First Keg

[pascott6]

I just keged my first batch. It was 48 degrees so i put 20psi on it.
I didconnected the bottle & put it in the kegerator.

Is that the correct way & will it work?

Should i leave the bottle on it or just check it tomorrow?

 

[stratslinger]

Definitely keep it on the gas!

If you've got a good idea of the temperature in your fridge, just set the pressure appropriate to that temp and leave it be for a week or two. The gas must stay on; doing what you just did, the little bit of gas that you pumped in will dissolve into the beer (which is what you want!) but that won't be nearly enough to perceptibly carbonate your beer. Constant pressure is what you're looking for.

 

[pascott6]

Up date been in kegreator since sunday @ 12psi @ 38 deg. Should i just leave it alone?

 

[Yooper]

Up date been in kegreator since sunday @ 12psi @ 38 deg. Should i just leave it alone?

Yes.

 

[pascott6]

Now its been 12 days. I tasted last night it wasn't that good. I hope ididn't do something wrong. it tasted flat

 

[Changeduser123]

Now its been 12 days. I tasted last night it wasn't that good. I hope ididn't do something wrong. it tasted flat

Do you have a lot of foam ? how long are you beer lines ?

 

[pascott6]

I did have alot of foam. My lines are 5 ft.

 

[Changeduser123]

I did have alot of foam. My lines are 5 ft.

OK so here is what is going on: you do not have enough beer line to balance the 12psi. As a result, the CO2 is going out of solution when you pour the beer. This is why, as a result, your beer taste flat. I would recommend getting longer lines (10ft of 3/16 should do it). I know I had to change the lines that came with my kit as well.
In the meantime, you can lower the pressure to 8psi and purge a little before pouring. But you will have to turn it back up to 12psi otherwise your beer will loose its carbonation.

I really do not know why keg kits suppliers keep selling kits with only 5ft of tubing ....

 

[pascott6]

So my line running to the tap needs to be 10ft. It doesn't matter how long the gas line is?

 

[Changeduser123]

So my line running to the tap needs to be 10ft. It doesn't matter how long the gas line is?

Correct. For more details, you can read the stickies about how to balance a keg system.
Edit: the length is not the only criteria. The inner diameter of the beer line matters as well. All this is explained in the stickies.

 

[pascott6]

The line i have is 1/4 ID will that work ?

 

[Yooper]

The line i have is 1/4 ID will that work ?

No. You need 3/16" line. If you want to use 1/4 ID line, you'll need about 25 feet of it to provide enough resistance.

That really explains your foaming issue- 1/4" line is like a firehose.

 

[pascott6]

I went to Lowes & got 3/16 tube hooked it all up & ity seems to be working good. The first glass was foamy but after that it seems to be good. do you guys think it will be fine. I have the pressure set at 14 psi.

 

[day_trippr]

I went to Lowes & got 3/16 tube hooked it all up & ity seems to be working good. The first glass was foamy but after that it seems to be good. do you guys think it will be fine. I have the pressure set at 14 psi.

Could be, but how long is your beer line? And what is your serving temperature?

Cheers!

 

[pascott6]

14 ft @ 38-40

 

[day_trippr]

14 ft @ 38-40

You should be in fine shape with that! Enjoy!

Cheers!

 

[pascott6]

Not to sound stupid but this is my first time doing this. I have my pressure set at 18psi & it has been over 2 weeks. Should i be leaving it on 18 & if i do will it over carb? It doesn't seem to pour fast but like i said this is all new to me. It is a Belgian Wheat beer by the way.

Thanks for your help so far

 

[Mpavlik22]

Not to sound stupid but this is my first time doing this. I have my pressure set at 18psi & it has been over 2 weeks. Should i be leaving it on 18 & if i do will it over carb? It doesn't seem to pour fast but like i said this is all new to me. It is a Belgian Wheat beer by the way.

Thanks for your help so far

It depends on the temp stored at. Assuming your using the set it & forget method.
Check this out: http://www.kegerators.com/carbonation-table.php