PDA

View Full Version : Kegerator Help

davidp
09-30-2005, 06:38 PM
So I've got the ultra-sheap setup at my place, and I need some help. I'm on my 2nd keg now, and it seems to get flat in a number of days. Is this a temperature or co2 problem. I just read to put my thermometer in water, good idea, so I'll get a reading on that later, but for now, my co2/Argon (told you I went cheap) gauge only has LPM or CFH scales, no PSI. Any help is appreciated. Good looking site!!!
I'mRocketMan
09-30-2005, 08:06 PM
Those are "flow" meters. They read out in Litres per Minute or Cu. ft. per hour. I'm not sure you can use them to acurately carbonate your brew. Well all you need is the equation to... You might be better off getting another guage set!

Someone out there has the equation?

Cheers! Rocket
danno
09-30-2005, 10:07 PM
if our resident rocket scientist can't figure it out, I'd say we're in trouble...

I'd go get a pressure regulator...
davidp
10-03-2005, 04:39 PM
got my regulator, fresh Amber Bock keg, and thermometer in water. Temp 60 right now and ice on cooling panels, gonna defrost it and see after, update to come.
MeridianFC
10-03-2005, 06:17 PM
60F is way too hot. You should be trying to hit the 36-40F zone depending on brew. Also it sounds like you have a CO2 leak.
davidp
10-03-2005, 08:44 PM
No CO2 leak, defrosted and cooling now, got it at 40 so far, trying to dip into the 35 range. Thanks for the help.
davidp
10-04-2005, 05:10 PM
37 degrees and holding. Thanks again for the help. How often should I sanitize my hose and tap?
brian92
10-04-2005, 07:31 PM
I would clean your lines, faucet, and coupler between every keg at a minimum. I clean mine every 2 weeks or between kegs, whatever happens first.
MeridianFC
10-05-2005, 11:22 AM
I clean after every keg. This often times goes more than two weeks but I've not had any problems.
I'mRocketMan
10-05-2005, 04:22 PM
Originally posted by MeridianFC
I clean after every keg. This often times goes more than two weeks but I've not had any problems.

Same here! No problems waiting til the keg kicks!
davidp
10-05-2005, 09:52 PM
Wow. That's much sooner than I've heard elsewhere. Why so soon? Bars can't clean their lines that often, can they? I heard every couple months. I'd better start surfing this site more often, and heeding all of this free info...
MeridianFC
10-06-2005, 12:27 AM
Originally posted by davidp
Wow. That's much sooner than I've heard elsewhere. Why so soon? Bars can't clean their lines that often, can they? I heard every couple months. I'd better start surfing this site more often, and heeding all of this free info...

Every couple of months is way too long. When I worked in the bar trade every two weeks was pretty standard. The only reason I think they can get away with that length on a regular basis is they're moving through product so it doesn't end up sitting around. If your tavern of choice is only cleaning once a month you should mabye think about another tavern of choice. You could clean everyday if you wanted, it's not that hard, though a thorough take the faucets and couplers apart does require a bit of time.

To be fair on the bar side there can be a bit of beer loss, but not enough to justify 30 days between cleanings. Hell, in some areas the beer distributors do it for you.
davidp
10-14-2005, 05:22 PM
so clean the CO2 line also?

just soak in bleach and hot water? how long?
MeridianFC
10-14-2005, 06:18 PM
You don't need to clean the CO2 lines.
danno
10-15-2005, 08:57 AM
Meridian, I disagree... if you get an overpressured (or overfilled) keg, you can get beer blowing back into your co2 lines, (happens moreso with homebrew, but it's possible in the commercial world too...) so cleaning your co2 lines can be needed every now and then...
davidp
10-17-2005, 06:28 PM
Originally posted by davidp
just soak in bleach and hot water? how long?
BrewDog
10-17-2005, 08:58 PM
Once at first (to be sure they are clean) then again if they need it due to beer blowing back. 20 mins should do it.
brian92
10-18-2005, 05:51 PM
If you are getting beer in your co2 lines, I'd check the Thomas valve in your coupler (all new couplers have them standard now). This one way valve is meant to keep beer from entering the co2 lines. It's certainly possible for it to fail, but I've never had it happen to me and therefore have never had to clean my co2 lines with beer line cleaner. To be safe, having a clear co2 line is a good way to know for sure.