feet. Which is great not having 9 foot of line per tap thrown in the keezer.
 
Seems to be doing fine without a fan. But the real test will be this Florida heat.
 
Cory001 said:
Seems to be doing fine without a fan. But the real test will be this Florida heat.
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I think you will find it won't matter for that short distance. Beer will warm in the lines, but with 3/16" lines that is about 1oz
 
Minbari said:
Not how pictures it in my head, but i like this better.

Just needs a picture of super Mario behind it. :D
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Yes to Mario! Ya its not a typical setup. But I used parts I had lying around, and the freezer was free. So the only investment was the stuff for the tap and the inkbird. Also, when I went to buy the inkbird (usually $35) amazon had a flash sale. If I bought it in the next 15mins it said, it was only $20. Score!
 
Cory001 said:
Yes to Mario! Ya its not a typical setup. But I used parts I had lying around, and the freezer was free. So the only investment was the stuff for the tap and the inkbird. Also, when I went to buy the inkbird (usually $35) amazon had a flash sale. If I bought it in the next 15mins it said, it was only $20. Score!
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sweet, those things used to be $12, lol. I have like 4 of em laying around somewhere, lol.
 
Cory001 said:
Its still a work in progress. But, I dont see myself doing much more to it for awhile. Because, I am testing out an intertap faucet with the duotight flow control ball lock fitting. So far it seems to be pouring great. Line distance is only about 3 feet. Which is great not having 9 foot of line per tap thrown in the keezer.
Click to expand...
That looks sweet! Very nice.

Questions about the flow control ball-lock fitting: Which one did you get, and how do you like it? Easy enough to adjust?

I ask because the stainless one on MoreBeer is something like $75 and I hesitate to drop so much on one if it's crap.
I use only picnic taps at the moment, but wasting the CO2 to go from carbonation pressure to serving pressure just rubs me wrong. Sure, for $75 I can buy a lot of CO2, but that's not the point.
 
PVC does not have very good insulation properties compared to other materials like metal or wood. PVC is a thermoplastic, which means it does not have a good capacity to retain heat or cold.
 
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