To use keg lube on taps or not to???

[Swine]

I have my 4 Perlick taps apart and soaking.
In the past I have used a little keg lube on the o-rings when putting together as I have seen the effects of not lubing o-rings in the hydraulic world...
However this is the beer world, so, what does everyone do???
Not sure it matters but I have the 525 faucets, 2 ss and 2 pc.
Thanks.

[LeafMan66_67]

I haven't used keg lube on my Perlicks - doesn't sounds like something I would want to do either ... keg lube is a last resort for me on the top keg lid o-ring, and sometimes on the dip tube o-ring.

[Ruby]

All rubber seals require oils of some type to remain flexible and prevent drying out or splitting. Like the seals in a hydraulic system, their service life is reduced by heat, pressure and the the absence of oils or greases. Lube and keep forever, or don't and replace more often.

A little lube never hurt anyone!

[Swine]

I chose no lube this time around. Only time and volume of beer will tell I guess.

[Timothy Doane]

Ruby is right on the money!
If it rubber - it gets lube!

[McGruff]

I was told years ago on the phone to a guy from Simgo in Toronto not to use keg lube. I stopped using it then. I did find that my QD were gummed up in time and I had to take them completely apart to get all of it off. When I put my kegs together I just make sure they are wet with star san and haven't had a problem.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

I never lube the o rings in my kegs. I replace all orings when I get em, and haven't had to replace any of them a second time. I've been kegging for 5 years. Lube doesn't seem to have any value to me.

[Keith]

I won't use it personally. If I can't get a seal with just a new gasket the keg is gone.

[GuingesRock]

All rubber seals require oils of some type to remain flexible and prevent drying out or splitting. Like the seals in a hydraulic system, their service life is reduced by heat, pressure and the the absence of oils or greases. Lube and keep forever, or don't and replace more often.

A little lube never hurt anyone!

Wouldn't the beer keep the rubber moist? Lube might harbour bacteria, but not so much of a concern in a faucet maybe as it get's flushed out fairly frequently.

Same with kegs, I always keep liquid in them and prefer not to use lube because of the bacteria thing.

[mthibodeau]

personally I use lube, but thats after working in a lab one summer where it was drilled into all of use to always lube the gaskets. The beer doesnt keep the seals moist in the areas it doesnt touch, which is really a lot of the o-ring, and also dry seals can tear and stretch easier when putting things together.

As to the bacteria thing, honestly never thought of that, its sanitary lube used in the food industry all the time, so I just figured it must be fine

[GuingesRock]

As to the bacteria thing, honestly never thought of that, its sanitary lube used in the food industry all the time, so I just figured it must be fine

Some info on that here: http://www.brewnosers.org/forums/viewto ... ube#p75337" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ruby]

All rubber seals require oils of some type to remain flexible and prevent drying out or splitting. Like the seals in a hydraulic system, their service life is reduced by heat, pressure and the the absence of oils or greases. Lube and keep forever, or don't and replace more often.

A little lube never hurt anyone!

Wouldn't the beer keep the rubber moist? Lube might harbour bacteria, but not so much of a concern in a faucet maybe as it get's flushed out fairly frequently.

Same with kegs, I always keep liquid in them and prefer not to use lube because of the bacteria thing.

I only use the barest of coverings, and the seals don't need it every time, just when they start to look dry. I suppose it could add the danger of being a magnet for dirt and contamination. As for keeping the seals moist, the oils penetrate the material in a way that water based liquids cannot penetrate.

Welcome back Mark! Thanks for always keeping me thinking, mate!

[mthibodeau]

forgot to mention earlier, but when I use lube on the seals a little (and I mean a very little) goes a long way. Basically use just enough to make the seal look a bit shiny