The short answer is yes. While your beer will still carbonate without one, a check valve is the best "insurance policy" you can buy for your draft system.

What is it?


A check valve is a one-way gate. It lets CO2 flow into your keg, but it stops liquid from flowing backward into your gas lines.

Why you need one:

  • Saves your Regulator: If a keg is overfilled or has higher pressure than your tank, beer can back up into your gas lines. If that beer reaches your regulator, it can ruin it.

  • Prevents Mess: Cleaning beer out of plastic gas lines is a nightmare. A check valve keeps the lines dry and clean.

  • No Cross-Contamination: It prevents beer or "funky" aromas from one keg from traveling through the lines and into another keg.


The Bottom Line


Think of a check valve like a physical "Undo" button for mistakes. It prevents a small accident (like a tipped keg or over-pressurization) from becoming an expensive repair.

Examples of Check valves


Duotight: 

Inline