31 replies to this topic

[DieselGopher]

As a recent recipient of a Brewmasters Warehouse gift card (thanks to ScottS and ED!!) I am looking at pimping out one of my kegerators. I really like the price of the 525, but don't know how they work compared to the 425. Thoughts, suggestions, comparisons, and input greatly appreciated.

[macbrak]

It looks like they simplified the design alot:old designnew perlick marketing materialThe new ones also don't have the exchangeable tip.

[BarelyBrews]

I have two of the 525 series.I like them,now im reading they have fewer parts than the 425 series .I don't think you can go wrong with either one really.

[gumballhead]

I have 5 of the 425SS on my Cooler. i couldn't be happier.the new material is way cool. when I priced the Perl vs.425 the Perl is a bit less expensive than the 425's are. either way you will be Pimpin'

[Big Nake]

I didn't even realize that there were different models. I picked up 2 Perlicks when I did my bar renovation and it turns out that they are 525SS. When I first opened the taps (more here), the one Perlick dripped for about 5 minutes after the first pull. But it must have been a fluky thing because it's fine now and these Perlicks (along with the 2 Ventmatic Ultraflo faucets) have been dispensing beers now for a week and all is good. The Perlick 525SS does not allow the spout to be changed (which concerned me) but the pours have been very nice (no hollow pours) since I got the system balanced. Cheers.

[jasonrobertcohen]

I'm also an owner of one and not the other (Have 3x 525ss). Very nice faucets -- not a hint of a stuck lever in 3-4 months without cleaning. I do occasionally give a spray of sanitizer up the nozzle but I don't believe that's a factor.I remember seeing a video of a new faucet design which would resist dripping immediately after the pour. I thought the video was for these Perlicks, but I may be mistaken. In any case, I get about 2 drips within 5 seconds of the pour then perhaps another 2 in the next minute. Why is this relevant? Haven't gotten around to a proper drip tray yet. Zero drips would be better than 2, but 2 ain't too bad.Bottom line - absolutely worth the low-maintenance factor.jrc

[gnef]

I essentially have all the different types of forward sealing faucets (except the creamer version of the new perl). I have the ventmatic ultraflows, old style perlicks, and new style perlicks.Honestly, they all work well for me, and I do not notice any performance differences (once I changed to 8mm spouts). The only difference for me is price. The perl is significantly cheaper for me, and works just as well. I do like the simpler design, and as long as the spout works well for me, I don't mind having it be permanent. Since I also bought the 8mm spouts for my VM and old perlicks, the price for each faucet is much higher than the perl. At some point I want to try the creamer version of the perl. When I needed to get faucets, Austin Homebrew did not have the creamer style in stock yet, so I just went ahead with the standard perl.

[chadm75]

I didn't even realize that there were different models. I picked up 2 Perlicks when I did my bar renovation and it turns out that they are 525SS. When I first opened the taps (more here), the one Perlick dripped for about 5 minutes after the first pull. But it must have been a fluky thing because it's fine now and these Perlicks (along with the 2 Ventmatic Ultraflo faucets) have been dispensing beers now for a week and all is good. The Perlick 525SS does not allow the spout to be changed (which concerned me) but the pours have been very nice (no hollow pours) since I got the system balanced. Cheers.

Ken -I'm looking at picking up a couple of these. What do you mean when you say the 525SS does not allow the spout to be changed? That's one thing that bugs me now about my regular chrome faucets I've got now, the pours are sometimes hollow or just maybe coming out of one side of the faucet. If these can give me consistently smooth flowing pours, I'll pick up a couple of these.Thanks!

[jayb151]

The tips cannot come off. The old perlicks had a tip that you would be able to unscrew, but the new ones are a solid body design. The entire faucet is one piece. I have been looking into buying some faucets and when I do I'm going for the new perlicks.

[Big Nake]

Yeah Chad, 2 of my faucets are Ventmatic Ultraflo models and they came with something like an 11mm or 12mm spout which created a hollow pour occasionally. One of the local brewers here in Chicago (who happens to run a metal machine shop) produced some beautiful 8mm spouts that you could put in place of the larger ones and they produce a beautiful pour and no drip/dribble after the faucet has been closed. But the new Perlicks do not allow you to do this, which DID concern me originally. It appears that these Perlicks have maybe a 10mm opening and in the 8-10 days that I have been using these faucets, they seem fine with me. I wouldn't talk anyone out of these new Perlick faucets and it appears that the design (especially viewing it from the back) looks very slick. I think you guys will be happy with them. Cheers.

[harryfrog]

I have two of the older style and two of the newer style. I had a problem with one of the older faucets, but the owner of the LHBS took it back and switched it for a different older style.I have thought the threaded spout option would be nice to be able to rig a threaded connector to a bottling gun to bottle straight off the tap, but honestly haven't done anything about it in the 6 months I've had both styles of taps.I like both, and the look is close enough that you can't tell the difference in the four taps (placed right next to eachother) unless you look real close.I did find that one of the open-ended spanners was a must have for the faucets. I haven't taken either apart since I installed them and have just opted for running a 1-liter bottle of PBW, followed by a 1-liter of rinse water, followed by 1-liter of sanitizer through the lines and the taps. I must say the carbonator cap and a 1-liter bottle makes cleaning very easy.I love the taps - now I just need a drip tray (especially with summer/ant season coming up...)

[chadm75]

Because of the inspiration of this thread (thanks guys, you cost me $50 !!!!!), I ordered two of the 525SS Perlicks. Mr. FedEx man delivered them yesterday and I immediately went down to the taproom and hooked them up. Right away, I could tell these little things I were going to be friends a long time! As Ken said earlier, the pours are perfect! I used to get a lot of hollow pours too from the standard faucets but not with the Perlicks. They poured straight and smooth all night long! And a very smooth pull....no stickiness at all. +1 on upgrading to these!

[Big Nake]

Because of the inspiration of this thread (thanks guys, you cost me $50 !!!!!), I ordered two of the 525SS Perlicks. Mr. FedEx man delivered them yesterday and I immediately went down to the taproom and hooked them up. Right away, I could tell these little things I were going to be friends a long time! As Ken said earlier, the pours are perfect! I used to get a lot of hollow pours too from the standard faucets but not with the Perlicks. They poured straight and smooth all night long! And a very smooth pull....no stickiness at all. +1 on upgrading to these!

Yeah, as my new Perlicks have gotten used over the past 2 weeks, I have concluded that they seem pretty solid. Chad, did you notice the assembly inside with the "ball" opening & closing? Pretty cool design and very simple. I expect these guys to deliver smooth beer for a long time with ZERO stickiness due to that design. Cheers.

[DieselGopher]

Ok, you guys got me convinced, the 525's hould be good. 4 on the way to my place this week!!! Thanks for the input.

[MolBasser]

I'm convincing the brewery to put perlicks in the sensory lab. We get hollow pours too often from the cheapy faucets we have now.I told the sensory director about them and gave her a link and basically said "We're SNBC, why do we have crappy faucets?" She agreed with my assessment.I should be able to piggy back on the order and get a new faucet for my keggerator.MolBasser

[matt6150]

So does anybody have the best place to buy these new faucets? I have 2 brass 425's but need 2 more. I would like to get some 525's, what's the best price?

[DieselGopher]

So does anybody have the best place to buy these new faucets? I have 2 brass 425's but need 2 more. I would like to get some 525's, what's the best price?

I'll be ordering from Brewmasters Warehouse. Good price, and I have a $50 gift card.

[Beergod]

Yeah guys, can ya'll give the scoop on where to buy these for the best price? I am gonna be pulling the trigger on 30 of them for a bar I'm helping to open. . .2 for $50? That would beat the best price I have found so far--~$28 shipped ea. at an Amazon retailer.

[gnef]

https://rapidswholes...tsStainlessWhen you buy in 25+, they are 23.25 each, plus shipping, I believe, but it should still be better than 28 shipped.

[Beergod]

Thanks for link, that should do just fine. . .when we get this little endeavor up and running I will give a heads up (I.e. a shameless self promo).