Clogged dip tube ?
- Thread starter jdonley
- Start date
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Yes, the dip tube may be clogged, or maybe the ball lock, or the ball lock connector. It could also be that you're out of CO2, or the CO2 valve was accidentally turned off and there's no pressure in your keg. I'd check the CO2 possibilities first.
What type of beer is in the keg, and what's your process? The only time I've had tubes or connectors plug is when an unfiltered beer was heavily hopped in the kettle - like an IPA, or was "dry hopped" with either hops or other additives like spices or oak chips.
But once you're sure it's not a CO2 problem, here's what I'd do. First pull the ball lock disconnect and inspect it. Unscrew the top and look for debris. Inspect the top of the ball lock valve itself for hints of plugging debris there, too. Next, spray everything around the ball lock valve and dip tube with sanitizer. Vent the keg and pull the ball lock valve, inspecting for debris. Most of the time I've had problems, it's the ball lock disconnect or valve that's plugged, not the tube itself. If that's your case, pull the ball lock valve apart and clean it. Sanitize it before reassembling. Re-pressurize the keg and test. If that doesn't solve the problem, then you'll need to repeat the process and pull the tube, clear it and reassemble - be sure to sanitize well.
The larger problem is how to prevent it from reoccurring. If you have debris in the bottom of the keg, it's likely you'll have to do this process a few more times. I keep a spare dip tube on hand that I shortened about 1 1/2". I stick that in whenever I have a similar problem - it keeps the end of the tube up and out of the debris at the bottom. I also have a couple of screens that slip over the end of the dip tube that I'll sometimes use as a preventative, but they are kind of a PITA to use. I try and prevent the problem by using a hop bag for dry hopping and other additions (oak, spice, etc.). I tie the bag closed, and then hang it inside the keg off of the short "in" dip tube. I slide the hop bag string over the tube (making a small loop in the string the same size as the dip tube) and use an extra dip tube o-ring to keep it from sliding back off the tube. The bag full of hops (or whatever) is then suspended in the top of the beer an not near the out tube pick up area.
Hopefully this is a one time occurrence.
Best of luck!
What type of beer is in the keg, and what's your process? The only time I've had tubes or connectors plug is when an unfiltered beer was heavily hopped in the kettle - like an IPA, or was "dry hopped" with either hops or other additives like spices or oak chips.
But once you're sure it's not a CO2 problem, here's what I'd do. First pull the ball lock disconnect and inspect it. Unscrew the top and look for debris. Inspect the top of the ball lock valve itself for hints of plugging debris there, too. Next, spray everything around the ball lock valve and dip tube with sanitizer. Vent the keg and pull the ball lock valve, inspecting for debris. Most of the time I've had problems, it's the ball lock disconnect or valve that's plugged, not the tube itself. If that's your case, pull the ball lock valve apart and clean it. Sanitize it before reassembling. Re-pressurize the keg and test. If that doesn't solve the problem, then you'll need to repeat the process and pull the tube, clear it and reassemble - be sure to sanitize well.
The larger problem is how to prevent it from reoccurring. If you have debris in the bottom of the keg, it's likely you'll have to do this process a few more times. I keep a spare dip tube on hand that I shortened about 1 1/2". I stick that in whenever I have a similar problem - it keeps the end of the tube up and out of the debris at the bottom. I also have a couple of screens that slip over the end of the dip tube that I'll sometimes use as a preventative, but they are kind of a PITA to use. I try and prevent the problem by using a hop bag for dry hopping and other additions (oak, spice, etc.). I tie the bag closed, and then hang it inside the keg off of the short "in" dip tube. I slide the hop bag string over the tube (making a small loop in the string the same size as the dip tube) and use an extra dip tube o-ring to keep it from sliding back off the tube. The bag full of hops (or whatever) is then suspended in the top of the beer an not near the out tube pick up area.
Hopefully this is a one time occurrence.
Best of luck!
