Soda Line Size... Please HELP

[EyeintheSky57]

Hi all.

I am having trouble with my soda line size.

Here is my setup:

Chest freezer with thermostat add-on at 39F.

Micro-Matic dual Co2 regulator.

Corny Keg for Soda.

1/4 SLIM Keg for beer.

2-spout tower dispenser.


With my soda, I mainly made root beer from extract syrup (occasionally cola). Carbonating with some Co2 and aggitation.

Here is my problem, I have tried a ton of line lengths and pressures trying to dispense the soda properly without too much foam.

Currently, I am running a 35 FT (!) of 3/16"idx7/16"od hose and 20 pounds of Co2 to dispense.

The line length seems extremely excessive. I use 5' for beer of the same.

Is there any knowledge you all can impart on me to help me make some sense of this? Or is this where I should be?

Or could you direct me to the knowledge bank somewhere?

Thanks in advance.

Root Beer Noob

 

[Yooper]

I usually use about 30' of 3/16" line at 30 psi for soda. So, you seem right in the ballpark. Are you getting too much foam?

 

[EyeintheSky57]

No. The soda comes out pretty good.

I just felt like the line size was way to big (as compared to the 5FT beer line I use).

If other people are using about the same, then I guess my problem is solved.

Thanks.

 

[atwebb]

Everything I've read says 30ft. How long do you let it sit for? I've got a cream soda at 30psi, but am wondering how long till it's carbed right (haven't tried it yet)

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

Think about this for a second. You're serving beer at what, 8 - 10psi. Carbed at the same. Soda is much more carbonated then soda is. 3-4times more. That's why the need for the longer, thinner line.

 

[EyeintheSky57]

That does make sense.

Here is what I do to carbonate ( I acknowledge there may be a better way, please tell me if you have one):

I over pressure the Corny keg to about 60#. I don't have a rule, just don't pop the relief (I think that lifts around 130#).


Next, with the hose attached and pressure applied, I role the keg on the ground with my foot to agitate. Not sure where I read to do that so I might be looking like a fool!

I keep the pressure up and keep roling the keg for about an hour. Then I let it sit for about 24 hours. Then I refrigerate the keg and let it sit for another 24 hours.

Then I adjust pressure down and drink.

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

No need to do it at such a high pressure (and that may be a the cause of a problem if you were experiencing one). Do the same, but do it at 30 - 35psi. When I'm doing test batches I use a 2L bottle with a carbonator cap and shake for maybe 15mins and I have a pretty well carbonated beverage in that time.