Got the kegerator, the keg and

[1911A1]

Lots of foam and flat beer... This is just a 1/4 keg of Budweiser. The kegerator book says 10 to 12 PSI. Other articles say 12 to 14.

No matter what I set the regulator at I get nothing but foam and flat beer.

What could be the problem?

 

[feedbag]

Your first problem is the Budweiser

 

[Yooper]

What's the temperature of the beer?

 

[Kelsch]

How long ago did you last move it? Have you let it settle for a few hours?

 

[TwoHeadsBrewing]

It's the temp of the beer. If it's too high, the CO2 will just come out of solution...which is why you get all the foam. Lower that temp to 35F (lower the better for Bud), and CO2 will stay properly dissolved in the solution.

 

[1911A1]

Thanks guys. I think it may be a combo of the things mentioned here.

I only let it set for about an hour or so before tapping it. The temp, I'm not sure of. I have digital thermometer that gave me a reading of 36 degrees earlier. Obviously the temp rose a bit while I had the door open, but after being closed for a while it still says 46 degrees. So I lowered the temp a bit and will let it set overnight and see how that goes. I'm not sure how accurate that thing is.

I have read quite a few threads here about the beer line being too short. This line is the one that came with kegerator. I'm wondering if this may end causing me problems as well since it does appear to be under 5'.

 

[android]

does it say on the tube what size the ID is of the hose? sometimes a 1/4" ID will cause a lot of foam problems... but if the keg has only been in the fridge for the hour you let it settle, that's probably your main issue. i like to let kegs chill overnight before even trying to pour.

 

[Hang Glider]

...And a warm faucet means the first half a glass is a bit foamier than the subsequent pours.
Also, not sure how much practice you've had - but for me, Full On, Full Off gives a much better result.

 

[1911A1]

Not sure about the tube size. They say it's standard beverage size tubing though.

I do believe the fridge is too warm. I have it set to coldest setting and it still reads above 40.

Kind of odd because the pour spout is cold and has condensation on it and on the inside there's a little ice build up on the back coil.

 

[Arkador]

i'd replace your line with 3/16 ID tubing, and go with about 10 feet of it, since you aren't sure of it's diameter and didn't say how long it is.
at 40degrees 12psi should be fine.

 

[paradoc]

I've also noticed with my kegerator with the picnic style plastic taps that if you only partially depress the tap, you get lots of foam. You want to fully depress the lever and let the beer come out faster.

 

[HoppyDaze]

I've also noticed with my kegerator with the picnic style plastic taps that if you only partially depress the tap, you get lots of foam. You want to fully depress the lever and let the beer come out faster.

this is very true ^^^

 

[1911A1]

This is my first experience with these things, but I started off with a quick full on and quick off.

I believe it's getting cold enough. The last temp reading yesterday was 37, but with it at it's lowest setting I feel it's not working right. It should be colder.

I'm going to take a trip to the LHBS today and see if I can get some longer hose and see if that solves the foaming problem. I've set the regulator everywhere between about 8 and 16 and it still foams just as badly at every setting.