Floating dip tube

[garvinator70]

Is anyone else having trouble with alot of foam using floating dip tube?

 

[mscroggi]

Hmm I haven't seen that.. The tube end should be below the float... Maybe yours is not dropping down far enough? Your tube has a weight or a filter on the tip?

 

[Wagon_6]

Just started using clear beer versions and haven’t noticed anything different.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

Is anyone else having trouble with alot of foam using floating dip tube?

What brand/model are you using? Some people report similar issues when the intake is floating near the top of the beer line. That means it is pulling in both beer and CO2. A common solution is to at a little weight to the tubing (like a stainless nut or washer) that will help to keep it submerged.

 

[Bobby_M]

This is typically due to the tubing getting hung up on the side of the keg and not allowing the open end to stay submerged. Solutions range from adding a heavy stainless washer to the split ring to weigh it down a bit to installing a weldless thermowell in the lid so that the split ring rides down the center of the keg away from the wall. Another one I thought of is to vacuum seal a small rare earth magnet inside a plastic pouch and attach that to the split ring. Then on the outside of the keg, apply a mating magnet and you can then nudge it downward an inch or so whenever that "gas sucking" foam happens. This last one is a little frustrating because you have to keep moving the magnet down the whole way to empty. I've used this method on clear fermenters but I don't need to keep the outside magnet in place since I can see in.

 

[garvinator70]

What brand/model are you using? Some people report similar issues when the intake is floating near the top of the beer line. That means it is pulling in both beer and CO2. A common solution is to at a little weight to the tubing (like a stainless nut or washer) that will help to keep it submerged.

not sure purchased on Amazon it is working good now probally overcarbed a little

 

[govner1]

I’ve been using the Clear Beer system in 10 of my kegs for a number of years without any issues.

 

[garvinator70]

What brand/model are you using? Some people report similar issues when the intake is floating near the top of the beer line. That means it is pulling in both beer and CO2. A common solution is to at a little weight to the tubing (like a stainless nut or washer) that will help to keep it submerged.

Amazon.com: FERRODAY 304SS Floating Ball Dip Tube Beer Keg Fermenter Ball Float Dip Tube Corny Keg Silicone Dip Tube Beer Stainless Steel Ball Floating Home Brew Beer Floating Ball Keg Liquid Dip Tube Float Ball : Home & Kitchen

Amazon.com: FERRODAY 304SS Floating Ball Dip Tube Beer Keg Fermenter Ball Float Dip Tube Corny Keg Silicone Dip Tube Beer Stainless Steel Ball Floating Home Brew Beer Floating Ball Keg Liquid Dip Tube Float Ball : Home & Kitchen

a.co

 

[jcav]

The "Clear Beer" system floating dip tubes which are excellent (I have 8 of them) do not have this problem as the float/assembly is heavy. The other type of floating dip tubes (which I have 2 of) do sometimes do this, as the end is much lighter. For these type of dip tubes a weight as suggested above will solve this problem.

John

 

[ArizonaGoalie]

I use the lighter floating dip tubes I get from my brew shop, never heard of the Clear Beer version, just ordered it. Thanks!

 

[govner1]

Even if it has a higher price, the original Clear Beer Draught System is worth it. No need to tinker or jury rig it to get consistent results.

 

[DuncB]

Then on the outside of the keg, apply a mating magnet and you can then nudge it downward an inch or so whenever that "gas sucking" foam happens.

I've used this method on clear fermenters but I don't need to keep the outside magnet in place since I can see in.

Bobby I've used this method on clear fermenter as well. The rare earth attraction to the SS ring is enough.
Paradoxically I use it during closed transfers near the end to keep the inlet away from any trub in the bottom.

 

[Callacave]

I have a few FLotit 2.0's and they're awesome. Ferment and serve in the same keg.

 

[odie]

this... and forget the nut on the pickup tube. not needed. just a SS nut on the hose

 

[Malticulous]

I've added the FLotit 2.0's filters to my ball floats and they work great. NO BEER LEFT BEHIND!

And no yeasty glasses. Drop hops right in, no problem. I wish they were easy put together,

 

[MikeCo]

I also use the type of floating dip tube in odie's picture and had problems out of the box. The problem I had was exactly as Bobby desicribed. After adding some weight to keep the end submerged, I've had no problems.

 

[Draft Master Flash]

I just got a couple of Flotit 2.0s. The thing is if you try to do a closed transfer you can't go through the liquid out post because with the Flotit 2.0 filter it will just clog. There are ways to get around this like going through the "in" post and opening up the PRV but I like a return line back to the fermenter stopper coming from the "in" post. I wish I would of taken this into consideration before going this route. I'm just going to fill through the lid of the corny and just purge well and hopefully will be okay..

DMF

 

[Malticulous]

I have a Flotit 2.0 filter in my allrounder. Ive never cloged the Flotit 2.0 filter in the serving keg transfering.

 

[Callacave]

I just got a couple of Flotit 2.0s. The thing is if you try to do a closed transfer you can't go through the liquid out post because with the Flotit 2.0 filter it will just clog. There are ways to get around this like going through the "in" post and opening up the PRV but I like a return line back to the fermenter stopper coming from the "in" post. I wish I would of taken this into consideration before going this route. I'm just going to fill through the lid of the corny and just purge well and hopefully will be okay..

DMF

I'm confused on this. Are you trying to push beer through a line that has a Flotit connected to it on the outlet? If so, of course it would clog. This is the incorrect way of using it if I'm understanding this correctly.

The double screen is there to filter hops and trub from going into the tubing. Not the other way around.

Never had an issue with my Flotit, and I've dry hopped a ton, and served from the fermenter with no clogs.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

The double screen is there to filter hops and trub from going into the tubing. Not the other way around.

I have the same potential issue or question as @Draft Master Flash. I usually do a closed transfer into my keg through the liquid post. With a standard dip tube, the beer transfers into the bottom of the keg. With the Flotit (I have the first version) there is potential for any material to clog the filter from the inside. So far, I have only used my Flotit when I have tried to ferment in a keg once or twice. I do have an inline filter with a coarse filter (VacMotion branded) that I use during transfer. For me, that should reduce the chance of a clog.

I also have a float like the one picture above, without a filter. It came with a transfer set, but I have not used that one yet.

 

[SanPancho]

Another issue is that the basic/cheap versions often come with tubing that is too stiff. It doesn’t bend around as easily in the relatively narrow keg and can also cause the float to stick in place. annoying. Bought softer tubing off ebay and stainless washers. No issues at all once the changes made.

 

[mscroggi]

I'm confused on this. Are you trying to push beer through a line that has a Flotit connected to it on the outlet? If so, of course it would clog. This is the incorrect way of using it if I'm understanding this correctly.

The double screen is there to filter hops and trub from going into the tubing. Not the other way around.

Never had an issue with my Flotit, and I've dry hopped a ton, and served from the fermenter with no clogs.

OOOhh I was confused too.. The Floatit is on the liquid post in the serving keg. I always think of a floating dip tube as a feature of a fermenter to leave the trub behind.

I guess the solution in this case is to use a lid on the corny that has a liquid post where the Floatit can be attached, and leave the existing rigid dip tube in place.

 

[Yesfan]

Makes sense that the Flotit would get clogged from the inside if you're doing a closed transfer from fermenter to keg (that has the floating diptube). Two simple solutions would be....

1) Serve out of the keg you fermented in. This way no transfers are needed and no clogged floating dip tube. You'd be pulling clear beer from the getgo.
2) Transfer from fermenter/keg w/ floating diptube to a keg with the beer out long diptube in it. Then you should be transferring clear beer from the getgo.

Another option would be to add a 3rd post to your keg's lid that would be your dedicated beer out only line. This would have your floating dip tube attached to it. Then you could transfer through the standard beer out post (with the long stainless diptube)of the serving keg. I like #1 best because less steps and less things to break apart and clean when the keg kicks.

 

[KegLand]

We do not get the Floatit in Australia but have any of you guys compared it to our product here:

FermZilla - SS Ball Float & 100cm Silicone Dip Tube and Filter Kit

This simple design allows you to extract the clearest possible liquid in your pressure vessel with the added security of our new filter included. This helps prevent blockages in your carbonation cap poppet. As the liquid level decreases the float goes down at the same time. Perfect for sampling...

www.kegland.com.au

It looks like the Floatit is significantly more expensive and I am wondering if it's worth the additional cost.

 

[mscroggi]

We do not get the Floatit in Australia but have any of you guys compared it to our product here:

FermZilla - SS Ball Float & 100cm Silicone Dip Tube and Filter Kit

This simple design allows you to extract the clearest possible liquid in your pressure vessel with the added security of our new filter included. This helps prevent blockages in your carbonation cap poppet. As the liquid level decreases the float goes down at the same time. Perfect for sampling...

www.kegland.com.au

It looks like the Floatit is significantly more expensive and I am wondering if it's worth the additional cost.

I have one like you posted. It works just fine. No complaiints. I can't see an advantage of the Floatit to justify it.. Maybe others can comment on that.
My initial observance of the Floatit is that the Floatit tube isn't positioned below the float, but on the same axis. This would be fine when there is enough beer to make it float vertically.. but towards the end.. it seems like the tube would begin sucking air as the float and tube rotate.

 

[Yesfan]

We do not get the Floatit in Australia but have any of you guys compared it to our product here:

FermZilla - SS Ball Float & 100cm Silicone Dip Tube and Filter Kit

This simple design allows you to extract the clearest possible liquid in your pressure vessel with the added security of our new filter included. This helps prevent blockages in your carbonation cap poppet. As the liquid level decreases the float goes down at the same time. Perfect for sampling...

www.kegland.com.au

It looks like the Floatit is significantly more expensive and I am wondering if it's worth the additional cost.

I have The Flotit and the inlet of the filter is purposefully off center so it stays submerged. It has two types of stainless micron filters too (300 and 500 micron?). It is more expensive that yours but one thing I like over it vs the Kegland/Torpedo floating diptubes is it's easier to install. You can install the silicone tubing over the short diptube, and slide the whole thing through the post, then pull the other end up to connect the filter. That might be worth it for those who like to do a deeper cleaning of their kegs.

I have the Torpedo floating dip tube for one of my kegs and the end filter for it and my All Rounder. I don't know if you make the Torpedo floating diptubes and/or the add on filters, but they look to have a single filter on them instead of the double filter the Flotit has.

 

[garvinator70]

this... and forget the nut on the pickup tube. not needed. just a SS nut on the hose
View attachment 810969

Thanks i believe that will get it cheers

 

[yowzers]

The Clear Beer units are the Cadillac, but they cost quite a bit. If you want a cheaper model that works great, go with https://ballandkeg.com/products/balls-up-floating-dip-tube
I've used theirs for years and not ever had to add weight like the other cheap units. Theirs have a heavier piece of stainless steel tubing in the end that keeps it submerged all the time.

 

[Callacave]

The Clear Beer units are the Cadillac, but they cost quite a bit. If you want a cheaper model that works great, go with https://ballandkeg.com/products/balls-up-floating-dip-tube
I've used theirs for years and not ever had to add weight like the other cheap units. Theirs have a heavier piece of stainless steel tubing in the end that keeps it submerged all the time.

Not trying to start an argument, but I have both the clear beer with the filter screen and the Flotit. The Flotit wins for me regarding transfer from fermenter to keg, or fermenting and serving from the keg. Especially with hoppy ales. I’ve had a few clogs with the clear beer, but the Flotit just keeps going. It’s a wonderful, simple design.

My only gripe would be the gaskets on the outside of the Flotit can be difficult to put on at times, but once they’re on you shouldn’t have any issues.

 

[garvinator70]

Not trying to start an argument, but I have both the clear beer with the filter screen and the Flotit. The Flotit wins for me regarding transfer from fermenter to keg, or fermenting and serving from the keg. Especially with hoppy ales. I’ve had a few clogs with the clear beer, but the Flotit just keeps going. It’s a wonderful, simple design.

My only gripe would be the gaskets on the outside of the Flotit can be difficult to put on at times, but once they’re on you shouldn’t have any issues.

that one does look good

 

[Yesfan]

Not trying to start an argument, but I have both the clear beer with the filter screen and the Flotit. The Flotit wins for me regarding transfer from fermenter to keg, or fermenting and serving from the keg. Especially with hoppy ales. I’ve had a few clogs with the clear beer, but the Flotit just keeps going. It’s a wonderful, simple design.

My only gripe would be the gaskets on the outside of the Flotit can be difficult to put on at times, but once they’re on you shouldn’t have any issues.

I have the Flotit on my big keg and agree about the filter gaskets. I have the Torpedo Buoy on two of my 5 gallon kegs. They also have the single stage filter that I also added to my All Rounder (the plastic barrel looking one with 3 adjustments on it). Are the Torpedo Buoys the same as the Clear Beer?