ebeer
Well-Known Member
OK, I've hit the wall and am about ready to throw my SS Ventmatic faucets in the trash and go back my old standard el cheapo faucets. Here's scoop:
I recently upgraded my two faucet tower to a three faucet tower and replaced the old faucets with new Ventmatic (Shirron) forward sealing faucets. Now if I let the kegs sit for two days without drinking, the first half pint I pour is sour. By sour I mean foul smelling, and so sour even the slightest sip screams infection. BUT, if I pour about half a pint out, all sourness is gone and the beer if perfect. I have completely taken apart every part of the kegerator assembly that can be taken apart. All faucet parts, beer lines, ball locks, etc have been boiled in PBW, rinsed with hot water, and sanitized with Starsan. I've done this multiple times, I know the lines are clean. And nothing is wrong in the kegs, I've taken the kegs and moved them to another refrigerator with picnic taps (a perfect, infection free pour every time).
So is there something I'm missing with the forward seals? It seems something is getting into the line, but never all the way into the keg. The LHBS guy told me his do the exact same thing, so he just "burns a half pint" and all is well. Call me crazy, but for $40 a piece, I think wasting a half pint every pour is unacceptable. Suggestions welcome.
I recently upgraded my two faucet tower to a three faucet tower and replaced the old faucets with new Ventmatic (Shirron) forward sealing faucets. Now if I let the kegs sit for two days without drinking, the first half pint I pour is sour. By sour I mean foul smelling, and so sour even the slightest sip screams infection. BUT, if I pour about half a pint out, all sourness is gone and the beer if perfect. I have completely taken apart every part of the kegerator assembly that can be taken apart. All faucet parts, beer lines, ball locks, etc have been boiled in PBW, rinsed with hot water, and sanitized with Starsan. I've done this multiple times, I know the lines are clean. And nothing is wrong in the kegs, I've taken the kegs and moved them to another refrigerator with picnic taps (a perfect, infection free pour every time).
So is there something I'm missing with the forward seals? It seems something is getting into the line, but never all the way into the keg. The LHBS guy told me his do the exact same thing, so he just "burns a half pint" and all is well. Call me crazy, but for $40 a piece, I think wasting a half pint every pour is unacceptable. Suggestions welcome.