Avoiding oxidation! Need help from Keggers!

[derekcw83]

So from more of what I have researched, vinyl tubing is letting lots of oxygen enter my beer in the beer line (and the gas line, but supposedly less there)

From my own limited knowledge, I can assume gas in a liquid (beer line) will eventually make its way down the dip tube and into the beer in the keg. Yes, when I pour a beer I am flushing it (which that first few ounces tastes oxidized) but during the time I am not using, oxygen can slowly makes its way into the keg. Is that correct?

If so, would installing a ball valve shutoff right up next to the QD prevent "backflow"? My expert at my LHBS said an inline back flow restrictor would work, however upon considering the mechanical operation of one, and correct me if I am wrong, I feel the shutoff truly prevents oxygen ingress, which is the true enemy here. The backflow restrictor only closes if there is some kind of pressure on the back side, but it would stay open as long as there is pressure on the flow side.

 

[Die_Beerery]

Yessir, the fear is real.


http://www.lowoxygenbrewing.com/brewing-methods/beer-serving-oxygen-ingress/

 

[derekcw83]

Funny, I that's the article that started my new quest. I've been fighting oxidation for a while now, just started disconnecting my beer lines unless being used. But now I want an easier solution. Is the shutoff best idea in your opinion?

 

[Die_Beerery]

Neat, thats my blog/article.


Sure, that works, but if you are going to turn a knob everytime, you may as well just disconnect the line when not in use and save yourself the time/hassle/money. May as well do that with the gas as well (make sure and purge the gas line first though).

 

[mrdauber64]

They do make thicker walled tubing that should reduce the oxygen transfer. I know I have some thin stuff on one of my taps and that the first couple ounces are always flat if it sits for more than a couple days. My other taps have thicker walls on the lines and never go flat.

 

[derekcw83]

Neat, thats my blog/article.


Sure, that works, but if you are going to turn a knob everytime, you may as well just disconnect the line when not in use and save yourself the time/hassle/money. May as well do that with the gas as well (make sure and purge the gas line first though).

Wow, small world.
But isn't the gas side less likely to allow oxygen ingress? And what about this other poster saying that the thicker walled vinyl could help? Is that possible?

 

[Die_Beerery]

Wow, small world.
But isn't the gas side less likely to allow oxygen ingress? And what about this other poster saying that the thicker walled vinyl could help? Is that possible?

Nope, permeation is permeation. It will slow it down, sure. Look into bev-seal ultra as well.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Get to the beer before the oxygen does. That's my prevention method.

 

[derekcw83]

Nope, permeation is permeation. It will slow it down, sure. Look into bev-seal ultra as well.

What about 1/4" PEX tubing?

 

[derekcw83]

So I've been experimenting, I've had decent success keeping the qd disconnected from the liquid side. But I've forgotten to disconnect a couple times and suspected a quick decline in flavor and aroma. So I purchased an in line ball valve shutoff and put it on an ipa, and remembered to religiously shut it off after every pour. So far I still have pretty fresh flavor and aroma, similar to when I first began drinking it. Considering purchasing more. Besides buying hundreds of feet of bevseal ultra, is there any other solution anyone can think of?

 

[derekcw83]

So I've been experimenting, I've had decent success keeping the qd disconnected from the liquid side. But I've forgotten to disconnect a couple times and suspected a quick decline in flavor and aroma. So I purchased an in line ball valve shutoff and put it on an ipa, and remembered to religiously shut it off after every pour. So far I still have pretty fresh flavor and aroma, similar to when I first began drinking it. Considering purchasing more. Besides buying hundreds of feet of bevseal ultra, is there any other solution anyone can think of?

 

[pvpeacock]

Besides buying hundreds of feet of bevseal ultra, is there any other solution anyone can think of?

Only brew, keg and drink your beer in space. No oxygen there.

 

[universalfrost]

Get to the beer before the oxygen does. That's my prevention method.

Ditto...

Drink the beer ASAP ... Don't let that oxygen have a chance to get to the beer...

I've got a porter on tap that's been in my kegerator since august and no notice of oxidation...I have regular bevlex hoses for the gas and liquid and have never had any issues..

Only oxidation issues I have ever had were my own fault for not purging a keg or having to swap beer from a really clogged keg to another and it got too much exposure to oxygen.

 

[Veets]

Hermetically sealed kegerator and beer line enclosure all the way to the tap. Remove ambient air and replace with CO2.

(Although outer space sounds more fun)

 

[ProblemChild]

just drink faster