beer VS water- carbonation question

[Tvc15]

I would like to hook up a 5 gallon keg of beer and a 3 gallon keg of water to the same c02 canister... here is what i was planing...

Hooking up both kegs to the same C02 via a traditional manifold

Water:
24 hours at 60 psi, beer disconnected- Purge air, fill to 12 psi, drink

Beer:
24 hours at 30 psi, water disconnected- Purge air, fill to 12 psi connect water, wait for two weeks.

Question!
1) Will the water remain at a slightly higher PSI?
2) Once a keg reaches a PSI, lets say 25 PSI, will it stay there if you supply it with 12 PSI to maintain it?
3) Am I totally hosed and will this require a manifold with a new valve?

I just want to get my kids some joy while I enjoy...

Help please... I know Im missing something obvious!

Cheers!

 

[karmak]

In the long run you'll want a dual line regulator. Yes it is a bit more pricey but it's so nice to set it and forget it. Or at least, that's how I imagine it since my set up isn't finished yet, but I will have a dedicated regulator for water and the other for the rest of the bevs.

With your scenario, it'll be carbed just fine initially, but it'll fall flat sooner than later. It all depends on your carbonation level preference of course.

My initial set up came with a single line regulator, but my plan is to swap it with another tank/2 line regulator and use this other one to keep outside for carbing purposes only, which will help take off some load from the tank in the keezer, and go nice with my carbing caps to carbonate some home made soda.

 

[Tvc15]

With your scenario, it'll be carbed just fine initially, but it'll fall flat sooner than later. It all depends on your carbonation level preference of course.

So maintaining the beverage pressure is nessesary? I had assumed that once the co2 was in solution it stayed there and that the co2 in the head space was just there to push the fluid out....

 

[BBL_Brewer]

You need to maintain your carb pressure. If you drop your serving pressure below your carb pressure it will lose carb after a while. Use a carbonation chart and set the pressure where you want it and leave it there. Here's one you can look at.

http://www.kegerators.com/carbonation-table.php

 

[Curtis2010]

... you'll want a dual line regulator. Yes it is a bit more pricey but it's so nice to set it and forget it....

+1, if you want to make beer and carbonated water then install a double regulator rig. We drink about 3 liters of carbed water and/or mineral water per day. I have a dual regulator rig so that I can accurately control the carb pressure of beer vs. water. Carbonated water and mineral water are typically much more highly carbonated than is stylistically correct for most beers. I carb my water at about 50PSI at 45F.

I also use Carbonator caps to carbonate water in 1.5 to 3.0 liter bottles. A bit spendy for a fitting, but works well.

This also allows you to correctly carbonate two different styles of beer at one time.

 

[Tvc15]

Thanks for all the tips!

 

[JuanMoore]

To add to the other comments, 60psi for 24 hrs is almost certain to result in seriously overcarbed beer if done at serving temp.

 

[Curtis2010]

To add to the other comments, 60psi for 24 hrs is almost certain to result in seriously overcarbed beer if done at serving temp.

Yes, I mixed up my hoses once (I keep one at about 50PSI for water and one at about 12psi for beer)...it took me moment to realize this as foam exploded out of the glass! Mark your hoses.

 

[karmak]

After saying I was going to get a dual line regulator yesterday, I go and buy a 4 line secondary reg instead. Just more control I guess.

I have not tried my carb caps yet but I got a set from the same guy I got my crankenstein. Much cheaper than other places. You get four, and an adapter to fit a disconnect. I'll have to report back once I get my co2 filled.