Keg/CO2 Newb questions

[aguyindallas]

Ok guys...need some guidance here. My wife surprised me with a kegerator a couple weeks ago for my birthday. Can't beat that, right? She is not like me...(researching the product etc...) so I ended up with a Nostalgia Electrics model. Its probably a bastard unti compared to what is here so be gentle on me. So far, I am semi satisfied despite all things. Very poor instructions, and the instructions dont actually match the equipment that came with the kegerator either. I would have probably picked something different, but I am certainly VERY thankful of her and the gift as a whole.

1. I am trying to learn to properly regulate the CO2. This model keeps the CO2 tank inside the cooler like many others. My question is that knowing I need to be at 12-14lbs of line pressure, do I set it at the regulator BEFORE I put it in the cooler while the gas is at room temperature? Do I set it to approx line level AFTER it is chilled or ?

2. It came with a 2.5lb bottle (I already bought a second 5lb)...and since I am probably ONLY 1/4 through our first keg, its already emptied that 2.5lb bottle. I am sure I must have a leak somewhere. I noticed that the regulator wasnt as tight as it should be when I took it off the bottle, so I am hoping that may be the problem...we will see on the next tank how things go. At any rate, I seem to be having a hard time with the gas pressure...always having to tweak on the regulator to get it right. I am guessing the cheap regulator it came with may be the problem and I recognize I may need to get something else/better. What do you guys use?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[cubby_swans]

Setting your co2 pressure at room temperature or when it's cold really isn't going to make a difference.

If your regulator needs to be tweaked AT ALL, that's a problem. I would get a new one.

2 1/2 lbs of co2 should last you at least 4 1/2 barrels. You have a leak somewhere. Conduct a leak test to find it.

[aguyindallas]

What would you suggest in the way of a dual gauge regulator?

[psychodad]

I'd get the premium dual gauge regulator from micromatic. and be done with it. It is a little more than some other regulators, but it is worth it IMHO.

[rickk1000]

If you set the regulator too high you are force carbonating (overcarbonating?) the keg, which would use more CO2 than if it was simply dispensing.

[aguyindallas]

If you set the regulator too high you are force carbonating (overcarbonating?) the keg, which would use more CO2 than if it was simply dispensing.

I believe this is (was?) the problem. When I was tinkering with the regulator, I could actually hear CO2 going into the keg. I put a new bottle on it this week and have it set at 12lbs. It seems to be holding well there AND my CO2 isnt gone!

[cubby_swans]

Force carbing the beer an extra lb or two wouldn't use a 2 1/2 lb bottle of co2 to the point you only made it through 1/2 of a keg. I force carb my home brew. Yes it uses more co2, but not the the extent the OP described in his initial post. You likely had a slow leak, initially. Hopefully the loose regulator you mentioned was the culprit, and it's been resolved.

Your tank pressure guage is not a volume indicator. That guage only starts to drop when you've completely exhausted all the liquid co2 in your tank and it is near empty. If you have a slow leak, it could take days to leak out. Keep an eye on your guage to make sure you don't still have a leak. As noted earlier, hopefully it's been fixed.

[aguyindallas]

When I figured out that the proper CO2 pressure for most domestic beers was 12-14lbs, I of course turned it down. I was "force carbing" the beer at 20lbs or more at that time and a week had gone by of me doing it that way.

[cubby_swans]

that still wouldn't have used a 2 1/2 lb tank of co2.