Nitrogen/Beer Gas Questions

[Gustatorian]

Just set up my taprite nitrogen set-up and wanted to rattle off a few questions – hoping someone can quickly answer these:

1.) What do you carb your beers to prior to switching to beer gas? (I read 2.0 volumes for most stouts, then titrate from there)

2.) What do you set your beer gas to? (I was told 30-32 PSI to maintain proper carbonation)

3.) How do you clean your faucet? Is there a way to take it apart?

4.) What kind of faucet cover do you use to cover the end?

 

[day_trippr]

1. Around 1.4-1.5 volumes using straight CO2.
2. 35 psi (75/25 N/CO2 blend).
3. I have a pumped recirculating cleaning system.
I have the Micromatic stout faucet, and the spout unthreads for occasional cleaning of the restrictor plate and flow straightener...
4. The small white cap from a carboy cap fits the spout perfectly...

Cheers!

 

[Gustatorian]

1. Around 1.4-1.5 volumes using straight CO2.
2. 35 psi (75/25 N/CO2 blend).
3. I have a pumped recirculating cleaning system.
I have the Micromatic stout faucet, and the spout unthreads for occasional cleaning of the restrictor plate and flow straightener...
4. The small white cap from a carboy cap fits the spout perfectly...

Cheers!

At 35 PSI are you seeing a good cascade without overcarbonation? I have mine set at 32 with minimal cascade. I'm afraid to raise it bc I don't want to overcarb it

 

[day_trippr]

I've had the stout faucet for nearly two years and going by the advice on hbt got it pouring handsomely in short order.
The biggest thing is not carbing too high. 1.5 volumes is the max for my setup before things start going downhill...

Cheers!

 

[Snicklefritz]

I've found that I prefer to just set the keg directly on the beer gas instead of carbing it before hand. It takes a little longer to get carbed that way but I've had 0 issues with over carbonation since I started doing it this way.

 

[Gustatorian]

I've found that I prefer to just set the keg directly on the beer gas instead of carbing it before hand. It takes a little longer to get carbed that way but I've had 0 issues with over carbonation since I started doing it this way.

What do you set your regulator to? Is there a beer gas chart that exists that similar to the CO2/temp chart?

 

[day_trippr]

There's math

Check out this thread.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?p=7598213#post7598213

And if that doesn't help, look at the bottom of that page and there'll be a bunch of related links.

Tip: favor "nitro" threads where @doug293cz lays down the science

Cheers!

 

[Gustatorian]

How are you guys keeping the faucet clean after you pour a pint? I've notice more dripping from this faucet as compared to my others. Looks like there is a small amount of residual volume that sits right below the restrictor plate that continuously drips, any solutions?

 

[day_trippr]

Yup, that's SOP for these long unvented spouts with the small diameter orifice.

After a pour I wick as much beer out of the spout as I can using the rim of my glass (there's a quickly self-evident technique to this to catch the drippings inside the glass) then cap the spout (the smaller of the white plastic caps that come with carboy caps fits my MM stout faucet spout perfectly).

But, no matter what, every few days I unscrew the spout and flush it out with hot water...

Cheers!