New Kegger Questions

[Iceman6409]

Hello everyone. So I officially have everything I need to keg. I am starting with a 3 gallon keg and it is pin lock. The first problem I see is de-pressurizing. So I have hooked up the CO2 to the air post and turned it up to 30. By the way I am practicing on water. Turned on the gas and am letting it sit there. However the only way I can see to de-pressurize is the depress the beer post, which I assume will spray beer everywhere. So am I missing something here? Also is my process correct so far?

 

[physics911]

Pull the quick disconnect off the gas-in post and use it to bleed, otherwise you get what you mentioned, water in the face.

 

[physics911]

Regarding your question of, "is my process correct", which process are you trying to test?

 

[Iceman6409]

Ok so leave gas on at 30 for a few days then turn off?

 

[spittybug]

Disconnect gas line and depressurize from that post. You DO have a pressure relief valve in the top right? If it is the popit kind, just pull the tab and it will release. If it is a preset, you can't do that. Pictures my man, pictures.....

 

[physics911]

Iceman, what are you trying to accomplish? Are you testing your system for leaks? Trying to determine correct carb level? Seeing how far you can shoot beer across your room?

Please add some details.

 

[Iceman6409]

I am simply trying to learn how to carb in kegs. I have an ale ready but I want to have the process down first. That's my only goal

 

[physics911]

1) Have a keg system which doesn't leak, gas or liquid.
2) Add beer
3a) pressurize to about 10 to 12 psi, depending on temp and carb level preferences
3b) wait a week or two until proper carb level achieved
or
3a-alt) Pressurize to about 30 psi and roll/shake the keg around for a while (20 minutes to 1 day, depending on who you ask)
3b-alt) purge keg pressure and re-pressurize system to serving pressure (10-12 psi)

That is clearly a gross over-simplification of the carb process. I suggest reading the posts on this forum. There is a wealth of information on how to properly build a keg system, transfer, carb, and dispense your beer.

 

[Iceman6409]

One last question. In either scenario do I leave the gas on the whole time or not?

 

[physics911]

The short answer is yes.
Beer absorbs CO2, which you supply to it.
If you turn your regulator up to say 12 psi, pressurize your keg, and then shut down the valve on your tank, the beer will begin absorbing the CO2 and you will see the pressure drop on your regulator. In order to keep 12 psi, or whatever you set to, you must leave the tank open so the system can equalize as the liquid absorbs the gas.

This is where it is important to make sure you have a leak-free system. Because you are leaving your tank open, if there is a leak somewhere, you will just ultimately vent the CO2 into the air and you will have neither a carbed beer nor the pressure to serve it (empty tank). This means, make sure your system is leak free before adding beer.

 

[Iceman6409]

Got it. Thank you all so much for your help. I read quite a few things and watched quite a few videos. They are all slightly different from each other so I thought I would ask you folks to clarify. Thank you again.