Another foam issue

[bang]

New here and I know you hear this question often but I need some help. I am on my 5th keg and have started having issues. I thought at first I may have just needed to clean my lines, tap ect. but after 2 cleanings I have issues still. On the last keg, I never could pour a glass with out head that was half a glass high. This current keg started out perfect and with out changing a thing is becoming the same as the last one. I have tried pressure from 9-14 lbs. am currently at 12. Only have 4ft of line from the keg to the tap. Current temp is the only thing I cant give you at this time. It has taken me 3 kegs to get it to where the line doesn't freeze so I'm gonna guess I am in the 34-36 range but will thermo it tonight. What other info do you need to help me with this issue. I enjoy keg beer but am getting tired of having to wait til the half glass foam subsides to fill the rest the way. Thanks for any help you can give me I really appreciate it.

[edramshaw]

If you are assuming that the beer is freezing at 32 you are more likely sitting at 29-30 degrees as beer does not freeze until about 29 degrees or so, depending on the beer. Pressure and temperature are all related so you need to know what the temp is. Pick up a dial type thermometer, do a search for calibrating a thermometer on this forum and follow the instructions for doing so. Place a glass of water in the fridge and let it sit overnight. Get an accurate temp reading and post back your findings. You will probably need a longer line than 4', what is the ID of the line? At 3/16" you would want about 5' or so. Depending on the flow rate you are looking for.

[bang]

I didn't have time to get the thermo. but will do it tonight. To add a little more info that might help you help me, If it is being used regularly, for instance last night the wife and I were hittin it pretty well, the first pull is 1/2 -3/4 foam the next pull is fine. As long as it didn't sit idle to long it pulled fine. soon as it sat for a bit foam again. I'll get on the temp issue though and get that straight.

Thanks again!!

[edramshaw]

Do you have a tower or does the tap run through the door of a refrigerator? What you describe sounds like the beer in the line is warming. If the problem just started it could be due to the warmer weather.

[bang]

Fridge door. That could very well be the problem. It is in my garage and it has been fairly warm. I didn't get the temp yet, things came up last night that needed my attention. I really appreciate your help and look forward to learning more from this forum.

[Bud Man]

I have five feet of line and no tower just the tap through the door. I hate the foam my is all foam. Just high pressure but i don't think my lines get warm?

[edramshaw]

What is the ID of the line? How far does the shank extend into the fridge? All foam or just for the first beer?

[bang]

Originally Posted by edramshaw

What is the ID of the line? How far does the shank extend into the fridge? All foam or just for the first beer?

You know I really couldn't say right off the top of my head what the ID is. I had the line made by a company that supplies and services restaurant equiptment. They cut all the lines, hooked me up with the tap, shank,regulator and put everything together for me. All I had to do was drill the hole in the door and hook it up to the keg and Co2.
Its generally just the first pull if you stay after it, if it sits to long between pulls it will get foam again. Ex. If I pour 2 in a row, one right after the other, the second glass is fine.

[mcrambo]

When you figure out your temp. you also should let us know what your elevation is, these two go hand in hand. I'll almost bet you that your co2 pressure is to low. You can do what we in the beverage industry call the bubble test to set your regulator pressure and your problem will go away. Pour off a little bit of beer, then look where the beer line attaches to the tapping device and see if you notice bubbles rising. If you do, turn the adjustment screw on the regulator clockwise about a 1/4 turn, let it charge for a couple of minutes. Then pour off some more beer and again look for the bubbles. Just keep repeating this process until you have no more bubbles and your pressure will be set exactly where it needs to be for the temp. and elevation.
Good Luck

[psychodad]

Originally Posted by bang

I thought at first I may have just needed to clean my lines, tap ect. but after 2 cleanings I have issues still.

How are you cleaning them? If you are simply running beer line cleaner through them, you likely aren't getting it all. The tap and faucet need taken apart and cleaned to get everything. It won't take much funk to make your beer junk.