Too much foam

[Seanwallner]

I put a pale ale on 20lbs for two days. Took a sample and all I get is foam at high pressure. I vented the keg and adjusted to 10 lbs. It's in a keezer at 45 degrees with the co2 tank and lines. It's pushing through 6 ft of 5/16 and a Picnic tap. Have changed to 8 ft with little or no difference. Found the beer ball valve was sticking so I swapped it out. Over carbed?? Anything over 2 or 3 lbs pushes foam. Help

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

You're at almost 3 volumes, that's too much in my opinion, but it depends on your preferences. I also don't like my temps that high, I set my fridge at 40F and my psi @ 13-14psi. I let it sit for 2 weeks and it's good to go.

 

[Mpavlik22]

I set my fridge at 40F and my psi @ 13-14psi. I let it sit for 2 weeks and it's good to go.

+1. I do the same thing. Works great for me

 

[gtcole]

5/16 is way too large. 3/16 is ideal

 

[Seanwallner]

It might be 3/16. I have to look tonight. Its whatever LHBS reccomended for beer line. So I was crunched for time thats why I didnt let it set for two weeks at normal pressures. Now i need to bottle some for a competition and serve this saturday at a homebrew competition. Any thoughts? After its poured the foam dissipates quickly and leaves a great 2 in head but i would prefer not so much pressure

 

[Seanwallner]

It is 3/16. Took it off the gas. Vented the keg all the way. Gave it 4 lbs and immediately blows foam the consistency of star San. Won't go away. I'm stumped. Help

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

It is 3/16. Took it off the gas. Vented the keg all the way. Gave it 4 lbs and immediately blows foam the consistency of star San. Won't go away. I'm stumped. Help

Venting the keg won't get rid of the overcarbonation that fast. You need to bring it to room temp, and vent it every time you think about it. After 24 hours, stick it back in the fridge and set your pressure to something lower. Wait a few days and you should be good.

 

[Yooper]

Venting the keg won't get rid of the overcarbonation that fast. You need to bring it to room temp, and vent it every time you think about it. After 24 hours, stick it back in the fridge and set your pressure to something lower. Wait a few days and you should be good.

Or, just keep it off of the gas, and keep venting. You can even pour a pint with a "1/2 venting" and then venting the rest. Does that make sense? I'm not patient enough to wait long, and I definitely don't want to move a keg and stir up any sediment. So if I do get an overcarbed keg through my impatience of setting it too high at the beginning, the easiest fix is to keep it where it is and turn off the gas, and pull the pressure relief valve whenever you think about it.

If you want a beer, vent the keg a bit, pour the beer, and then vent it the rest of the way. Just keep it off the gas until it's not overcarbed. That way, you can "decarb your beer and drink it too", sort of.

 

[Seanwallner]

I took it off the gas last night and Im venting it whenever I walk by the Keezer. Will warming it up help it move the 02 quicker? This has to be ready by Saturday. I dont mind removing it from the Keezer if that will help

 

[JuanMoore]

I took it off the gas last night and Im venting it whenever I walk by the Keezer. Will warming it up help it move the 02 quicker? This has to be ready by Saturday. I dont mind removing it from the Keezer if that will help

Yes, but it's easier to judge when it's been degassed far enough if you keep it cold. If you leave it off the gas and vent every hour or two for 1-2 days it should be fine even kept cold. At 45F and 20 psi it shouldn't be too overcarbed, so you don't really have a ton of excess gas to get rid of. I'd also suggest longer line, like ~10' of 3/16" id. When you go to bottle for the competition, freeze the bottles for a while first, and turn the pressure way down (~2-5psi). Low pressure and keeping everything cold will help minimize loss of carbonation during the bottling process. Good luck!

 

[Seanwallner]

Thanks for the input gentlemen

 

[Seanwallner]

Soooooooo....... I found the problem. Make sure you remember this one. this was the first time I used this corny but had already cleaned it and put it away. However I forgot to install the new o rings on the dip tube and the the couplers when I put it into use. Put a o ring on the diptube and Voila... it pours perfect. Live and Learn.. Thanks for all your help. Very relieved and now enjoying a great homebrew.

 

[day_trippr]

Yup, that's one to file away in Brain Space.

I love stories with happy endings

Cheers!

 

[a_shorething]

Yup, that's one to file away in Brain Space.

I love stories with happy endings

Cheers!

+1. Good piece of detective work there! Thanks for posting the solution.