Before analyzing the need and importance of a beer fob, first, let us understand what is a Fob? It is a small yet effective device that happens to save countless pints of beer or foam from being wasted or lost at the beer tap through the draft beer system around the world. If you have not got this device on your draft system then you should consider getting it for yourself. Let us have a look at what a FOB does?
What does a beer fob do?
This device fills up with gas when the pressure drops inside it, filling the beer entry with a small buoy. This pressure drop comes when the keg connected to it is empty. The fob helps to keep the beer in the line pressurized, reducing the lost beer typically associated with the changing kegs. This is considered beneficial in long draw systems where the loss of beer for each keg emptied without a FOB can head into ten pints of beer. You must be wondering if you need the same for your draft system or not! Let us have a look at the same.
Do I need a fob on my draft system or not?
Well, you definitely need a beer fob on your daft system. You must be wondering why that is. Let us have a brief look at the same.
A beer fob is going to optimize just about any draft system. However, it is noted that a fob helps in reducing wastage and time spent changing and pulling through a new keg on a long draft system, the one over 25 feet. The longer the draft system that you owe, the more beer you will eventually waste if you do not have a fob. If you are one of those who make use of beer pumps then a fob is a must and you should anyway have it. Pumps need liquid in them to run. A beer pump naturally needs beer in it. If you do not happen to use a fob then it means that you run the risk of emptying your beer pump and having it run dry. This is considered one of the common reasons and causes for the failure of the pump and also it is something that anyone would not want to happen. You can simply get it together by getting yourself a fob for each keg and sleep with peace at night knowing that your pumps will not run dry. You must be wondering how much can a fob actually save you. Let us have a look at the same.
How much can a fob actually save me?
Though the beer lines vary, the standard beer line is known to have the dimensions of 3/16” diameter. It is the thinnest and contains approximately 1/6oz per foot. Therefore, every 6ft of beer line equates to at least 1oz of the lost beer. The longer the line, the higher the number gets. If there is no fob it means that when you happen to empty a keg. There is going to be depressurized beer in the line which eventually turns into foam. It requires an equal or often more amount of beer in order to push this foam through and re-pressurize the line. In case there is no fob, to stop this depressurization the amount of beer it takes to repressurize the beer in the lines rises with the length of the line.
This is all that you are required to know about the beer fob. Now let us have a look at the maintenance of this equipment. Getting this equipment is one thing but one is also required to work for the maintenance of this equipment. Let us have a look at how one can maintain this device.
Maintenance of a beer fob
The beer fob must be maintained and cleaned on a regular basis. So that the equipment can serve and last longer. It is suggested that a fob should be cleaned and disassembled by using a beer line cleaner. This cleaner is considered excellent for taking care of all the organic waste build-up in your fob. This is not effective at removing any minerals that might have accumulated. You will also think of using acid beer line cleaner during your cleaning process so as to remove the accumulated waste. This cleaner is more acidic and thus it is helpful in eradicating beer stones and deposits of minerals.
To clean the beer systems with the fob in place. You will be required to twist the knobs into the upright position turning them counterclockwise until it stops. Then it is required to operate the vent or purge button on a side a few times while flush cleaning to ensure that the vent will not stick in this position.
You can leave the fob in the up position until. And unless the cleaner or the cleaning liquid has not been flushed from the system. After that, you have to check the pH reading. This reading is supposed to be between the level of 7-8 before the beer is added to the system.
Then you will be required to re-tap a keg to allow the beer to get into the lines. Then you will have to open the faucets at the opposite ends until all the water is gone out and the chamber is full of beer.
These are the steps that you will be required to follow and your system will be ready to dispense draft beer. This is all about the maintenance and cleaning of the beer fob. You must be wondering if in case you happen to face any kind of trouble while dealing with the device, how will sort that issue or trouble out. Let us have a look at the same.
Fob troubleshooting
There are times when the fob will shut when there is still beer in the keg. If this happens, all that you will be required to do is push the side vents of the fob. Until the chamber is full of beer. Then you will have to twist the knob counterclockwise until it stops. This will somehow help to raise the float. Eventually, lockdown the knob by twisting it clockwise until it stops. If the fob continues to stop when there is beer in the keg. There are chances that there could be a breakout of CO2. Or there could be a faulty keg coupler seal that is compromised. For whatever reasons if you cannot get the keg to work properly. You can bypass the unit by twisting the knob all the way up by turning it counterclockwise. And also leaving it in the raised position. You will still be able to pour beer but you will be required to reach out to your draft technician for your service.
Beer fob is considered one of the best options to save a great amount of money by saving your beer not getting wasted. If you are certain about getting this equipment for your bar then you can consider getting it from Beer Fob. You will not only feel great about saving yourself a lot but also it will act as a savior in your bar.
