Familiar Foaming Problems (very frustrated)

[Brewster]

I have just recently purchased a full sized kegerator from a friend with a faucet coming out of the front door of the refrigerator. I have a 20 lb CO2 tank entering the side of the refrigerator and I have also just purchased a brand new 2 gauge regulator. I have been reading many different posts and also decided to get a new 5' beer hose at 3/16"ID. My problem is that it still spits out half a glass of foam with every beer I pour and shoots out like a fire hose if the PSI is raised. I have been forced to lower the psi to almost nothing (literally 0) in order to slow the pour down. I currently have a Bud Select keg in Phoenix Arizona and I am extremely frustrated with the way my kegerator is performing. I am wondering if the keg coupler is letting in to much CO2 and if I should buy a new one. I realize that restriction is a big factor but 5 feet should be fine. I also wonder if the CO2 tank should stay on the entire time, even when not in use. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated because we all know how glorious the first perfect pour is!!!

[psychodad]

Originally Posted by Brewster

I realize that restriction is a big factor but 5 feet should be fine.

IMHO, that is just one of many factors. Temperature, clean faucets, clean lines, clean couplers and keg balancing are also important. Check how clean everything is and get a good idea what your temperature is. then search for keg balancing.

[Brewster]

I have now cleaned the beer faucet, beer hose, and keg coupler to the best of my ability. I understand that keg balancing is a big factor but im not even close. The more I bump up the pressure, the faster the beer spews out. Again the only way i can get a pour at an appropriate speed is if I lower the pressure to practically nothing. Will this make the beer flat or can it be a temporary solution? Anymore help would be great

[john9671]

Brewster,

What is the temperature you are working with? It is really important.

John

[psychodad]

Originally Posted by Brewster

Will this make the beer flat or can it be a temporary solution?

I think you will find it will make it go flat.

I see that you are going to order a new 5' line. What do you have on it now?

[Brewster]

When I bought the kegerator it only had about 2' of 5/16" beer tubing. I quickly realized that was too short and too wide, so I sent away for 5' of the 3/16" tubing. I thought it would be the solution to my problem but after I installed it, the beer still flew out very fast. I just purchased a thermometer and it reads 30 degrees in the back of the refrigerator and almost 45-50 towards the door and faucet. This must mean that the beer is getting warm and foaming as it travels to the my cup. I plan to get an instant read thermometer and try the "glass of water in the refrigerator technique" but I still do not understand why it shoots so fast regardless of the temperature. I must have many problems

[lunkhead]

The front sounds too warm. You might want to check the seal on the door and faucet. If they are ok you may want to circulate the air inside to get a better temp balance.

[Brewster]

Just checked, the seal on the refrigerator door and faucet seem fine. I do agree with circulating some air to cool the inside down and reduce hot spots in the line, but Im not sure how. Is there an easy way to circulate the cold air coming from the 30 degree coil in the back??

[psychodad]

Set a small desk fan in it.

[Brewster]

After being frustrated for sometime, i have finally decided to throughly clean the back of my refrigerator and seek a repairman's help. Do you believe new free-on could dramatically change the temperature of my draft? Im not too experienced with fridges but would like to know before spending the money to repair it. Any thoughts?

[psychodad]

Adding freon is only going to help if it is low on freon. Determining if it is low on freon is not something you can easiliy do without the right tools or knowhow. And if it is low on freon, you'll need to determine why and have the leak fixed.