Infinite carbonation

[wapitiscat]

I'm fairly new to kegging having filled and dispensed 3 cornys and have 4 more full and in the fridge. One of those an Imperial Stout that has been kegged and pressurized for 3 weeks and is still taking CO2 at 10-12 psi. After sealing and purging, I put 25 psi on it for a day at about 36 deg F then backed the pressure of to the 10-12 psi range to a set it and forget it carbonation. Left it on the gas in the fridge until I got other kegs in there and had to move my single gas line around to service them. Every couple of days I'll put the gas back on this keg and give it 10-12 psi and can hear the gas going into the keg.

I've done multiple checks for leaks with soapy water, StarSan, spit, staring really hard, etc. and don't see any evidence of CO2 getting out. Is it possible that the beer is still taking up CO2? I tasted it once about a week ago and it seemed about right with respect to carb level. I've been reluctant to taste it again because it is so good I'm worried I would break my vow of waiting until Christmas to serve it. I'll use some will power and try it again tonight to assess the carbonation. Any ideas? Undetectable leak?

Todd

 

[zachattack]

My guess is a leak. Have you tried checking the "in" poppet with the disconnect off? Or if you're leaving the QD attached make sure your post o-ring is in good shape and well lubricated, and the QD itself isn't leaking. Gas leaks around the post can be very hard to detect, but you can submerged the QD in a glass of water to look for bubbles.

 

[wapitiscat]

So let's go ahead and call it a leak and it leaks down with the gas QD off. I'll put all the seals under closer scrutiny. If another round of soapy water investigation comes up empty, I'll see about submerging it in a barrel of water.

Todd