For the love of FOAM

[ArtsAles]

I've read so many threads on "to much foam" my eyes are bleeding. Here is my situation perhaps someone can add some insight.

Beer temp ~42 degrees
Beer Line (Iv'e tried 6 foot : 10 foot : 15 foot)
I have the McMaster "savior to short hose deal" (in fact I've got 2 in my keg currently)
I've tried pressures from 8psi - 10psi - 12psi - 14psi (bleeding each time)
I've tried a different keg
I've tried different disconnects (both in/out)
I've lubed (mhmm)
I've replaced all the o-rings
I've tried to let the beer go flatTER (release pressure, wait hour release pressure, wait hour release pressure etc).

I have foam.. with 2 mcmaster plugs in the keg I glug at everything 10psi and under 12-14psi I pour foam and nothing but.

Each time I pour I notice air in the lines (likes its never solid beer in there) my assumption is because of all the foam in the lines as well.

any thoughts on what else I could try at this point I'd really like to just drink some of my beer.. yes that would be nice.

 

[KillerKellers]

Im not sure I can offer a whole lot.. there are some here who are much better at this then I am, but let me as a couple more questions:

What is the ID of the hose you are using?
What kind of tap are you pouring from?
After bleeding off the pressure all night, if you put it at 12psi today and pour a glass, how is it?

 

[ArtsAles]

Im using 1/4 inch lines
Im currently using little picnic taps
After bleeding todays pour starts at about 1/3 cup beer 2/3 foam.

Still not quite right.

-Art

 

[keithsipa]

Did you force carbonate / over carbonate?
If you turned the pressure way down to a couple of psi and you still pour foam, then it has to be over carbonation (in my opinion). It could take a few days of de-pressurizing to release the carbon, it may never properly release (as some people will say, altough I dont believe that)
Here are your calculations based on some numbers you gave:
Assuming 2.1 to 2.2 volumes of CO2, a temp of 43 deg, psi of 10, with 1/4" line
Pressure - (Height * .5) - 1 = Length
Resistance

10 - (0 * .5) - 1 = 12.8 '
.7

This does not take into account the mixers. I am betting on the overcarbonation.

 

[Synovia]

Im currently using little picnic taps
-Art

Are you pushing the picnic taps totally open?

If you push down on them halfway, they basically spray beer, and theres no way you'll get anything but foam. You really have to open em up all the way.

 

[camiller]

What kind of kegerator?
Any kinks in the lines or tight turns?
Height of the faucet above the center of the keg?

 

[wildwest450]

Are you sure you have 1/4" lines? 3/16" are standard unless you have a super long run. Also the "air bubbles" is likely co2 breaking out of suspension, which can cause foaming.

Do you have a tower? If so is it cooled?

 

[thedigitale]

Sounds like overcarbonation. You can try bleeding for a day or so with the keg out of the cold. As it warms, gas will come out of solution and you'll be able to bleed out more gas. When you cool it back down it may be closer to the right carbonation.

 

[lmg95]

how about what brand of tubing also... If it is cheapy Home Depot brand there maybe defects on the inside of the tubing causing the foam

 

[Bobby_M]

1/4" ID is the problem. You'd need something like 25'. Get yourself some 3/16" thickwall tubing even with the mixing inserts.

 

[ArtsAles]

Yep was definitely the line size.. just tried 3/16 that fixed the whole problem.. thanks so much for the help gents.. BEER ON!

 

[Pangea]

1/4" ID is the problem. You'd need something like 25'. Get yourself some 3/16" thickwall tubing even with the mixing inserts.

+1

Also, I find that my tower on the kegerator gets warm (in the garage in south louisiana) - thus the first pour through the tower/tap goes from 42* to ??60* ish and lets out a bunch of CO2 and foams. I dump the first pour and the next pour should be colder into the glass, and the CO2 stays in solution better, thus no foam.

Is your beer line getting too warm before you pour?

 

[ArtsAles]

no because I've done away with my tower temporarily (in attempt to isolate this problem to the tap itself, so I 've been using picnic taps) "leaving them in the fridge of course" I have ~2-3 inches of head my first pour which is tolerable. Additional pours yield good 1inch head results..

Thanks again for all the help.