Strategies for locking beer faucet tap handles?

[J A]

My keg fridge is set up with 4 beer taps and a sparkling water tap. The fridge is dedicated to kegs but the freezer is used for meat and stuff. I don't always leave tap handles on but I've been doing so lately. The first few times I opened the freezer door and turned on all my taps let me to put a retainer that won't allow the freezer door to open with opening the fridge door and keeping the taps from getting bumped.

However, I've still managed to find ways to bump or nudge a tap and spray beer or cider out past the brush stopper - damn stuff goes everywhere.
Anybody have some sort of retainers that lock the taps when not in use? It seems like I remember something being available to solve the problem of inadvertent spillage but I can't find anything other than expensive keyed locks.

Self-closers probably work well but I don't want to replace all my taps. I could convert existing faucets by threading the plunger for a bolt and using a spring and washer but I don't want that project right now. I can see some basic hook or latch that attaches to the fridge door and grabs the handle but I'm not envisioning anything particularly elegant.

So...safety locks/retainers anyone?

 

[Ward Chillington]

Got some pictures so we can see what we're working with?

 

[Dave Y]

You can probably just add springs to return the taps to closed.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XXRMVF7?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2

I added these to 8 of m 9 taps, the 9th is Nitro.

I think I had to trim one of them but otherwise the all fit and they all function normally, they just now return to closed.

 

[J A]

Got some pictures so we can see what we're working with?

Edited to add pic.

 

[Bigbre04]

My keg fridge is set up with 4 beer taps and a sparkling water tap. The fridge is dedicated to kegs but the freezer is used for meat and stuff. I don't always leave tap handles on but I've been doing so lately. The first few times I opened the freezer door and turned on all my taps let me to put a retainer that won't allow the freezer door to open with opening the fridge door and keeping the taps from getting bumped.

However, I've still managed to find ways to bump or nudge a tap and spray beer or cider out past the brush stopper - damn stuff goes everywhere.
Anybody have some sort of retainers that lock the taps when not in use? It seems like I remember something being available to solve the problem of inadvertent spillage but I can't find anything other than expensive keyed locks.

Self-closers probably work well but I don't want to replace all my taps. I could convert existing faucets by threading the plunger for a bolt and using a spring and washer but I don't want that project right now. I can see some basic hook or latch that attaches to the fridge door and grabs the handle but I'm not envisioning anything particularly elegant.

So...safety locks/retainers anyone?

you can buy them on many restaurant suppliers.

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/search/beer-faucet-lock.html

You could also uncouple the keg. or use a really stubby tap handle?

 

[J A]

You can probably just add springs to return the taps to closed.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XXRMVF7?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2

I added these to 8 of m 9 taps, the 9th is Nitro.

I think I had to trim one of them but otherwise the all fit and they all function normally, they just now return to closed.

Yeah...I guess it's just an internal spring that makes the self-closers work...I was thinking that the plunger was different but I guess not.
Do you find that they're strong enough to resist inadvertent opening but not so strong as to make it awkward for anyone who's not used to pulling a tap (I ask because guests get their own beer and half the time they're walking around with a glass full of foam, even with regular taps ).

 

[J A]

you can buy them on many restaurant suppliers.

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/search/beer-faucet-lock.html

You could also uncouple the keg. or use a really stubby tap handle?

The keyed locks are expensive and cumbersome. Uncoupling kegs is unwieldy and my wife won't have easy access but I do have stubby handles and, yes I could just replace them for everyday use...I suppose that's the smart thing to.

 

[The Brew Mentor]

What's on the right side of the fridge?
I built one with the faucets on the side and it works out perfectly.
Other than that, just buy different, short taps.

 

[Dave Y]

Yeah...I guess it's just an internal spring that makes the self-closers work...I was thinking that the plunger was different but I guess not.
Do you find that they're strong enough to resist inadvertent opening but not so strong as to make it awkward for anyone who's not used to pulling a tap (I ask because guests get their own beer and half the time they're walking around with a glass full of foam, even with regular taps ).

Yes.
#FirstWorldProblems ;-) My taps are on the old fridge, right next to keg storage fridge. Open the door far enough and - well, you know.
But I found that once in a while I’d be gassing up kegs & what not and accidentally grab a tap handle, followed by a sound nobody wants to hear: beer hitting the floor.

I stuck these in the taps and they are easily pulled but move back to closed - not gently, but not with authority making it difficult. Obviously you need to keep the taps clean for the springs to do their job right but that’s pretty easy. They are great at preventing the “yeah, that’s closed ... walk away... return for refill and find a puddle of beer on the floor” no more dripping due to an almost closed tap.

 

[Bigbre04]

you could mount a bracket with bungies behind the tap handles and just strap them in place when not using them. with short taps it wouldnt be hard to do and undo it.

 

[Bigbre04]

D rings mounted to the top of the door might also work if you can make the sizes work.

 

[J A]

What's on the right side of the fridge?
I built one with the faucets on the side and it works out perfectly.
Other than that, just buy different, short taps.

It's up against a wall...

 

[Minbari]

Get a piece of aluminum bar about 2 ft long and bind the two doors together. right on the edge where the handles are. then both doors open together