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01-09-2006, 05:56 PM
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Neg Kegerator Leaks?
Hello all. I am new at the having a kegerator at home but certainly not new to drinking lots of beer. I have just set up a new Haier BrewMaster. Everything works find except when I open the door to the fridge my keg is leaking very very slowly around the opening to the keg. I have checked all connections and everything seems to be in order. What do any of you suggest I do next? I appreciate any tips you can give me.
On another note, the place where I bought this keg of beer gave me a black plastic keg, it seems to not be able to get as cold as I would like it. Would a classic metal keg get colder?
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01-09-2006, 06:20 PM
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Return the keg, they should NEVER leak! I've never even heard of a plastic keg.
Semper Fi,
The Gunns
"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin
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01-09-2006, 06:39 PM
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As Chuck said in the above post, kegs should never leak (a sure waste of product and co2). also I have never seen, nor heard of plastic kegs. and yes there would be an issue of coldness, all metal conducts cold better than plastic and the kegs now are stainless steel (food grade). I'd take that sucker back and get my money back or replace it with a SS one.
"If I had to live my life over, I'd live over a saloon"
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01-09-2006, 07:08 PM
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Don't take this wrong but.... What kind of beer comes in a plastic keg? Wal-mart Lite?
Semper Fi,
The Gunns
"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin
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01-09-2006, 07:18 PM
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I should of been more specific. I meant to say more of a rubber like substance. It might be metal but it has some kind of rubber coating on the outside. I think I may of solved the leaking part though as, I do not believe I had it fastened all the way to the keg. I am new at this, I guess we all have to learn somehow.
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01-09-2006, 07:34 PM
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The keg is completely covered in rubber? I've seen handles and all but not a complete coating. Glad to hear you got your leak fixed. What brew are you running anyway?
Semper Fi,
The Gunns
"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin
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01-09-2006, 07:48 PM
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I am running Miller Lite, I am having a little bit of a problem getting the correct carbonation. I have read all over how much PSI you should have it set at, but the problem is that everyone says something different. I have read anywhere from 10-20 psi. What do you guys suggest? Thanks again for all your help.
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01-09-2006, 08:05 PM
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That depends on what the liquid temp of your system is... Use the calculator at this link to help you find the right setting for your system.
http://kegman.net/tap_info.htm
Semper Fi,
The Gunns
"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin |
01-09-2006, 08:11 PM
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You'll also need to know the CO2 volume of your beer. I have never run Miller lite so I can't tell you that. Maybe Mark or Scott might know or you could call Miller and ask....
Semper Fi,
The Gunns
"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin
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01-10-2006, 04:02 PM
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Thanks a lot. I think I have it right now, I have have the PSI set right around 15.5 and it seems to be working correctly.
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01-10-2006, 06:03 PM
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I haven't ran miller, im thinking bout the norm 12-14 psi @ 38f. I tell you one thing tho, this is the first 1/2 keg ive gotten and I think the extra size in the unit is raising the temp. I checked my thermometer and it is @ 42f. lowered the t'stat and it is still the same. might be an issue with this keg foaming too. I dont like to lower it too much because the t'stat will be wide open, be my luck, come home one day and the thing will be frozen.
"If I had to live my life over, I'd live over a saloon"
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01-10-2006, 06:11 PM
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Have had mine down to 32f without freezing. Wouldnt recommend it though.
Semper Fi,
The Gunns
"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin
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01-10-2006, 10:22 PM
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Miller Brewing has utilized stainless kegs with a black rubberized coating. Designed to protect the keg itself. The material acts as an insulator. Disadvantages are if the keg is warm, it takes quite awile to cool down and they are expensive to repair.
Miller Lite is a 2.6 volume product. At 38 F @ sea level, 14 PSIG should be adequate.
Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute |
01-11-2006, 05:04 AM
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Dave, Meet Scott the Micro Matic "Beer Brainiac". If none of us amatures have the answer he rides in on his white horse and saves the day.
Semper Fi,
The Gunns
"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin
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01-11-2006, 05:43 AM
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Or at least on my Brute Force camo ATV!
Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute |
01-11-2006, 03:06 PM
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well found out the temp prob here. I always have the thermometer cup sitting on top of the keg, with this being a 1/2 keg it is up higher with the warmer air at the top. put it on the unit floor and ahhhhhh back to normal temps again. now I can adjust from there [  ]
"If I had to live my life over, I'd live over a saloon" |
01-11-2006, 03:39 PM
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That big a difference from the bottom to the top?! I think if it were me I would pour three in a row and measure the beer temp on the third. Hmmmmm I think I'll do that anyway, I keep my water bottle on the bottom too....
Semper Fi,
The Gunns
"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin
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01-11-2006, 04:10 PM
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OK, just did a check on my water bottle and the third beer, both are exactly 35.2 degrees on the money!  I would have figured they would have been off by a shade but that was not the case. The only down side to this little experiment was having to chug the first two beers. Didn't want to dirty too many glasses you know, just looking out for the lil' lady... 
Semper Fi,
The Gunns
"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin |
01-11-2006, 05:15 PM
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that surprised me too, a 4f diff in just a kegs height. just checked it again while posting this and now 36f. foaming is still there tho, will just have to experiment a lil further lol, burrrrrp
"If I had to live my life over, I'd live over a saloon"
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01-11-2006, 06:03 PM
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Topgun,
The easiest method of taking the temperature is to draw one beer and chug it. Then pour another in the same glass and take the temperature. This method allows you to quench your thirst, acclimate your glass and read the temp of the beer right out of the keg.
Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute |
01-12-2006, 03:40 PM
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Is there really that big a difference in the air temp. at the top of the fridge? I only run 1/2's, and keep my thermometer on top of the keg, and read 38. Maybe I will move it to the bottom and see what happens. When there is no keg in there, though, it gets down to around 30.
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01-12-2006, 03:55 PM
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Mark, if the bottle read 42f at the top of your keg that means the beer in your lines and coupler at the top of the keg is at 42 as well... I'm wondering if that is your whole problem to begin with... Have you checked your door seals to be sure you have a tight system?
Semper Fi,
The Gunns
"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin
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01-13-2006, 11:57 AM
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checked the seals with a sheet of paper all around the door frame. requires a bit of a tug on all 4 sides, so thats ok, will check the liquid temp later, dont need a buzz before dinner
"If I had to live my life over, I'd live over a saloon"
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01-13-2006, 12:17 PM
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by topgun3208
will check the liquid temp later, dont need a buzz before dinner
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If you were eating dinner at my Ex's you would!
Semper Fi,
The Gunns
"Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin |
01-13-2006, 02:17 PM
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