5 replies to this topic

[Seven]

My converted chest freezer is currently out of commission (no available outlet) but I want to serve a coffee oatmeal stout (more of a porter, actually) next weekend when some friends come over. The keg is sitting at basement temp, which I'll have to measure but is probably around 55-60*. It's hooked up to CO2 at 12 psi. I was thinking about putting the keg into a cooler with some ice to get it to serving temp and using a cobra tap with xxx feet of line. If I'm thinking about this correctly, the beer is currently at around 1.75-1.90 psi but will get to around 2.8 psi once it's on ice if I don't lower the regulator pressure.

 

What do you recommend? 2.8 psi is too much so should I bump the pressure down to around 8 psi for serving? The keg is already at equilibrium so I'll need to bleed off some pressure. Any idea how much serving line I'll need? I just replaced some tubing and I think I have 1/4" ID, not the 3/16" most often recommended. I can buy new tubing if needed.

 

Thanks!

[Big Nake]

I would use the 3/16" personally. I always had foaming issues with 1/4". The 3/16" line at about 5-6' always seems to work well with about 8-10psi of pressure. I am one to carb most everything the same except for English ales which get less carb time. Otherwise my beers are carbed at 25psi for 48 hours, bleed the headspace, hook up to taps which are set for my system. In your case, I would put the keg into ice, bleed the headspace and start your CO2 regulator low (8psi seems reasonable) and see how the beer dispenses. Adjust based on what you see. I've done it outside on the back patio when we had parties... keg in a bucket with ice, psi on the reg set to 8-10. Good luck.

[HVB]

I use 3/16. I have a 100' spool of both that for beer and 3/8 for gas that I keep in the brewery.  I leave my CO2 tanks at about 12-13 PSI and my temp is about 42 and just let it go till it is ready.  I do carbonate on the lower end of the range.

[positiveContact]

3/16 here as well but just see how the 1/4 works.  also, 2.8 PSI sounds crazy low.  I'd think 8-9 PSI is the min for most beers particularly at a slightly warmer temp (if you are going to hit equilibrium).

Edited by Evil_Morty, 28 April 2017 - 11:04 AM.

[Seven]

Sorry, I meant 2.8 volumes, not 2.8 PSI! Sorry for the confusion!

[positiveContact]

Sorry, I meant 2.8 volumes, not 2.8 PSI! Sorry for the confusion!

 

I probably should have figured that out!  I don't normally think about the volumes that much b/c I just carb it until I like it.