force carbonate while drinking from another keg???

[shoebag22]

How do you guys do it? Force carbonating takes a few days, so does that mean that during that time you are not drinking from the other keg that is attached to your co2 tank? By the looks of most of your setups, you have dual regulators and cannot control the individual pressure of your kegs.

 

[Fingers]

Well, unless you've got a mainline into your arm, you're probably taking long breaks between drinking sessions. When you're not drinking, you can leave your CO2 connected to the uncarbed keg.

The keg that is already carbed does not need a continuous feed of CO2 either. I just give it a shot now and again to keep it flowing while the tank remains constantly on the uncarbed keg.

 

[EdWort]

If your system is balanced, you can carb at 12 psi and dispense at it as well.

 

[shoebag22]

Well, unless you've got a mainline into your arm, you're probably taking long breaks between drinking sessions. When you're not drinking, you can leave your CO2 connected to the uncarbed keg.

The keg that is already carbed does not need a continuous feed of CO2 either. I just give it a shot now and again to keep it flowing while the tank remains constantly on the uncarbed keg.

so you are saying that I can unhook the carbed keg from the co2 tank and still be able to dispense and enjoy?

 

[Fingers]

so you are saying that I can unhook the carbed keg from the co2 tank and still be able to dispense and enjoy?

That is correct.

 

[shoebag22]

If your system is balanced, you can carb at 12 psi and dispense at it as well.

how long would carbing take at that psi? can I still set and forget or would molesting the keg every so gently be necessary?

 

[McSwiggin']

If your system is balanced, you can carb at 12 psi and dispense at it as well.

+1 on this. Be sure you have your beer line length/diameter ratio correct for the height of your tap and you should have no problems.

The formula for calculating the line length is:

L = P - (H * .5) - 1
-----------------
R

where


L = length of beer line in feet
P = pressure set on regulator gauge
H = Total height from the center of the keg to faucet in feet
R = Resistance of line from the following Resistance Table
1 = this is the residual pressure remaining at the faucet

 

[McSwiggin']

I guess I should add, If you have 3/16 beer line, your average resistance would be 2.7. I don't remember what the resistance on 1/4" is, but I'm sure it's on wiki if you need it.

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

Your other option too is to have inline regulators as pictured below. Send one pressure from the tank, then use the inline to set the pressures to the kegs.

 

[shoebag22]

Your other option too is to have inline regulators as pictured below. Send one pressure from the tank, then use the inline to set the pressures to the kegs.

that looks great... happen to have a link to grab parts for that?

 

[Bobby_M]

Just put a simple TEE on your gas line so you can keep two kegs connected at the same time. I'm having a hard time understanding the problem.

 

[shoebag22]

the problem isn't having two kegs connected at the same time, it's having the kegs at different psi...

I am new at this and want to make sure i get the proper connections and regulator(s) before dishing out my dough...

 

[BierMuncher]

What Fingers said.

Residual pressure in your gassed keg will push the beer for a while.

It'll be easier if you have a manifold an can simply close gas to certain kegs instead of disconnecting and reconnecting.

 

[conpewter]

Carbonating and serving does not need to be separate pressures. Put a T on your gas line, hook it up to both kegs at 12 psi. Have 8-10' of beer line for the keg you are serving out of. Leave the other keg at 12 psi for a week and it will be carbed, start serving from that one as well.

 

[BierMuncher]

Carbonating and serving does not need to be separate pressures. Put a T on your gas line, hook it up to both kegs at 12 psi. Have 8-10' of beer line for the keg you are serving out of. Leave the other keg at 12 psi for a week and it will be carbed, start serving from that one as well.

Unless he's in a hurry to carbonate (like I always am)

 

[shoebag22]

Thanks for the help guys.. I thought I knew what I was going to do but now I have no idea =)

 

[EdWort]

how long would carbing take at that psi? can I still set and forget or would molesting the keg every so gently be necessary?

I set mine and forget it for a week. By then it will be very nicely carbonated, but not necessarly ready to drink. I carb my kegs in the garage in my 20 cu. ft. chest freezer.

From the check valve on the regulator, the hose goes to a stainless T and from there to two stainless crosses for six gas connections. Works like a charm for me.

 

[homebrewer_99]

I really like that regulator setup...where'd you get that? That would come in very handy for priming lagers and weizens (which require more carbonation).

Right now I'm running 2 tanks with splitters to prime 4 kegs.

I purchased a manifold that'll run 4 kegs, but it'll have to wait until I put a collar on the keezer.

And I have another tank/regulator on its way (in the mail).

 

[skydog4884]

cant you put the co2 to the keg that needs carbonating and once it has the proper amount of pressure just take off the co2 and put it on the keg you are trying to dispense? The co2 wont release out of the keg and its not like in the week you are forgetting it if left hooked up it will not put any more co2 then desired