3/16 or 1/4 ID beer line?

[HeavyKettleBrewing]

Sneaking in a quick question today. I am converting the garagerator into a kegerator. Three taps, woohoo! I am drilling through the sidewall and mounting on the side of the fridge. I do not want accidents with door mounted faucet when opening freezer door. Freezer is used for food and I do not want to limit tap handle length or bendover when pouring.

Question: Do I use 3/16 ID or 1/4 ID? What is suggested pressure for each. Just looking for opinions/suggestions before I commit to the hardware.

Thanks

 

[Double-R]

5 feet of 3/16 is what i use,to each shank.I serve at 10#psi.Some have trouble with 5'.And need to go longer,but I'm good

 

[Brewnoob1]

I use 10' of 3/16 and serve at 12psi. A bit slow on the pour, but I get perfect head each and every time. It's not worth upping the pressure or cutting lines for a bit faster pour in my opinion. You do whatever works for you...but I'd recommend sticking with 3/16 and at the VERY minimum 5ft. Line is cheap, start longer and go from there.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

3/16". With 1/4" line, it provides much less resistance and you'll need ***MUCH*** longer line than 3/16. It's good for very long runs, but inside a fridge, you should use 3/16".

 

[codycodycody]

Same here. 10 ft of 3/16. I'm sure I could cut it down
But no need.

 

[HeavyKettleBrewing]

Thanks guys!!! I will split the difference and run 7' from keg to tap. I can adjust psi based on my setup, starting at 10#. You guys rock, thanks for the quick response! I'll post pics this weekend when complete.

 

[codycodycody]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f84/beer-line-length-pressure-calculator-35369/

Check that out.

 

[zachattack]

Thanks guys!!! I will split the difference and run 7' from keg to tap. I can adjust psi based on my setup, starting at 10#. You guys rock, thanks for the quick response! I'll post pics this weekend when complete.

You've got it backwards. You want to adjust your setup based on your psi, since psi and temperature determine the carbonation level of your beer. Look at a carb chart to figure out what pressure you'll want to run, and go from there. Tons of people have found 7 feet of 3/16" line is too short. I'd recommend starting with 10-15 feet.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

And remember, beer line is cheap. You're out a few dollars if you go from 7' to 15'.

(I suspect 15' is overkill unless you're running really high pressure though).

 

[zachattack]

And remember, beer line is cheap. You're out a few dollars if you go from 7' to 15'.

(I suspect 15' is overkill unless you're running really high pressure though).

True. If OP is using cheapo vinyl line 15 should be overkill for most styles. If he's using glass-lined barrier line I'd say to start with 20 or even 30 feet.

 

[HeavyKettleBrewing]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f84/beer-line-length-pressure-calculator-35369/

Check that out.

Nice link, thank you. I will use it. Now, it seems, I will have to setup a regulator for each individual tap. Chaching...

 

[HeavyKettleBrewing]

True. If OP is using cheapo vinyl line 15 should be overkill for most styles. If he's using glass-lined barrier line I'd say to start with 20 or even 30 feet.

Yes, OP is using cheapo vinyl line. According to spreadsheet codycodycody provided via HBT, the longest I will need is 10' based on some quick calculations on my part. It is apparent that I will need independant regulators for each line out if I am to stay true to certain beer styles. I force carb and have been using picnic taps in the interim. I don't even want to know what a glass-lined barrier line would set me back. I will look it up out of curiousity. Once again, thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[zachattack]

Yes, OP is using cheapo vinyl line. According to spreadsheet codycodycody provided via HBT, the longest I will need is 10' based on some quick calculations on my part. It is apparent that I will need independant regulators for each line out if I am to stay true to certain beer styles. I force carb and have been using picnic taps in the interim. I don't even want to know what a glass-lined barrier line would set me back. I will look it up out of curiousity. Once again, thanks everyone for the advice.

It's not too bad! It's all I've ever used but a lot of people report off-flavors if you let the beer sit in vinyl tubing for a while.

http://www.birdmanbrewing.com/accuflex-bev-seal-ultra-barrier-tubing-3-16-id-100ft-free-shipping/

 

[Yooper]

Nice link, thank you. I will use it. Now, it seems, I will have to setup a regulator for each individual tap. Chaching...

You really don't need a different regulator for each tap. Most beer styles have a range of carb levels that are good, and I find I like most beers carbed at about 2.4-2.6 volumes anyway. You may want two regulators, one for "regular" beers and one for very highly carbed or low carbed beers, but you probably won't need more than that.

I have three beers right now, all three at 12 psi at 40 degrees. I like that amount of carb, and most times both regulators are set at the same psi anyway!

 

[HeavyKettleBrewing]

It's not too bad! It's all I've ever used but a lot of people report off-flavors if you let the beer sit in vinyl tubing for a while.

http://www.birdmanbrewing.com/accuflex-bev-seal-ultra-barrier-tubing-3-16-id-100ft-free-shipping/

Thanks for the link. The price is very affordable. Tempted to buy 50ft just in case. There is no bend radius listed though. I'll research further. The prices for couplers and such are very competitive also.

 

[HeavyKettleBrewing]

You really don't need a different regulator for each tap. Most beer styles have a range of carb levels that are good, and I find I like most beers carbed at about 2.4-2.6 volumes anyway. You may want two regulators, one for "regular" beers and one for very highly carbed or low carbed beers, but you probably won't need more than that.

I have three beers right now, all three at 12 psi at 40 degrees. I like that amount of carb, and most times both regulators are set at the same psi anyway!

Thanks Yooper. I have one keg ready this weekend and another two ready in four weeks. A group buy on cornies got this whole kegerator build started. Can't wait to have more options. I brew mostly ESB, PA, and IPA so I'll wait it out regarding more hardware.

 

[krenshaw]

Thanks for the link. The price is very affordable. Tempted to buy 50ft just in case. There is no bend radius listed though. I'll research further. The prices for couplers and such are very competitive also.

i just installed that line in my keezer.. haven't used it yet but i have everything ready to go.. it doesn't bend nearly as well as typical vinyl line, but if you use a couple wire ties you can bend them in like 8-10 inch diameter circles and just lay them on top of your kegs to keep the more or less out of the way..

btw if you get them i highly recommend using the heat gun method to getting them over the connectors.. make it much less frustrating and it seems to seal perfectly..

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/accuflex-bev-seal-ultra-length-line-300630/index4.html

 

[JuanMoore]

You've got it backwards. You want to adjust your setup based on your psi, since psi and temperature determine the carbonation level of your beer. Look at a carb chart to figure out what pressure you'll want to run, and go from there. Tons of people have found 7 feet of 3/16" line is too short. I'd recommend starting with 10-15 feet.

This. ^

Nice link, thank you. I will use it. Now, it seems, I will have to setup a regulator for each individual tap. Chaching...

Not necessarily. A lot of people (myself included) find that the vast majority of our beers are fine at the same carb level. A second reg for the occasional different carb level is nice, but one for each line is overkill IMO.

If you do go with multiple regs and pressures, I'd suggest running all the lines at the longest length / highest carb level you'll ever want to use. The only side effect of longer lines is a slightly slower pour, and that way you can serve any of your beers on any of your taps. And the calculator only works if you're serving temp will be below 36°F. If you serve warmer, you'll likely need longer lines.

And I'm a huge fan of the barrier tubing, but be aware that it has much less resistance than vinyl lines, so if you go that route you'll need to make your lines quite a bit longer. FWIW I run my keezer at 40°F, carb most of my beer to 2.5 vol, and use 18' of barrier line on each faucet. The pour is slightly slow, but it gives me room for when I want to serve a hefe or belgian at a higher carb level.

I really suggest going with longer lines than you think you'll need. As I said before, the only side effect is a slightly slower pour. It's also much easier to trim a few feet off if it pours too slow than it is to buy a longer lines if it's too short.

 

[zachattack]

btw if you get them i highly recommend using the heat gun method to getting them over the connectors.. make it much less frustrating and it seems to seal perfectly..

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/accuflex-bev-seal-ultra-length-line-300630/index4.html

It took me a few painful hours to do 3 lines (=6 barbs). That was with no heat gun. Anything has to be less frustrating, so I believe you. This tubing had better last forever. :rockin:

 

[JuanMoore]

It took me a few painful hours to do 3 lines (=6 barbs). That was with no heat gun. Anything has to be less frustrating, so I believe you. This tubing had better last forever. :rockin:

It took me a while to get a system down, but now it's easy for me. I soak the tubing in boiling water, stretch it out with needle nose pliers, and heat the barbs over direct flames. Takes <1 min per barb. Just be careful not to overheat the barb or it will completely melt the tubing.

 

[HeavyKettleBrewing]

I just received all of my hardware and tubing today. I ordered 50 ft of vinyl tubing from another vendor. I ordered the keg couplers from Beverage Factory. I received the wrong air in coupler as it is not barbed but threaded instead. Not a huge pain as I only have one keg ready and already have the airline for it. I might just order a hose barb with female threads from McMaster. Order today here on Monday. I really appreciate everyones help and am glad I asked the question. I had no idea of how much went into a proper pour. I wil be posting pics up this weekend here and in another thread. If the tubing imaprts any flavor, I will switch to the accuflex barrier line. I can use the vinyl tubing for something else. Oh yeah, one regulator for three taps. I'll upgrade later if need be.

 

[krenshaw]

good luck.. i'm in a similar boat to you.. i just about finished up my keezer build and i'm going to get my co2 tank filled tonight so i can keg 2 beers i have BBs right now

 

[HeavyKettleBrewing]

good luck.. i'm in a similar boat to you.. i just about finished up my keezer build and i'm going to get my co2 tank filled tonight so i can keg 2 beers i have BBs right now

Show me yours I'll show you mine...Mein Kegerator! Cheers from the Left Coast! Enjoy