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Keg foam advice please

Discussion in 'Bottling/Kegging' started by nbt, Sep 17, 2012.

 

  1. #1
    nbt

    Member

    Posted Sep 17, 2012
    I put my 3 and 4 batch in the kegs 6 weeks ago. I set them to 12 psi for two weeks and didn't touch them during those 2 weeks. For the first 2-3 weeks after they poured perfectly. Since then they have increasingly started to pour more and more foam to where now i am getting 3/4 foam 1/4 beer. This also happened with my previous two batches as well. Using corney kegs, 5 ft lines and not sure abt temp in the fridge. Last night I shut down the gas, released pressure and then reset pressure to 6psi. Will check results tonight. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! Cheers
     
  2. #2
    WhiteEagle1

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Sep 17, 2012
    Try a colder temp?
     
  3. #3
    nbt

    Member

    Posted Sep 17, 2012
    Worth a shot. Quite frustrating...Thanks for the reply
     
  4. #4
    zachattack

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Sep 18, 2012
    You definitely need to know the temp in your fridge, this is vital to properly carbonate. But with that being said, 12 psi should be good enough if you aren't fussy about carb levels. Lower temperatures at the same pressure will yield more carbonation, not sure how that will help.

    Are you sure the regulator stays at 12 psi? Mine likes to creep up a little bit initially. Make sure you give the gauge a good flick to make sure it isn't moving. How long are your beer lines? Do you keep your tower cooled? Is it just the first pour of the evening that's foamy?
     
  5. #5
    day_trippr

    We live in interesting times...

    Posted Sep 18, 2012
    First, here's a link to the oft-referenced Carbonation Chart. Second, definitely get a fridge thermometer so you'll actually know how what carbonation levels you're dialing in.

    And third: five foot 3/16" ID lines are just too short to be reliable across a range of carbonation levels. At best you're at the threshold of CO2 break-out, at worst you'll never get a good pour. Invest in 10 foot lines and I believe you'll find excessive foam issues are a thing of the past...

    Cheers!
     
  6. #6
    nbt

    Member

    Posted Sep 18, 2012
    I have given the regulator a good flick and it seems to stay pretty steady however I will keep a closer watch on it. My lines are 5 ft and I have two shanks that I installed through the side of the fridge. And it seems to get a little better after the 3rd pour or so. The problem is at the beginning of the pour. If I let just a second pass before filling my glass it is not bad. But who wastes beer? I appreciate your help.
     
  7. #7
    nbt

    Member

    Posted Sep 18, 2012
    day trippr, thanks for the help as well. I have looked at the chart in the past but have just been lazy i guess and set it and forget. And the results are now evident. I will study up a little more and look into longer lines. Thanks again for the help. Cheers!
     
  8. #8
    TheKeg81

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Sep 18, 2012
    That sounds like your beer is getting warm in the line. Are the faucets cool to the touch?
     
  9. #9
    nbt

    Member

    Posted Sep 20, 2012
    The faucets are cool to the touch. They are outside on a garage fridge but are cool to the touch. The problem seems to be at the beginning of the pour. I can see the flow looks different for the first split second then it pours nicely.
     
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