Floating Dip Tube Dispensing Issue

[Yesfan]

I have a keg that's spitting gas out with the beer when dispensing. If I had to guess, this is the result of me dry hopping commando style as I had no extra hop bags. Maybe the dip tube's filter end is riding above the dry hop layer and pulling part co2/beer? I can get a decent pour if I use a picnic tap, but have to do a super slow pour to reduce the amount of foam.

Is there a way to fix this without opening the keg? I had this happen one other time, and I had to resort to swapping out the floating dip tube for the stainless one. Needless to say, the beer was oxidizing pretty heavy toward the last couple of pints. Had this been a 5 gallon batch, I'd had to toss half of it. If there is no way without opening the keg, I don't mind going with the slow pours until it kicks. It's only 2.5 gallons anyways.

I think after the keg kicks, I'm going to use some stainless nuts to keep the dip tube end weighted down into the beer. A stir bar inside the filter is another option I've thought about so I can use a magnet on the outside to pull the dip tube into the beer if it happened again. All my stir bars are thin though, so I worry about plugging the line closed. I may stay play around with that idea.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks gang.

 

[Bobby_M]

That's exactly how I deal with it, a pretty large SS washer added to the split ring to help drag it down. Sometimes I think it's the somewhat sticky tubing getting hung up on the side of the keg. Giving the keg a short shake/shudder at the top might help dislodge whatever is hanging it up. This is another reason I do my floating diptubes via a dedicated port on the lid so I can retain the solid tube.

 

[Frank Nobrega]

I have a keg that's spitting gas out with the beer when dispensing. If I had to guess, this is the result of me dry hopping commando style as I had no extra hop bags. Maybe the dip tube's filter end is riding above the dry hop layer and pulling part co2/beer? I can get a decent pour if I use a picnic tap, but have to do a super slow pour to reduce the amount of foam.

Is there a way to fix this without opening the keg? I had this happen one other time, and I had to resort to swapping out the floating dip tube for the stainless one. Needless to say, the beer was oxidizing pretty heavy toward the last couple of pints. Had this been a 5 gallon batch, I'd had to toss half of it. If there is no way without opening the keg, I don't mind going with the slow pours until it kicks. It's only 2.5 gallons anyways.

I think after the keg kicks, I'm going to use some stainless nuts to keep the dip tube end weighted down into the beer. A stir bar inside the filter is another option I've thought about so I can use a magnet on the outside to pull the dip tube into the beer if it happened again. All my stir bars are thin though, so I worry about plugging the line closed. I may stay play around with that idea.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks gang.

Did you cut the tubing to the proper length? It should be just long enough to reach the bottom of the keg. The tubing that comes with the floating dip tube kits is usually too long and will get hung up inside the keg.

 

[hottpeper13]

To solve this issue in my Fermzilla I put a SS nut for a weldless bulkhead fitting and it was perfect. Helped it slide down the side wall.

 

[Yesfan]

Did you cut the tubing to the proper length? It should be just long enough to reach the bottom of the keg. The tubing that comes with the floating dip tube kits is usually too long and will get hung up inside the keg.

Yes sir. Sure did. I think the Torpedo Buoys don't have enough weight to hold the dip tube down far enough into the beer. I have a FlotIt version on my big fermenter and don't remember having this issue.

To solve this issue in my Fermzilla I put a SS nut for a weldless bulkhead fitting and it was perfect. Helped it slide down the side wall.

That's exactly how I deal with it, a pretty large SS washer added to the split ring to help drag it down. Sometimes I think it's the somewhat sticky tubing getting hung up on the side of the keg. Giving the keg a short shake/shudder at the top might help dislodge whatever is hanging it up. This is another reason I do my floating diptubes via a dedicated port on the lid so I can retain the solid tube.

What size stainless nut did you guys use? Did you use a single large one or did you go for smaller ones to "fine tune" the desired weight on the dip tube? Bobby, I may have to splurge on one (two?) of those lids. Until then, guess I just have to make due with the slow pours.

 

[micraftbeer]

I ran into issues with the floating ball dip tube. I got tired of trying to get the right weight on there. The Flotits definitely have an advantage with the offset float, the dip tube sits reliably under the liquid.

That said, the Kegland version with the wire mesh held together with a plastic frame also work well for me. Must be the same weight as the stainless washers!

 

[DasBrut]

The floating dip tubes are notorious for this. I put two 3/8” stainless steel hex nuts over the tube and it worked great. But I actually don’t use it anymore because it leaves behind 3 full pints (of maybe not so clear beer, but I’m not picky)

 

[hottpeper13]

I use the 1" nut and it hugs the ball.

 

[Yesfan]

I didn't think about it, but I looked at some spare parts and found a couple of washers and nuts from an older bulkhead I used to use. This, if it works, saves me from having to hit my local Lowe's/Home Depot. I don't know why I didn't think about this sooner.

Using a kettle with water in it and a spare line with the stainless float and filter attached (Torpedo Buoy), I noticed the water line was at the seam of the stainless float, which is half submerged. I added the 1/2" nut, and it has enough weight to where the float sank to the bottom. The nut weighs 36g, so too heavy. The washer on the other hand almost pulled the float completely under the water line. The float was 2/3rds submerged with the washer attached. The washer weighs 16g. It might not matter, but I used the middle position of the filter to attached the float.

So for those that are in a similar situation, maybe start by adding 15/16g of weight to your floating dip tube and go from there.

 

[mac_1103]

I actually don’t use it anymore because it leaves behind 3 full pints

I just had a keg kick. Cheap ball type floating dip tube with a filter screen and one SS washer. No issues dispensing and no beer left behind (just a little yeast and trub).

 

[JohnDBrewer]

I have 9 kegs on floating dip tubes. All have stainless nuts. Some have the plastic screen some don't. Making sure the dip tube is long enough, especially not too long, is a big help. I still have one keg that gives me issues and when it does a quick shake, actually more of a vibration and it's fixed. I need to mark that keg so when blows, maybe see if I can figure it out.