Keg Pressure

[Fry]

I am on my second keg and can't get poor pressure right. I purchased a new spring return faucet tap, using 5/16 ID line -clear- and even bought a new two gage regulator a couple weeks ago. If I set it for 13 lbs ( using Coors Light 15.5 gal ) the beer just flys out of the tap and its 80% foam. I tried to bring the regulator up a lb at a time and it just does not work too little then too much. I just can't get it to poor like at the bars.The only thing I have not replaced is the keg tap its self. I am using a converted frig as my cold box and the co2 tank is inside the frig.
What am I doing wrong.
Fry

[Beer Dr]

The beer line should be 3/16" ID not 5/16". Try six feet in length, and setting the pressure at 16lbs. Fridge temp should be 36 to 38 degrees.

[Scott Zuhse]

Try 38 F. Gas in beer hates fluctuation.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[tony95]

This is strickly ameture advice, so take it as you will. Your line seems to be too wide. From what I have read, a large diameter line like that is for very long runs (i.e. 20-30 feet). You dont have any resistance in the line to help balance the keg. If your only running a few feet, switch to 3/16 beer line and you will still need about 5 feet of it. This should work if your serving Miller/Bud/Etc, however, if your serving a stout beer you may need less resistance in the line. Ask mmscott what you need to use if you have a stout beer in your kegerator.

[Scott Zuhse]

Fry, have you changed your line diameter yet? When you do, use the 5' recommendation and target 38 F @ 16PSI for Coors Lt. If you choose to change to a stout, you will have to change the gas source to a blend of 25% CO2 / 75% nitrogen. Set pressure at about 28 to 30 PSIG and use the same line configuration.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[Beer Dr]

Scott, My suggestion of six feet was because of the 16lbs, needed for the coors light product. won't five feet make it run just a little faster than you want it to? Won't the extra two lbs. make it run about 8 oz. a minute more than the 120 oz. target? I guess about 5' 8" would be totally right. Correct?

[Beer Dr]

Scott, Sorry it's early in the morning! 5' @ 3lbs. a ft for 3/16". plus lift. Not awake yet, I apologize!

[dgod]

I sure could use some help! I recently purchased a Kegerator, it is complete (Summit). I believe it has 3/16 clear hose, about 5' long, internal CO2, I am on the second Keg. Temp is 36 degrees, Pressure is at 6#, 1st pour has a slightly enlarged head, remaining pours are fine. Beer lasts about 6 weeks, then starts getting bitter. I clean the lines every 2 to 3 weeks.

I have tried increasing the pressure, and results are larger head. Everything I read talks about having higher pressures......

What should I do?

Thanks

[Scott Zuhse]

You should reply with the type of beer you are using so that we can determine the carbonation level of the beer. Thus, we can determine the correct PSIG. 7 PSIG is probably to low and the beer is going flat giving it an off-taste.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[Scott Zuhse]

Beer Dr., no need to apologize. Six feet is acceptable. If it is to slow, user can simply trim back in four inch increments until flow rate is achieved.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[avdude]

Ok...


please help me, before my head explodes.

Haier Brewmaster (Best Buy, $349 with a coupon)

Foster's 1/2 Bbl

I have tried EVERYTHING to balance this system, but I still have minor foaming issues. Right now, I am set-up as follows, and it won't make any sense...

internal temp of fridge (measured with a fridge/freezer thermometer from Sunbeam) is 30 degrees

liquid temp (measured in a 12 oz. glass of Miller highlife with a Sunbeam cooking thermometer) is 36 degrees. The top 1/4 inch of beer in the glass is frozen solid, but under that, just cold beer. I tried this with water, same result.

Simple laws of physics would suggest that if the beer in the glass is frozen, the beer in the keg would also be close to freezing, but so far, this temp combination, combined with 12PSI, has yielded the best results, although I STILL have to use a pitcher to catch the first glass and a half or so, which I am sure is due to the tower temp...

my concern however is that the beer in the keg, is too cold under these conditions...

your expert tootilidge would be greatly appreciated.

-Brian

[Scott Zuhse]

Have you calibrated your thermometer? Also, are the glasses you are experimenting with inside the kegerator? If you desire an accurate beer temperature, simply dispense two beers into the same glass and take the temperature of the second pour with a calibrated thermometer. Adjust the temperature to about 38 F and set pressure to 14 PSIG if you live below 1000' elevation.

Let me guess, this unit has no system for forcing cold air into the tower[xx(].

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[avdude]

quote:Originally posted by mmcscott

Have you calibrated your thermometer? Yes.. Also, are the glasses you are experimenting with inside the kegerator? No, environment is disturneb as little as possible.. If you desire an accurate beer temperature, simply dispense two beers into the same glass and take the temperature of the second pour with a calibrated thermometer. Have not tried this..will do... Adjust the temperature to about 38 F and set pressure to 14 PSIG if you live below 1000' elevation. Live at 3850 feet roughly (+/- 250 feet depending on which geologic survey you reference...)

Let me guess, this unit has no system for forcing cold air into the tower[xx(]. You're correct, it does not...please advise of where I should drill holes, I WILL force air as needed...I am in a profession (HUGE Audio/Video projects) which allows me to have almost unlimited access to fans, so forcing air is NOT an issue...

Thanks,

Brian

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[avdude]

Scott...

I have built, and helped to build, close to 40 web sites...

I apologize here though because somehow, I was completely unable to respond to your comments in a format which broke out my replies from your comments, in the previous post...

Anywho...

Glasses are not refridgerated with keg...they are beer cleaned and seperated...chilled in my kitchen refer...

Thermo is calibrated per your instructions here...

Have NOT taken temp of second full beer pour from tap...will try this though!

I live at 3850' +/- 250 feet, depending on which geologic survey you reference...

Still, what worries me the most is the fact that the the refer thermo reports 30-32 degrees, the 12 ounce glass of beer is frozen to 1/4-1/2 inch, yet reporting 36-38 beer temp underneath frozen surface, and I still get 3/4 glass (75%) rapid reducing head when pouring... I have normal beer with 3/4 inch head within about 1.5 minutes...

I have not force cooled my tower, and would seek your wisdom as to HOW to do this, without voiding the BRAND NEW warranty...

I drill holes in multi-million dollar homes every day, so drilling a hole in my $350 kegerator does not bother me much...just gotta know the best way to do it to get power for a fan where I need it!

thanks,

Brisn

[Scott Zuhse]

Do not get caught up with what the thermostat reads. You should always balance the system based on the liquid temperature. If you are experiencing frozen beer or water, the system is probably set too cold. Continue to adjust until you can acquire 38 F. At your elevation and temp. at 38 F, Coors Light should be slightly higher than 17 PSIG. As to a forcing cold air into the tower, check this link on blower and flex tube.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute