Kegging Not Quite Right

[dracus]

I've searched for high and low through the internet and here for a concise answer to my question. I seem to have as many different answers as I do questions.

I have some brand new kegs and my first attempt at kegging didn't come out at all like I wanted. I'm willing to give it some time to learn the finer points.

Here is what I did.

1. I took my beer two batches worth, and racked into clean, sanitized kegs.
2. I hooked up the co2 to room temperature beer, cranked it up to 30psi and shook/rolled the kegs for 10 minutes.
3. I put the kegs in the fridge, and lowered the co2 to 12psi, purged the keg to matching psi.
4. I tried the beer, 24 hours later and while I got a decent head the beer wasn't really carbed. Tasted good but not carbed.
5. I tried it again 36 hours later less foam but not carbed really either.

My questions are?

1. Whats the next step if I want this carbed more.

Everything I've read said I should be able to have carbed drinkable beer in 5 minutes. (assuming the beer is good to begin with)

2. Whats the proper serving pressure? Seems my lines being 2ft need to be longer or I have to serve at a really low pressure.

I was assured by the lhbs that the 10 minutes at 30psi would have the beer carbed up and ready to go in 24h or so.

Just trying to get a workable procedure here..Any advice or suggestions are more than welcome. So far kegging is NOT easier than bottling.

 

[MikeinAK]

Just wait a few more days and your beer will continue to carb up.

When the beer is at room temperature, the co2 doesn't dissolve into the beer as readily. Chilling the keg will help it absorb the co2 better. Did you have the co2 hooked up the whole time you shook it? I've never had good luck with the shake method. I now only do the set it and forget it method. Put the keg in the kegerator, hook up to co2, set the regulator to you're desired carbonation (which is serving pressure), and wait a week or so. Your beer will end up clearer and nicely carbed. Longer lines will help you serve at 12psi. I use 10' on my taps in my keezer and I run and about 11 psi. I get good pours. My first pour of the night is slighty foamy, due to the taps are warm.

Check out Bobby's thread for more info on carbonating a keg.

Also a carbonation chart is nice to have handy.

 

[david_42]

I was assured by the lhbs that the 10 minutes at 30psi would have the beer carbed up and ready to go in 24h or so.

No, if you had chilled the beer and forced it, then it would have been carbonated fairly well. But, you really have to shake it hard. And carbonated is not conditioned. Even a conditioned beer will taste a bit odd for 2-3 days after forcing.

Ditto on 10' of 3/16ths for serving.

 

[HairyDogBrewing]

You need to give it more time.
I cold crash my secondaries, so the beer is cold when I keg.
I turn the pressure up to 30 psi and leave it overnight to begin.
Then I turn it down to 12 to 15 psi for a week.
Serving pressure is 8 to 10 psi with 10 feet of 3/16 tubing.

I draw samples occasionally and it just isn't right until the second week.

 

[shortyjacobs]

Ditto on more time, longer lines, (I too recommend 10'), etc. I do 48 hrs at 30 PSI, (NO SHAKING!!!), then 10-12 PSI for serving. Mine taste pretty good after about 96 hrs in the keg, (giving 2 days after turning down the pressure to 10-12 PSI to allow carbonic acid bite to dissipate).

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

If you just have to have a taste right away, get some 2 liter soda bottles and a carbonator cap.

Hit the filled bottle with 30psi, unhook the gas, and shake the crap out of the bottle. Repeat several times.

Stick the bottle in the freezer for about 20 minutes, then put it in the fridge for an hour or two.

Now, you can have a 2 liter taste.

(Don't shake the keg.)

 

[wildwest450]

I was assured by the lhbs that the 10 minutes at 30psi would have the beer carbed up and ready to go in 24h or so.

Tell them I said their asshats.

 

[dracus]

Thanks guys and gals.

I will get more line tonight along with a couple of things I need to hook up the new beer gun. Good call on the two liters.

After its carbed up in the two liter, can you then switch to a regular cap. I realize once you start drinking it, it will go flat pretty fast just like a regular soda will?

The reason I ask is Im going to a camping event. I was hoping to put some beer in 2 liters they will be drank very quickily so Im not worried about going flat. I just don't want to buy or make 10-20 car caps.

 

[DKershner]

Thanks guys and gals.

I will get more line tonight along with a couple of things I need to hook up the new beer gun. Good call on the two liters.

After its carbed up in the two liter, can you then switch to a regular cap. I realize once you start drinking it, it will go flat pretty fast just like a regular soda will?

The reason I ask is Im going to a camping event. I was hoping to put some beer in 2 liters they will be drank very quickily so Im not worried about going flat. I just don't want to buy or make 10-20 car caps.

You can replace the cap after the beer is carbed. You should only need one as long as you have a lot of time beforehand.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

I have two of the carbonator caps, so unless I need one for another bottle, I just leave them on.