Jockey Boxes

[EatingSpam]

Hi, I saw a jockey box using the micromatic Cooling Coil, 50' x 5/16" OD which is doubled over in a 10 can cooler, Is that a setup that will work? Will 50 feet be enough to cool the beer properly?

What is the ideal setup?

I know I need to use a CO2 system using a coil not a plate..... but what else do I need to worry about when buying or building a jockey box?

[Hophead]

50 Feet works fine as long as you plan on keeping the keg cool - like 50 degrees or less. If you want to avoid icing the keg completely, you need to use 120 feet of coil but you should keep the keg out of the sun and off the ground (to keep any heat from the ground from warming the keg). If you're not keeping the keg cold, you should plan in using it up within 48 hours.

You need a CO2 system with both a coil and a plate. The coil works much better than a plate, especially if your pouring lots of beer.

I made my own jockey box with 120 feet of stainless coil and it works great. I don't have to keep the keg cold but I do try to keep it cool with a bag or two of ice. The main issue with JB's is that you need to mess with CO2 pressures as the beer gets warmer in the keg and based on how much coil you're using. I run any where from 25 to 40 PSI and constantly check and adjust to avoid foaming.

All the beer drinkers at the many events I have used it love how the beer pours and how cold it is.

[EatingSpam]

Thanks.... Another question... What is this so called "beer gas"? Is their a better gas then just CO2?

[Hophead]

Beer gas is a mixture of Nitrogen and CO2. It's only better than CO2 with very specific type beers (Guinness) or certain unusual tap setups. Most people use CO2 for everything else.

[edramshaw]

Actually, because of the resistance in the 50 feet of tubing you would be better served if you pushed your beer through the jockey box with beer gas. You will probably need to get the pressures up higher than what you can get away with with co2.

[Hophead]

Originally Posted by edramshaw

Actually, because of the resistance in the 50 feet of tubing you would be better served if you pushed your beer through the jockey box with beer gas. You will probably need to get the pressures up higher than what you can get away with with co2.

I'm in no way questioning your recommendation here but given that I'm pushing through 120 feet of coil with absolutely no issues, shouldn't basic CO2 be fine for a 50 foot coil too?

[EatingSpam]

Ok, So as a ideal setup for a portable system you would... or would not need Nitrogen?

I have read a lot of ppl having issues using jockey boxes ie.foamy beer, that is what I DO NOT WANT! So what is best? ok I have desided to go with the 120' coil. Now will it benifit me to have a nitrogen system?

[edramshaw]

Originally Posted by Hophead

I'm in no way questioning your recommendation here but given that I'm pushing through 120 feet of coil with absolutely no issues, shouldn't basic CO2 be fine for a 50 foot coil too?

I'm not sure what you are saying but if you are doing it with no issues then I wouldn't change anything. When I set these up I have the gas at about 28-32 depending on the set up. At that pressure it would overcarbonate very quickly and cause foaming, not to mention bubbly beer. A nitrogen blend will allow you to push the beer at that pressure with no overcarbonation concerns.

[EatingSpam]

Hello,

Ok Soo for a 100' jockey box, so as to not have foamy beer you should or should not use nitrogen?

what do u need for a nitrogen setup exactly?

[edramshaw]

You should. All that you need is a nitrogen tank and regulator. The tank you can get at your local gas retailer and the regualtor youcan get here by searching for it in the Beer Equipment Store.

[EatingSpam]

Ok, I should. But what do I exactly need? I am buying the parts off a local supplier, so I need to make an exact list. Like if I need check valves and what not. Can a Nitrogen setup be added to a jockey box after you have built the CO2 set up? I have not found any info on nitrogen setups on micro matics website so I am a lil lost.

thank you