Kegging & Misc Question

[JONNYROTTEN]

I used Starsan once...once. Total foam explosion.
I run BLC every once and a while. A bottle lasts a long time. The bigger bottle last me a couple years.You don't need to clean the lines every beer...or even close to that. I do a deep clean ( dosaasamble faucets, soak tap ETC. every couple months. The water/ BLC mix I soak everything in always looks clean when I'm done like they really didn't even need a cleaning

 

[kev211]

Don't fear the foam! Foam is part of the cleaning process. It's fine to have in there. StarSan is non toxic in smaller quantities. What are smaller quantities? I've sucked back half a gallon of starsan into a 5 gal batch. Tasted fine and nobody died

 

[brew703]

Ok. Guess I'll not worry about the foam.

 

[brew703]

I used Starsan once...once. Total foam explosion.
I run BLC every once and a while. A bottle lasts a long time. The bigger bottle last me a couple years.You don't need to clean the lines every beer...or even close to that. I do a deep clean ( dosaasamble faucets, soak tap ETC. every couple months. The water/ BLC mix I soak everything in always looks clean when I'm done like they really didn't even need a cleaning

BLC isnt a sanitizer right? I do have some BLC on order.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

BLC isnt a sanitizer right? I do have some BLC on order.

Its an acid as far as I know. You don't need anything else. Its good stuff. Run it through and then flush with water...Not sure if it would be considered a sanitizer

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Don't fear the foam!

You don't have to fear it but you don't have to like it either

 

[kev211]

You don't have to fear it but you don't have to like it either

Dont judge me!

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, BLC, LLC, and likely most other beer line cleaners, are caustics not acids...

Cheers!

 

[brew703]

I have read several posts regarding Accuflex & Bev Seal Ultra beer line. It appears no one can pin down the correct line length. I ordered 50' of Bev Seal with the intent on cutting each at 12' that way i would have enough for 4 lines (two spares).

I've read where some lines call for approx 1' per PSI- I will probably run a max of 12 PSI for all beers so that would put me at 12' for each line.

Would that be a good starting point or should I cut longer and trim down?

 

[Konadog]

Freezer probably next month. So hopefully I'll be set up before Christmas.

Wait until one of the holiday sales at best buy or other suppliers. You can save big $$$ by waiting. I had picked up a 10.2cf freezer for $199.99 durring a 4th of July sale.

 

[day_trippr]

I have read several posts regarding Accuflex & Bev Seal Ultra beer line. It appears no one can pin down the correct line length. I ordered 50' of Bev Seal with the intent on cutting each at 12' that way i would have enough for 4 lines (two spares).

I've read where some lines call for approx 1' per PSI- I will probably run a max of 12 PSI for all beers so that would put me at 12' for each line.

Would that be a good starting point or should I cut longer and trim down?

From most accounts, Bev Seal Ultra needs somewhere around 1.5X the length of solid PVC line (eg: Bevlex 200), maybe even a bit more than that. I would plan on starting with ~18 feet and see where it leads...

Cheers!

 

[brew703]

Wait until one of the holiday sales at best buy or other suppliers. You can save big $$$ by waiting. I had picked up a 10.2cf freezer for $199.99 durring a 4th of July sale.

yeah, not planning on getting the freezer until black friday or around that time. the 7.1 cft is $169 or $179 and that's the size i want.

 

[brew703]

From most accounts, Bev Seal Ultra needs somewhere around 1.5X the length of solid PVC line (eg: Bevlex 200), maybe even a bit more than that. I would plan on starting with ~18 feet and see where it leads...

Cheers!

That's the frustrating part. I've read some posts where some people say 10' of this tubing works, sometimes even less. Mike's calculator shows about 10' and that's taking into account 3.5' from keg to tap (dont think it will be that far), 12 PSI, 3/16" line, 10 sec flow rate and final gravity of 1.010. I realize this calculator is probably using regular beer line and not Accuflex or Bev Seal.

Can someone who uses this tubing please provide the length you use to get a good pour w/no foam? I wonder how length will play as i have flow control taps. All info is appreciated.

 

[Konadog]

Mine are 15' long and one of them foams once in awhile. I think it's due to the line getting warm as it's the only one still on top of the kegs. I'll be getting the 90 deg John Guest fittings to try to keep the lines between the kegs and the wall of the freezer.

I would start with a min. of 15' of line and go from there.

 

[brew703]

Thanks. Since i have 50' coming, guess i'll cut one line at 16.5' that way I'll get 3 runs if i have to keep them at that length.

 

[day_trippr]

[...]I realize this calculator is probably using regular beer line and not Accuflex or Bev Seal.[...]

I suspect all line calculators (even the 99% that are total crapware) are based on solid PVC line...

Cheers!

 

[brew703]

I suspect all line calculators (even the 99% that are total crapware) are based on solid PVC line...

Cheers!

I looked at Mikes calculator and it appears his is based on regular beer line.According to his calculator, i would need right under 10' of beer line so if i take that x1.5 comes to 15. So I'll probably go with 16.5' and hope that it's not more than that.

 

[day_trippr]

I looked at Mikes calculator and it appears his is based on regular beer line.[...]

Regular beer line = solid PVC
And Bev Seal Ultra is an Accuflex line. No "or" there.

You can trust Mike's calculator for solid PVC, the mystery remains how to adjust the calculated values for Ultra. It's definitely somewhere around 1.5x, but probably a bit higher.

The difference in line resistance has been attributed to the PET liner.
That could be true, but I've also read multiple accounts that claimed Ultra doesn't actually come in a legitimate 3/16" (.1875) ID - it's closer to 1/5".

If you use .200" ID in Mike's calculator the calculated line length increases by almost 40%.
Toss in a slicker PET liner and it's not hard to imagine why folks running Ultra use so much more line than PVC...

Cheers!

 

[brew703]

Regular beer line = solid PVC
And Bev Seal Ultra is an Accuflex line. No "or" there.

You can trust Mike's calculator for solid PVC, the mystery remains how to adjust the calculated values for Ultra. It's definitely somewhere around 1.5x, but probably a bit higher.

The difference in line resistance has been attributed to the PET liner.
That could be true, but I've also read multiple accounts that claimed Ultra doesn't actually come in a legitimate 3/16" (.1875) ID - it's closer to 1/5".

If you use .200" ID in Mike's calculator the calculated line length increases by almost 40%.
Toss in a slicker PET liner and it's not hard to imagine why folks running Ultra use so much more line than PVC...

Cheers!

Well ****. Guess I should have went with the regular stuff. Figured this line was better, last longer and not have to change as often.

 

[day_trippr]

Well ****. Guess I should have went with the regular stuff. Figured this line was better, last longer and not have to change as often.

Due solely to the PET liner, I do believe the Ultra is could last longer if maintained well and thus shouldn't need replacing as often. It's also less O2 permeable than PVC, if that matters. Add that up and I'd say on balance it's a "better" tubing.

You just need to account for its transfer performance...

Cheers!

 

[Brew_G]

That's the frustrating part. I've read some posts where some people say 10' of this tubing works, sometimes even less. Mike's calculator shows about 10' and that's taking into account 3.5' from keg to tap (dont think it will be that far), 12 PSI, 3/16" line, 10 sec flow rate and final gravity of 1.010. I realize this calculator is probably using regular beer line and not Accuflex or Bev Seal.

Can someone who uses this tubing please provide the length you use to get a good pour w/no foam? I wonder how length will play as i have flow control taps. All info is appreciated.

I finished my 3-tap keezer and tapped my first beer about a month ago, so my experience is limited only to that one beer, but...

I have Accu-Flex Bev-Seal Ultra lines at 11' apiece with vertical distance from keg to tap of about 8". My keezer is 41F and the regulator is set at 12 psi - pours are not overly foamy in the least.

The only thing with the lines is that my Perlick 630SS shank combo came with the tailpiece, so I couldn't use the John Guest fittings. It was a bit of a pain to connect the line, but after trying a couple times I did some more research and found a more efficient way to connect to the tailpiece.

 

[brew703]

I finished my 3-tap keezer and tapped my first beer about a month ago, so my experience is limited only to that one beer, but...

I have Accu-Flex Bev-Seal Ultra lines at 11' apiece with vertical distance from keg to tap of about 8". My keezer is 41F and the regulator is set at 12 psi - pours are not overly foamy in the least.

The only thing with the lines is that my Perlick 630SS shank combo came with the tailpiece, so I couldn't use the John Guest fittings. It was a bit of a pain to connect the line, but after trying a couple times I did some more research and found a more efficient way to connect to the tailpiece.

Thanks for the info. Regarding your lines, did you just guesstimate the length or used a calculator?

I will be using the John Guest fittings. I ordered the shanks without the tail piece.

A lot of people say 1.5x regular beer line for Accuflex.
If I use .200 as the hose diameter with 8" from keg to tap, 12psi Mikes Calculator shows 14.2'. If i leave the diameter at .1875 the hose length would be 10.42'.

I don't think there is a calculator for the Accuflex hose so it appears to be trial and error. I'm leaning towards going with 15' or 16.5' and cut back as needed.

 

[brew703]

Where is the best place to obtain kegs? Has anyone bought some from Ebay?
I would like to acquire a couple more as I would like to start fermenting in kegs.

 

[Konadog]

Where is the best place to obtain kegs? Has anyone bought some from Ebay?
I would like to acquire a couple more as I would like to start fermenting in kegs.

Try Craigslist or Kegconnection

 

[brew703]

Craigslist in my area doesn't have much. I search Craigslist 2-3 times a week.
KegConnection is where i got the two from.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

I tried to tell ya Sanke kegs with flow control and 4 or 5 ft lines for a perfect pour. No 14 ft coiled up lines sitting on a keg to deal with. No why am I getting flat beer or foamy beer or foamy flat beer questions that are everywhere around here. No slow pours...Its not you. Nobody ever listens. For some reason people like fighting to get a good pour around here instead of just getting the right system from the get go....I'll never understand

 

[mongoose33]

I tried to tell ya Sanke kegs with flow control and 4 or 5 ft lines for a perfect pour. No 14 ft coiled up lines sitting on a keg to deal with. No why am I getting flat beer or foamy beer or foamy flat beer questions that are everywhere around here. No slow pours...Its not you. Nobody ever listens. For some reason people like fighting to get a good pour around here instead of just getting the right system from the get go....I'll never understand

Don't we get to make our own choices, even if they go counter to what you feel is the best choice?

 

[day_trippr]

lol!

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Don't we get to make our own choices, even if they go counter to what you feel is the best choice?

Absolutely, and I don't want to seem rude about it. It just blows my mind that as things evolve most everyone evolves with it.
No more secondaries
Buckets instead of Carboys work just fine
No chill brewing...
And many other things in brewing have changed and many/most change with it....except kegs. Most will always recommend Cornies when sankes are far better in every way. I say this as I've used cornies and battled line length, and leaky seals, and clogged dip tubes, and less than stellar pours. I wish someone would have mentioned sankes from the get go and save me time money and aggravation and the reason I mention them to anyone getting started. Maybe it'll help someone to get a better system with hassle free pours right out of the gate(subjective but not really) Not being combative, quit the opposite, Giving real advise I wish someone gave me

 

[Sbe2]

Absolutely, and I don't want to seem rude about it. It just blows my mind that as things evolve most everyone evolves with it.
No more secondaries
Buckets instead of Carboys work just fine
No chill brewing...
And many other things in brewing have changed and many/most change with it....except kegs. Most will always recommend Cornies when sankes are far better in every way. I say this as I've used cornies and battled line length, and leaky seals, and clogged dip tubes, and less than stellar pours. I wish someone would have mentioned sankes from the get go and save me time money and aggravation and the reason I mention them to anyone getting started. Maybe it'll help someone to get a better system with hassle free pours right out of the gate(subjective but not really) Not being combative, quit the opposite, Giving real advise I wish someone gave me

Do you do closed transfers with a sanke? I would be interested to see how that works, probably the same as with a cornie