How do you know "how much is left in the keg"?

[jrgtr42]

I run Raspberry Pints "classic" for my tap list using SwissFlow SF800 flow meters. Very accurate, I can count on a keg kicking within a glass either side of empty...

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Cheers!

WIth something like this, how does the system know how much there was to start with? Do you enter, say, "5 gallons" into the program and it counts how much is poured? Sensors in the taps or something? or is there a scale or something attached?

 

[DuncB]

Interestingly on the webpage raspberrypints.com

It doesn't mention starting volume as a field, but it must be a requirement. I'd just like a digital taplist and then wing it on a piece of paper for how much I think was used ( drunk ) .

 

[superiorsat]

I use the force! If that doesn't work I just lift it if I really need to know how much is left for some reason. Like will it hold up and have enough for a party or should I replace it. It doesn't take to terribly long for the sediment to resettle. I will say it kind of makes you nervous pouring the last few pints as it is almost devastating when the keg blows. The wife's keg blew out last night one beer before she was ready to call it a night. I had been razzing her for the last couple days that her keg was like a circus clown car and every beer could be her last. Worse yet is when you have multiple blow outs in a night. Usually after a party this will happen, like blow 3 one night and 2 the next which just happened to me after New Years.

 

[matt_m]

I'll usually get a rough gage by lifting them once in a while. But I know I'm nearing the end when the pours are amazingly clear.

 

[Brewdog80]

does it really matter? I've two kegs in the fridge, one gets about a third to half empty before ai start sampling number 2. When I empty number 1, then number 3, which is ready to go in the fridge fully carbonated goes in. I start over. Brewing another well before the number 2 is empty. Always a spare..... what else would I need to know? Last glass is just the end of that batch and the start if the next.

 

[T Murph]

Lmao I rarely check. I just replace it when it kicks or I simply get tired of it.

 

[BigDave1303]

I've made a few of these. magnetic float/ball bearing indicators, in true Blue Peter style. After putting the magnet in I hot glue the lid on. It's not exact but close enough. The metal bolt is to counter balance the weight of the magnet at the other end of the plastic tube.

 

[Broothru]

I use these on my kegs. They work great, however, you can’t move or disturb the keg once the metal ball is in place or it will fall off. I have to remember to apply the catch magnet if I need to move or jostle the keg for any reason.

"Santa" brought me several of those this year. I haven't had the chance to brew or put any in a keg yet, but it's good to know they work.

 

[day_trippr]

WIth something like this, how does the system know how much there was to start with? Do you enter, say, "5 gallons" into the program and it counts how much is poured? Sensors in the taps or something? or is there a scale or something attached?

As stated there are flow meters between kegs and faucets. Initial keg volume is calculated from weight and entered by the user, everything from there is automagic

Cheers!

 

[Dr_Jeff]

but a faucet for only one.

I have a number of faucets and shanks that need a home.

 

[GrowleyMonster]

I have a number of faucets and shanks that need a home.

Thanks but actually one is enough for me. Only takes a minute to change out the empty keg.

 

[wsmith1625]

Not an original idea, but I read it in another thread years ago and thought it was clever. Put 2 cups on your kegerator, one for full keg and one for an empty keg. Now put 50 pennies in the full keg cup. Every time you pour a beer, take a penny from the full cup and put it in the empty cup.

 

[bwible]

Does pouring warm water down the side work, or is that for CO2 or propane tanks? I forget

 

[Jonakr]

Not an original idea, but I read it in another thread years ago and thought it was clever. Put 2 cups on your kegerator, one for full keg and one for an empty keg. Now put 50 pennies in the full keg cup. Every time you pour a beer, take a penny from the full cup and put it in the empty cup.

This would trip me up after 2 beers I think. "I put a penny in the...uh...oh hell!"

 

[JAReeves]

well, i do it a few ways....sound & science. if you knock a keg with your knuckles the sound is a dead give away for how much is in it....and science, i count every 12oz pour and write it down and can get a good idea by looking at my records.....


i saw someone that keeps their kegs on a digital scale in the fridge that stays on 24/7 though...would be more accurate then my methods....but i just try to make sure i have ANOTHER full keg as back up at all times....

Bracc, I appreciate that you keep track of your pours, but if I did that I might realize I drink too much .

 

[bracconiere]

Bracc, I appreciate that you keep track of your pours, but if I did that I might realize I drink too much .

lol, but then you'd be dealing with trying to gain a couple pounds instead of losing them....i was 176 couple months ago, now i'm down to 172....granted i don't lift and skinny fat...but still i need to get back up to at least 175, trying to finish off a huge plate of brown rice right now....


and yes i weighed the rice.....170g's dry, cooked it's a huge plate! it'[s really not a big deal to count....

(i find i need to use my eyes to balance though!)

 

[agentbud]

but this is the recipe from beer and brewing

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/weldwerks-juicy-bits-clone-neipa.481567/
I brewed the Weldwerks fitbits clone which was very good.

I have a question about this recipe if anyone knows the answer. The recipe calls for a 40 minute whirlpool with hop additions at the 40, 30 and 20 minute marks of that whirlpool. But it didn't say what temp it should be at. Do we start the whirlpool at flameout and just let the temp free-fall during the whirlpool and then cool it down after the 40 min or do we cool as we go (ie immersion chiller) during the whirlpool so that it is at pitch temp after the 40 mins is up? In other words, what temp should we shoot for at each of the 3 whirlpool hop additions?

 

[RCope]

@agentbud When I brewed that "clone" 2 years ago, I cooled to 170 and did the first WP addition, then 160 for the second and 150 for the third. It was a bit tedious, but the beer came out great and very close to the real thing. I didn't want to start the WP over 170...that would add more ibu's than I'd want in that style. I don't recall if I came up with that schedule on my own, or if it was from another's version, but it worked. Cheers! Rick

 

[yowzers]

I don't have one of these, but they seem pretty slick... I usually just pour beers until I'm suprised by the keg blowing.

https://ballandkeg.com/

Have 5 in my kegs and love them. Do remember to replace the indicator bead with the supplied magnet when you move the keg or the bead does fall off but that is about all you have to know to use them. Super simple and effective. Their floating dip tubes are also good and they don’t need weight added like the Torpedo dip tubes

 

[scrap iron]

Does pouring warm water down the side work, or is that for CO2 or propane tanks? I forget

I don't know about that. But on humid days if I leave the door open long enough you can see the level by the sweat line.

 

[DuncB]

@agentbud
I think that I cooled to 80 celsius for first addition and then so on down. Are there any clues about that in the video?
They also like to do the second dry hop under pressure if memory serves me.

 

[bwible]

https://www.northernbrewer.com/products/plaato-keg-management-system

 

[Henbrew]

I just use a fish/luggage scale that has a hook. Takes seconds to get a measurement and even with everything connected it'll let me know if a keg is about to kick within a pint or two. You just need to know the empty keg weight.

 

[Merkur]

https://www.northernbrewer.com/products/plaato-keg-management-system

These Plaato units and the flow-meter based system are the only solutions that will work practically with my set-up. However since I have six active kegs +one on deck, it gets expensive quickly. $800 just for keg monitoring and not improving the brewing process is a lot!

I have two Komos kegerators built under the bar and can’t say enough about how well they work. However with each kegerator holding four corny kegs, it is not practical to use the magnet + ball solution or the luggage scale method. I am leaning towards the DIY KegCop or scale systems that are detailed on this forum.

 

[pvpeacock]

I have floating dip tubes in all of my kegs. I can tell when a keg is about to kick because the beer gets cloudy for the last 2-3 beers.

 

[rtstrider]

OK up front I'm new to kegging but it didn't take me long to think "how much is in the keg"? I'm thinking weigh an empty keg, weigh the partial, do some math on weight of beer and determine how much is left in the keg.
How do you do it? Thanks for any better way,
John

I use a floating dip tube. I notice that the last beer or three tends to be cloudy. Now when coming up to the last few pours I notice the beers taste a tad yeasty compared to the first pours.

Back when using a regular dip tube it was the opposite. The last pours would be nice and clear (even with gelatin). They were always the cleanest!

 

[jerrylotto]

I wrote tare weights on all of my kegs with permanent marker. It comes in handy from time to time.

 

[Imhoppy]

I give the keg a gentle tilt from time to time, and then again when I think it's getting close to empty. It's about as easy as figuring out if my beer glass is nearly empty too. Lol.

 

[odie]

Not an original idea, but I read it in another thread years ago and thought it was clever. Put 2 cups on your kegerator, one for full keg and one for an empty keg. Now put 50 pennies in the full keg cup. Every time you pour a beer, take a penny from the full cup and put it in the empty cup.

hmmm...works as long as all your pours are a "standard" 12oz. Pints will not last 50 servings.

I pour assorted sizes, often smaller pours so they don't get warm before I finish the glass.

But a super simple idea to track general usage.

 

[wsmith1625]

I've never tried it myself, but I assume it gets you close. I actually tap the keg with my finger and listen to the sound. Kind of like thumping a watermelon. My method doesn't tell my how many pours I have left, but lets me know that I'm getting low.