Beer Forum

BigStein · #1 (**permalink**) 05-27-2005, 03:05 PM

Hey guys. I have recently bought my kegerator and am on my first keg, Sam Adams Summer. My problem is that I have a bit of foam at my first pour every time I pour a glass after the keg has been inactive for 15 minutes or so. Once the line is clear and the beer is coming directly from the keg I have no problem. I have tried adjusting the pressure up and down (it is at 10psi right now) and am thinking the problem is related to a temperature problem in the beer line. If this is the case, how can I keep the line colder? It is a tower system and the line is contained in the fridge but I am guessing that the air is just somehow not cold enough. The keg is plenty cold by the way. Any help is appreciated.

Scott Zuhse · #2 (**permalink**) 05-27-2005, 11:29 PM

You have what is referred to as the most expensive system in the world. A beer chilled system! You need to use a small blower and flex tube to force cold air into the tower.

Then adjust pressure to 14 PSIG if your beer temp. is 38, 13 if 36.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

BigStein · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-2005, 05:19 AM

Yeah, that's what I figured. Thanks for the help. That link, by the way, didn't work.

BigStein · #4 (**permalink**) 05-28-2005, 05:41 AM

Oh, and how difficult is it to install one of those blowers?

BigStein · #5 (**permalink**) 05-28-2005, 08:59 AM

And also, is it possible to get a better quality tower that might permit more cold air to flow up naturally and has better insulation to keep it cold?

Scott Zuhse · #6 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 10:15 AM

I tried the link from the string of comments and it worked fine. Here it is again: http://www.micromatic.com/category.php?cid=151. Place the blower in an area that is out of the way and can pick up tje coldest air. Route the flex tube from the blower outlet up into the tower behind the faucets. If your tower has a 3" column, this should be fine. The air will return into the kegerator through the 3" tower. Check this link out: http://www.micromatic.com/product.php?pid=D4743T-PVD

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

BigStein · #7 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 03:21 PM

Hey, thanks for getting back to me again. I have since discovered that my original problem may have been that my temp. was too high as my fridge was sitting at about 42 or 42 degrees even though it was on it's "coldest" setting. I have since messed with the thermostat and gotten it down to 36-38. I thought this might help with the foam but it hasn't so I guess I am going to spring for one of those blowers. I don't think I can figure out how to wire the direct draw one so will probably have to go for the plug in and drill a hole for the cord (I guess?). I was thinking of cleaning the line and see if that helped but I don't have much hope that it will. But that brings up another question, how do you untap a keg that is ot empty and avoid the beer in the line spilling everywhere? Sorry for all the questions but I am pretty new to this and haven't found anyone local who can help out.

Flucky07 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-07-2007, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigStein

Hey, thanks for getting back to me again. I have since discovered that my original problem may have been that my temp. was too high as my fridge was sitting at about 42 or 42 degrees even though it was on it's "coldest" setting. I have since messed with the thermostat and gotten it down to 36-38. I thought this might help with the foam but it hasn't so I guess I am going to spring for one of those blowers. I don't think I can figure out how to wire the direct draw one so will probably have to go for the plug in and drill a hole for the cord (I guess?). I was thinking of cleaning the line and see if that helped but I don't have much hope that it will. But that brings up another question, how do you untap a keg that is ot empty and avoid the beer in the line spilling everywhere? Sorry for all the questions but I am pretty new to this and haven't found anyone local who can help out.

Just because your fridge is saying that it is 36-38 does not mean your liquid temp is 36-38. For instance, i needed to drop the temperature of my fridge to 29 degrees. That made the liquid 36.8 degrees. Just because the temp of the fridge is 36-38 does not mean that your liquid is. Draw a 1/2 beer dump it out. (or chug it) Draw another 1/2 and put a thermometer in it. It should read 36-38 even if it is .5 degrees higher you will get foam. The CO2 is escaping the beer.

Eric

mctripj · #9 (**permalink**) 02-07-2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigStein

But that brings up another question, how do you untap a keg that is ot empty and avoid the beer in the line spilling everywhere? Sorry for all the questions but I am pretty new to this and haven't found anyone local who can help out.

if you are spilling beer everywhere when you untap your keg, then you may be missing the check-ball in your coupler. the check-ball keeps the beer from backflowing into the keg and onto the floor when you untap it.