Carbing seltzer

[Cider123]

With the help of some fine folks here I got my seltzer tap going.

Good thing I did some reading because I was planning on running my seltzer through my chrome plated Perlicks. I didn't realize that the chrome had been wearing off over the years and I would had been leaching brass in my seltzer.

So I bought some new Perlick 650 SS taps and now have all SS through the keg, shank and tap. I carbed at 30 psi and after 3 days had excellent seltzer at the fizz level we like.

My question is do I need to leave the tank pressure set at 30 psi in order to maintain that carb level? or can I back it down to the usual 10 psi serving pressure without affecting the carbonation?

The 650SS tap is adjustable, but when I set it to a reasonable pour level there is still so much pressure behind the tap that it "pops" when you start pouring.

Thanks

 

[Yooper]

Yes, to keep the carb level the same it needs to be at the same pressure. For highly carbed things, I need more serving line. I use about 25' for soda, or about 1' for every 1 psi on the regulator (assuming it's cold, fridge temps). I had my soda at 25 psi, but it could have been higher. I got a semi-rigid beverage line from McMaster-Carr that curled up nicely around the top of the keg.

 

[Cider123]

Thanks Yooper.

Can I ask, what is the benefit of the extra long serving line?

 

[Yooper]

Thanks Yooper.

Can I ask, what is the benefit of the extra long serving line?

Being able to serve it!


It needs some restriction to avoid shooting out like a firehose when under pressure (which it should be- it should NEVER be reduced to pour).

 

[KartRacer54]

I run mine at 25 to 30 with 10' line and a picnic tap. Works we'll, we drink a bunch of it and certainly hits the spot with my VO

 

[Cider123]

Thanks again. I'll leave it at 30 psi.

This works great! I wish I could make beer this easy.

Just ordered a 20 gallon Co2 tank.

 

[Cider123]

Another question,

Do you tend to use CO2 much faster when you leave it at 30 psi vs the usual 8-10 psi for beer serving pressure?

I understand the setting is higher and thus more CO2 is used. What I mean is over the course of one week I have watched my regulator tank gauge drop 20 psi (5 gallon tank) and I'm only pouring 3-4 glasses of soda per day.

 

[KartRacer54]

No I don't think so. Once the keg is carbed, there should not be a big continuous usage. I would check for leaks. You also just may have been at that point where the pressures started to drop.