Essential Tap Wall System Maintenance Tips For Long-Term Performance
Tap Wall Systems are the latest in self-serve technology, providing the perfect pour in a fraction of the time while reducing labor costs. However, to maintain this efficiency, regular cleaning and troubleshooting are essential.
After all, clean beer lines and updated digital systems ensure both safety and a positive customer experience. Following GS Draft’s commercial draft beer system installation, regular maintenance is key to keeping the beverages flowing. Read on to learn more about how to prioritize the three C's: cold, carbonated, and clean, to maintain your wall tap system for improved long-term performance.
About The Two Types Of Tap Wall Systems
Tap Walls are draft systems that can dispense beer, wine, cocktails, and even non-alcoholic beverages. However, depending on the drink selection you intend to offer and the layout of your establishment, you may have either a long or direct draw system. Both of these involve connecting beer kegs to tap lines, then using pressurized gas and specialized tap equipment to maintain product quality and deliver consistent pours.
Long Draw Systems
Capable of connecting coolers up to 150+ feet away from tap lines, long-draw systems keep beverages fresh and cold while being transported over long distances. Glycol-cooled taps are the key to maintaining the ideal temperature.
More distance between the self-pour station and the cooler also makes it easier to offer a more robust beverage selection, as drinks can be stored in a larger space separated from the rest of the system. Though, do keep in mind that the greater the distance, the more expensive the system. Increased distance between kegs and faucets can also increase beer waste, so proper planning, installation, and maintenance is vital for ensuring functionality.
On the bright side, this type of system will occupy less of your floor plan, providing more space for patrons to flow through your establishment.
Direct Draw Systems
Direct draw draft beer systems work by connecting dispensing faucets directly to the cooler. Kegs are placed beneath the system or on the other side of a cooler wall, minimizing beer line length for the perfect pour every time. This system can also be easier to clean and maintain, as everything you need to address is always right in front of you.
Essential Components Of A Tap Wall Draft System
The first step toward maintaining your new beer tap system is understanding how it works. For instance, tap wall systems typically include the following components:
- Kegs: These pressurized containers store beer and other beverages, keeping them fresh while not in use. Stored in either a cooler wall or walk-in cooler, they come in a variety of sizes and are often made from stainless steel. Keg couplers connect kegs to the air line (the CO2 or Nitrogen tank) and tap lines, ensuring an airtight seal, consistent temperature control, and proper carbonation.
- CO2 or Nitrogen Tanks: Hooked up to the system via keg couplers, these pressurized gas tanks help push beverages through draft lines. CO2 is the most commonly used gas, while nitrogen produces the ideal creamy texture for stouts and cold-brew coffee.
- Regulators and Blenders: Gas blenders and regulator panels carefully control the gas supply, ensuring that the correct pressure is maintained. This preserves the ideal carbonation levels and prevents excess foam.
- Tap Lines: Tap lines are the tubes connecting your kegs to your self-pour faucets. Both length and tubing material impact flow rate, foam control, and regulator load, making proper installation and line cleaning essential.
- Faucets and Taps: Typically made from easy-to-clean stainless steel, this last component is responsible for the perfect pour. Dispensing systems can range from traditional manual taps to automated self-pour taps, depending on the needs of your establishment.
Tap Wall Draft System Maintenance Tips By Component
Proper cleaning and maintenance are essential for maintaining beer quality. While GS Draft offers comprehensive repair and maintenance services, knowing how to take care of your system helps you maintain customer satisfaction while minimizing potential downtime.
Here are our top tips for effective maintenance:
Walk-In Cooler Maintenance Tips
Regular cleaning and maintenance should always start with your cooler. The correct cooler temperature is vital for maintaining beverage safety and quality, and prevents costly repairs or spoilage replacements. Here are some tips for keeping your cooler functional:
- Regular temperature monitoring: The cooler should be checked multiple times a day using a checklist, so temperatures can be tracked over time. Always keep the cooler between 36-38°F to maintain ideal beverage quality and carbonation levels.
- Weekly door seal inspections: If you notice temperature fluctuations or cooler inefficiencies, check for air leaks and clean or replace worn-out gaskets.
- Monthly condenser coil cleaning: Dust and other debris can reduce cooling efficiency over time, but a simple brush or vacuum can help clear away any buildup.
- Check airflow around kegs: An airtight seal around keg couplers is vital for consistent cooling and preventing warm spots, so It's important to check the quality of connections and avoid overpacking kegs.
- Testing humidity levels: Excess moisture around your keg storage can lead to mold growth. Always check for signs of contamination and consider using a dehumidifier if you run into consistent issues.
Gas Pressure and Supply Tips
From your CO2 and Nitrogen tank to gas blenders and regulators, proper gas supply and pressurization allow for optimal flow through tap lines while maintaining the ideal carbonation levels. Here are gas maintenance tips for tap wall draught beer systems:
Set correct pressure levels: Most beers require 12-14 PSI of pressure, while other beverages may have more specific gas and pressure requirements. Always adjust pressure settings based on beverage and keg recommendations to prevent over-carbonation.
Weekly regulator inspections: Regular monitoring for leaks, worn-out seals, and inconsistent pressure readings prevent spoilage.
Secure gas line connections: Loose keg couplers and other connections can cause gas leaks that lead to inconsistent pours, making it important to regularly check and tighten these connections.
Check your gas blender: Gas blenders carefully mix carbon dioxide with other gases like nitrogen for the perfect beverage texture. Too high or too low input pressures can cause the system to malfunction, making regular check-ins essential.
Promptly replace broken tanks: When CO2 and Nitrogen systems fail, keep an extra tank on hand or reach out to GS Draft right away to prevent costly downtime.
Tap Line Cleaning Tips
Transporting freshly carbonated beverages from keg to self-pour faucet, clean tap lines are critical for maintaining beverage safety and freshness. To prevent dangerous bacteria and yeast buildup, here are our cleaning process tips:
Bi-weekly line flushes: Using an alkaline cleaning solution, remove beer stone and bacteria at least once every two weeks.
Quarterly deep cleanings: To maintain high-quality beer and other beverages, use acid-based cleaner four times a year to dissolve mineral deposits and maintain proper flow
Weekly faucet and coupler cleaning: Soak the areas where tap lines connect to kegs and other systems in a sanitizing solution to prevent microbial contamination. You will need to remove any beer kegs filled with beverages and connect one filled with cleaning chemicals.
Inspect for kinks or leaks: Damaged lines can cause foaming and inconsistent pours, so always double-check for signs of leakage or blockage.
Digital System Troubleshooting Tips
Going above and beyond what's expected in the beverage industry, GS Draft's modern tap wall solutions integrate digital beer menus and self-serve software. While these systems play a vital role in customer convenience and satisfaction, occasional troubleshooting may be required to maintain them. Here are our troubleshooting tips:
- Regularly update software: To keep Beer Wizard Beer Menus and other digital components functioning as intended, be sure to install regular updates. These updates ensure you're running the latest, most effective version.
- Check Wi-Fi and connectivity: Digital systems require stable internet access for real-time updates and transaction processing. We recommend keeping your Wi-Fi router nearby as a reminder for regular monitoring.
- Monthly pour sensor calibration: Verify the accuracy of self-pour sensors to maintain portion control and minimize waste.
- Monitor system logs for errors: Not sure what's going wrong? Look for unusual activity that may indicate a hardware or software issue. GS Draft can also perform expert troubleshooting.
Exterior Maintenance Tips
Keeping the stainless steel exterior of your tap wall system clean is important for both sanitation and customer impressions. Here's how you can extend the life of your system while maintaining an aesthetic finish:
- Wipe down taps daily: Before closing, using a damp cloth soaked in a non-corrosive cleaner can help remove sticky residue and fingerprints.
- Weekly polishing: Polishing the stainless steel components of your system helps prevent corrosion and maintain a sleek appearance.
- Check for proper drainage: Check for clogged drains, emptying and cleaning trays to prevent overflow and sticky buildup.
When To Consider Professional Cleaning And Maintenance
It may be time to consider professional cleaning and maintenance if your system has stopped functioning, or if you can't identify what's going wrong. Don't fret! GS Draft's nationwide network of expert technicians is here to help.
Why Choose GS Draft For Long-Term Maintenance?
After our technicians install your new tap wall system, we never leave you hanging. Our comprehensive services continue, allowing you to benefit from ongoing cleaning, system inspection, and more.
Our regular maintenance services cover:
Regular tap cleaning and keg management to ensure the highest quality brews.
Troubleshooting and repair services for taps, equipment, and other components.
Temperature monitoring to help avoid temperature problems that can increase keg waste.
Inventory management solutions to track pours against sales, and manage keg levels to maximize profitability.
We keep your craft beer and other beverages flowing at the perfect temperature, so you can focus on keeping customers happy and raising your profit margins!
GS Draft Keeps Your Tap Wall System Functional For Years To Come!
From reducing waste to increasing customer satisfaction, properly installed tap wall systems maintain functionality for longer. Our experts at GS Draft System Solutions understand this, which is why we're eager to help you maintain your system.
We take pride in our work and are here to address any concerns you have about your system's performance. All of our systems are crafted, properly installed and maintained to help your business run above the industry standard.
Explore our comprehensive installation options by calling us at (949) 421-3882. You can also email us at sales@gsdraft.com. We look forward to your message!
