Beer Colder than freezer temp?

[dr.mud]

Hello, I just finished a chest freezer conversion about two weeks ago. I set my temperature controller at 36 degrees. I have my probe in a glass of water and the temp reads 36 degrees. My thermometer reads 36 degrees also (my thermometer is state certified due the line of work I am in). I double checked with another thermometer I have and still get 36 degrees.

Now, here is my problem, when I pour beer and temp the second or third glass, I'm getting 31.5 degrees beer temp, the keg, about half empty, has been in the new kegerator a week. I don't get it??? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[KillianBoy]

dr.mud,
Can you post what your temperature differential is and where you have this glass? By putting your probe in water temperature difference will be very small, compressor might be running quite long making keg colder. Also check when and how long compressor runs, also fan might help circulate air.
KB

[dr.mud]

The differential of the controller?? 2 deg. - I have the cup of water on the floor of the freezer. Should I put the kegs up on styrofoam or something??

[KillianBoy]

dr.mud,
The JC controller on MM site has 3.5 diff. so if set to 36 degrees, the temperature controller will push temperature to almost 32 degrees and since your probe is in water the temperature won't move very much either way, so compressor might be running longer and making the keg colder, and since a glass of water isn't the same as stainless steel keg of beer the keg might be retaining more cold then the glass of water. I think if you set the temperature to 40, the beer should rise to 36.
KB

[cubby_swans]

You can have 37 thermometers that all agree that your freezer temp is 36. You can throw all of that out the window, because all that really matters is your beer temperature, which often differs in temp from freezer temp readings due to various reasons. Could be the keg is closer to the cooling coils. It doesn't really matter why. It just matters that you know there's a difference. Adjust your temperature controller up until your beer is the ideal temperature you are looking for. Once you find the temperature contoller setting you want, you won't have to mess with it again, likely.

[redhawk]

Hello, I just finished a chest freezer conversion about two weeks ago. I set my temperature controller at 36 degrees. I have my probe in a glass of water and the temp reads 36 degrees. My thermometer reads 36 degrees also (my thermometer is state certified due the line of work I am in). I double checked with another thermometer I have and still get 36 degrees.

Now, here is my problem, when I pour beer and temp the second or third glass, I'm getting 31.5 degrees beer temp, the keg, about half empty, has been in the new kegerator a week. I don't get it??? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Don't know why people put their probes in water? I have mine dangling halfway down and have my controller set to 37 with a five degree differential and it gives me almost perfect 38 degree pours all the time. My keezer kicks on for about 5 minutes and then off for about a 1/2 hour.

[dr.mud]

You can have 37 thermometers that all agree that your freezer temp is 36. You can throw all of that out the window, because all that really matters is your beer temperature, which often differs in temp from freezer temp readings due to various reasons. Could be the keg is closer to the cooling coils. It doesn't really matter why. It just matters that you know there's a difference. Adjust your temperature controller up until your beer is the ideal temperature you are looking for. Once you find the temperature contoller setting you want, you won't have to mess with it again, likely.

I was afraid you were going to say that! I'm a fairly scientific and calculated guy, so sometimes it's hard to accept your facts Cubby. I will go with it and see where I end up. I appreciate all the input and will keep you posted!

[Jay1]

I agree that the bottom line is the temp of the beer in the glass. So regardless of what your freezer is set too, adjust up/down to get the correct temp tap pour. European beers are typically poured warmer and lack flavor when they are too cool.

One thing to note is that you should always check the second pour temp, vs the first pour as the beer in the line may be warmer or cooler than what comes out of the keg.

I have 30 feet of line, and use a professional gycol "ice cube". I keep the keg at 38, and then adjust my ice cube to get to the desired tap temp. Typically this is set at 28/29 to get a 38 at tap. Without the gycol cooling I would have a 44-46 at tap from a 38 keg. Warmer on first pour.