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Blichmann QuickCarb (New from HomebrewCon 2016)

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My QuickCarb arrived today. I'm on my way to the west coast but I did open the box. The only other thing I have from Blichmann is a BeerGun which I have never used. The first thing I noticed as soon as I opened the box was the nice plastic case this comes in. It's like a case a drill or similar power tool comes in. Very nice Blichmann. Now all I have to do is find the time to brew up a batch!

Plastic Case?
Can you please post a photo of that? Mine did not come in a plastic case at all.
 
Plastic Case?
Can you please post a photo of that? Mine did not come in a plastic case at all.

I can, but it will probably be Thursday. I'm in San Francisco for business and will not be back home until very late Wednesday night. You must have been an early adapter before the final packaging. It is basically a plastic case with a handle just like cordless drill comes in.
 
Got this thing a few weeks ago and I just love it now.

I have to admit that the instructions (ie: user manual) are pretty sparse... hopefully they fix that now.
Here is the info I got back from them with a few of my interpretations:

"It is a diaphragm style pump and it is a self priming pump.
There should be no chance of oxidation as long as all the hoses are tight and you follow the instructions. ()
You can use it in your keg refrigerator / freezer while it is running. (read as "one hour max" depending if you run Frost Free or not)
FYI - It will do each 5 gallons in about an hour so a 15 gallon should take about 3 hours."
"We found the heat rating for the pump, it should not have liquid going through it over 140 degrees F."

As I know that everyone has differing degrees that they work with for PBW... please be careful!

Other than that - the only other thing is that the tubes are vinyl - an easy change out with addition of flares.

I run about 5psi higher than my target and then lift if off before it hits the hour mark and I am good to go each time - for a 5g corny - about an hour 30 for 8g kegs - haven't built my cool room yet so I don't run 15g kegs yet =;>
 
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Plastic Case?
Can you please post a photo of that? Mine did not come in a plastic case at all.

OK, I actually remembered I promised a photo. The QuickCarb is just all inside the case. There are no special molds to hold things in place. I'm really looking forward to using this thing.

DSC_0088.jpg


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Now that I have the QuickCarb, I may buy one of these little Taprite CO2 testers. It is definitely far below the quality of a real Zahm but also $1,200 less expensive.

Taprite CO2 tester.jpg
 
Plastic Case?
Can you please post a photo of that? Mine did not come in a plastic case at all.

I didn't get a case either and I'm a little bummed :(. It is something it seems like it should have. I actually thought that when I first opened the package. I've written to Blichmann. I'll post an update when I get it.
 
I didn't get a case either and I'm a little bummed :(. It is something it seems like it should have. I actually thought that when I first opened the package. I've written to Blichmann. I'll post an update when I get it.

Update:

Customer service wrote me back. They didn't have cases for the initial run. They told me to send my mailing address and they would send me one. Pretty awesome customer service. now I'm :)
 
I picked up a QuickCarb yesterday, and today I'm carbing my first keg with it. I've got to say that the build quality is impressive. I was thinking of building my own, but I'm glad I bought theirs instead— the hardware is top notch and in some cases custom made. The tee that holds the carb stone, for instance, is longer than conventional, protecting the stone; and in the CO2 end it's embossed "gas." Not necessary, but a nice touch.


The instructions are clear. I've keg carbed a few batches, and I've got to say I like the clarity and simplicity of using this process instead. It's easier to set up, clean and sterilize; and if you are doing a few kegs it is much easier and quicker.

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IMG_8831.jpg


IMG_8830.jpg


IMG_8837.jpg
 
I picked up a QuickCarb yesterday, and today I'm carbing my first keg with it. I've got to say that the build quality is impressive. I was thinking of building my own, but I'm glad I bought theirs instead— the hardware is top notch and in some cases custom made. The tee that holds the carb stone, for instance, is longer than conventional, protecting the stone; and in the CO2 end it's embossed "gas." Not necessary, but a nice touch.


The instructions are clear. I've keg carbed a few batches, and I've got to say I like the clarity and simplicity of using this process instead. It's easier to set up, clean and sterilize; and if you are doing a few kegs it is much easier and quicker.

Same here, just got mine in last week. I've got 6 kegs to fill this week and I am looking foward to now having to worry about over carbing. I've been so sick of being impatient and over carbing beers and wasting hop aroma and foam. To me, the build quality is great, and for the limited time I have to brew it sure is helpful.
 
Has anyone tried using this to recirculate dry hops in a keg with a filter on the diptube? Or used it to clean their tap lines?
 
You are asking about the pump I think. Not the carb stone...
Sure - if you take the carb stone out of the setup and just use the pump it is strong enough to push beer through a hop rocket - but do you really want to?
How do you make sure that you can get all the particulates out of the pump head after you do? I have not had the time or the inclination to do that yet...
Cleaning tap lines should be fine too - again - if you take the carb stone out of the equation... stay tuned for my post on this subject soon as it is with the welders now =;>
 
Just asked BE what the max PSI rating for this pump is.

The answer for inquiring minds is 50 PSI max.

edit: yes - I do a lot of seltzer water - Why pay for a SodaStream when you have this thing!
 
Just asked BE what the max PSI rating for this pump is.

The answer for inquiring minds is 50 PSI max.

edit: yes - I do a lot of seltzer water - Why pay for a SodaStream when you have this thing!

There are more powerful 12v and 24v versions of this same pump on ebay for $35 if your looking for something that pumps harder.
 
There are more powerful 12v and 24v versions of this same pump on ebay for $35 if your looking for something that pumps harder.

Got it - was noting the actual pressure that this pump can take in terms of PSI ie: from a regulator.

Now you got my mind moving on a new project - damn you! j/k =;>
 
Got it - was noting the actual pressure that this pump can take in terms of PSI ie: from a regulator.

Now you got my mind moving on a new project - damn you! j/k =;>
Understood, wasnt sure if thats what you meant...

I just bought one myself along with all the hardware to make my own quickcarb for $70... Then I said what the hell I might as well add a filter to see what all the hype is about... sometimes I get impatient waiting for the beer to clear on its own and if this helps speed it along well Ill give it a shot.
 
Ive been having issues with the pump leaking where the pump meets the motor. Ive reached out to blichmann but havent heard a response from their social media or contact form yet, anyone have any suggestions other than complete disassemble and some food grade silicone?

*** EDIT - blichmann support got back to me and are sending me a replacement unit. once again they stand behind their product without question! for anyone wondering, i have about 6 kegs through the quick carb.

Heres is a video you can see the leaking.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8y2X0BdKbQ[/ame]
 
Does anyone know if you can use the quick carb with a nitro set-up?

I would not use CO2/nitro mix tank with this. I would use standard CO2 tank with the QuickCarb. Once the beer is carbonated you will be fine to hook it up to your nitro system. The nitro just provides the extra pressure needed to push the beer through the small holes in the tap.
 
I would not use CO2/nitro mix tank with this. I would use standard CO2 tank with the QuickCarb. Once the beer is carbonated you will be fine to hook it up to your nitro system. The nitro just provides the extra pressure needed to push the beer through the small holes in the tap.
Have you ever tried to push fully co2 carved beer through a nitro tap under nitro pressure? You get a glass of foam.
 
Have you ever tried to push fully co2 carved beer through a nitro tap under nitro pressure? You get a glass of foam.

If carbed to an "average ale" level, you'd be correct, but in fairness, he didn't specify the level of carbonation.
fwiw, I carb my stouts on straight CO2 to ~1.5 volumes before putting them on beer gas...

Cheers!
 
If carbed to an "average ale" level, you'd be correct, but in fairness, he didn't specify the level of carbonation.
fwiw, I carb my stouts on straight CO2 to ~1.5 volumes before putting them on beer gas...

Cheers!

Very true, I usually do the same... once I started carbing a porter on co2 and decided midway to switch to nitro and had to relieve the pressure a few times and wait days before the pour was decent on my nitro tap with the restrictor plate installed.
 
If carbed to an "average ale" level, you'd be correct, but in fairness, he didn't specify the level of carbonation.
fwiw, I carb my stouts on straight CO2 to ~1.5 volumes before putting them on beer gas...

Cheers!

This was my process too. 1.5 volumes with the quick carb, switched over to beer gas (25/75) and 52 PSI (based on the link previously given). Beer pours beautifully, long-lasting head. Carb level has maintained, as well.

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Brian Brinley.. good to hear. I mentioned your video in my review here:

https://youtu.be/1tBEJQq5F0A

Thanks, for clarity it was actually leaking at the pump head and not the pump inlet tube. Hence the reason they sent out a replacement. But like I said super speedy service and no questions asked other than how many batches i've ran through it.
 
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