Carbonating Spirit / Cocktail kegs with Diffusion Stone

[IanMuller]

Hi Guys,

I am genuinely hoping someone can help me as I seriously losing my hair and I don't have much left to spare!

I have had Kegerators for the last 8 years or so. I can't drink beer, so most they have been filled with CC & Dry, Scotch & Coke, Gin & Tonic etc.
The gas sits around 15-20 psi and it's always worked great.

I recently purchased an imitation Scotch & Coke kit from Kegland:
https://kegland.com.au/products/mal...PC74EXssBV9EWrnNxzqpcNl001wTMAE7HsfOt_7qC5liZ

I followed the directions and it mixed fine, but after a couple of weeks on the gas, no carbonation.
I gave the force carb rocking on your knees method a go, also no results.
Please note, it is a new CO2 bottle full with gas.

Then I heard about the diffusion stone corny keg lids, and figured I'd give it a go:
https://kegland.com.au/products/car...n-diffusion-stone?_pos=2&_sid=7ef91fd8e&_ss=r

I tried the 'gentlest' method I find online. Hooking it up, starting a low psi, and then gradually increasing to get to 20 psi and leaving for 24 hours.
Unfortunately - no results again.

So I hooked it back up again and tried a more forceful method of dialing it up to 30 psi and leaving for 12 hours.
Some bubbles - but nothing worth noting. Basically, it's still flat.
It shoots out of the keg (I release the pressure beforehand) and there is plenty of foam, but nothing that hangs around.


Right now, I am at a loss.
I have checked there are no leaks.
The keg has worked fine before and I can definitely hear gas going in.
I have cleared the head space multiple times to make sure all oxygen is out.
The only thing I will note, is that the scotch & coke is not cold - I know a lot of guides say the lower temp will help with the carbonation, but I figured given the time I am leaving it for it shouldn't be an issue.
My issue is my fridge isn't big enough to have the keg AND the extra gas bottle in at the same time.

Any help anyone can offer would be much appreciated.
Thanks guys!!

 

[doug293cz]

If you are getting lots of foam, that means you are losing the carbonation during the pour. Your flow during the pour is too fast and the extra agitation causes the CO2 to come out of the liquid and form foam. If your liquid is not chilled, this makes the effect even worse.

You probably need longer and/or lower inside diameter beverage line in order to create more back pressure and slow the flow rate during pours. For typical 3/16" ID beverage line, you need about 13 feet of tubing for 15 psi, and 17 - 18 feet for 20 psi. (Calculator) If you want shorter lines, then you should look at getting 3mm or 4mm ID EVA Barrier beverage line.

Brew on

 

[IanMuller]

If you are getting lots of foam, that means you are losing the carbonation during the pour. Your flow during the pour is too fast and the extra agitation causes the CO2 to come out of the liquid and form foam. If your liquid is not chilled, this makes the effect even worse.

You probably need longer and/or lower inside diameter beverage line in order to create more back pressure and slow the flow rate during pours. For typical 3/16" ID beverage line, you need about 13 feet of tubing for 15 psi, and 17 - 18 feet for 20 psi. (Calculator) If you want shorter lines, then you should look at getting 3mm or 4mm ID EVA Barrier beverage line.

Brew on

Thanks for this Doug.
I was pouring it off using a very short hose connected to a pluto gun just for convenience.
If I used the regular longer lines and the keg was chilled, do you think this would solve the problem??

 

[doug293cz]

It should help a lot. There might be other issues contributing, but you need to deal with the line insufficiency first.

Brew on

 

[OleBrewing]

The only thing I will note, is that the scotch & coke is not cold - I know a lot of guides say the lower temp will help with the carbonation, but I figured given the time I am leaving it for it shouldn't be an issue.

probably the problem.