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MikefromMichigan · 11-28-2012, 03:20 PM

I started kegging 6 months ago and purchased 2 used kegs and a new CO2 bottle and regulator. After reading some of the forum postings, I assumed I should be able to carbonate and serve about a dozen kegs per 5lb refill. I use the Carbonation table for carbonation settings, but only get between 2 and 3 kegs per 5lb refill.
I use Keg lube on all O ring, and I have replaced all O rings. I have squirted star san on all connections to see if there is a leak, but I have not found any.

Just read about turning the keg lid 180 degrees to reseal and blasting with 30 psi and pull on the lid . I’ll try this when I get a refill tomorrow to see if it helps.
I’ll try again to squirt to see if I can see where the leak is, if I have one, but if that doesn’t work what other suggestions does anyone have. How else can I find where a leak may be?

Thanks

**dbrewski** · 11-28-2012, 03:23 PM

Fill a tub and submerge the pressurized keg? Sounds like a very slow leak somewhere.

MikefromMichigan · 11-28-2012, 03:28 PM

Good Idea. I guess I could do the same with the kegs and lines. How can I check the regulator for leaks?

bknifefight · 11-28-2012, 03:34 PM

Are you waiting for the kegs to be cold to start putting them on pressure? That will help but doesnt seem like its the entire problem.

brycelarson · 11-28-2012, 03:39 PM

you have a leak. I like to use my spray bottle of star san to find leaks - it bubbles nicely when you find them.

**cabron99** · 11-28-2012, 03:44 PM

I was charging a keg last weekend and sprayed down w/Star-San. No leaks. Bout 5 min later noticed some micro-bubbles coming from the release valve. Took off the lid, rinsed and replaced the lid... no more leak. Took a while to notice the bubbles.

**JuanMoore** · 11-28-2012, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbrewski

Fill a tub and submerge the pressurized keg? Sounds like a very slow leak somewhere.

This.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikefromMichigan

Good Idea. I guess I could do the same with the kegs and lines. How can I check the regulator for leaks?

You can form a sort of bowl out of duct tape that wraps around each regulator connection, and fill it with star-san/soapy water. Everything else you should be able to submerge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bknifefight

Are you waiting for the kegs to be cold to start putting them on pressure? That will help but doesnt seem like its the entire problem.

How would chilling the kegs first have any effect on gas usage?

bknifefight · 11-29-2012, 04:38 PM

I believe that I have heard it takes more CO2 (and a longer period of time) to carb up a warm keg of beer.

jmf143 · 11-29-2012, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bknifefight

I believe that I have heard it takes more CO2 (and a longer period of time) to carb up a warm keg of beer.

Which should help find the leak sooner, not later, as less of the CO2 will be in susupension and more will be in the head space.

**JuanMoore** · 11-29-2012, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bknifefight

I believe that I have heard it takes more CO2 (and a longer period of time) to carb up a warm keg of beer.

It does take longer, because solubility of CO2 decreases at warmer temps. The amount of CO2 used to carbonate to a specific carb level is identical regardless of the temperature. Waiting to connect the gas until the beer has chilled serves no purpose that I can think of.