Corny keg gas issues

[bez]

Hi. I’ve just bought a corny keg set up. Using 3/8 piping and John guest fittings. I read that I need this to 3/16 at the delivery point to the taps otherwise it will foam.
I intend to rack my beer into the keg today with 150 g of sugar. Let it naturally secondary ferment. Then use the gas to push it through.

 

[nixhaz]

I've never used sugar to carbonate in a keg (I don't see the point, why not use the CO2 for that and not have cloudy beer?)..

But your pour depends on the length of your line and how much CO2 is in your beer. Following advice from on here, I use 3/8 to 3/16 to 3/8. I have about 2 inches of 3/8 at each end going into about 2 meters of 3/16 line. I use 12PSI in my beer. This is the setup: 3/16" Beer Line & 3/8" Pipe for Beer Tap & Keg. Will Fit 3/8" JG or 1/4" Barb. | eBay

 

[bez]

So basically it comes out if the keg at 3/8 and into the tap 3/8. But the central part is thinner 3/16. Us there a reason for that?

 

[bez]

I've never used sugar to carbonate in a keg (I don't see the point, why not use the CO2 for that and not have cloudy beer?)..

But your pour depends on the length of your line and how much CO2 is in your beer. Following advice from on here, I use 3/8 to 3/16 to 3/8. I have about 2 inches of 3/8 at each end going into about 2 meters of 3/16 line. I use 12PSI in my beer. This is the setup: 3/16" Beer Line & 3/8" Pipe for Beer Tap & Keg. Will Fit 3/8" JG or 1/4" Barb. | eBay

You mention cloudy is that due to the secondary fermentation.

 

[bez]

I've never used sugar to carbonate in a keg (I don't see the point, why not use the CO2 for that and not have cloudy beer?)..

But your pour depends on the length of your line and how much CO2 is in your beer. Following advice from on here, I use 3/8 to 3/16 to 3/8. I have about 2 inches of 3/8 at each end going into about 2 meters of 3/16 line. I use 12PSI in my beer. This is the setup: 3/16" Beer Line & 3/8" Pipe for Beer Tap & Keg. Will Fit 3/8" JG or 1/4" Barb. | eBay

I read that the mouth feel would be better. But CO2 is the same from wherever I suppose. Maybe it removes excess yeast.

 

[Drunkula]

You mention cloudy is that due to the secondary fermentation.

Yes. I shown the maths on it before but typically to carb a keg with sugar = 6p, with co2 15p, with brewing sugar from Wilko 29p. So is that 9p saved over sugar worth undoing the time it took dropping the beer clear, the extra time for it to condition and the having the first pint being a cloudy, gunky laxative.

 

[nixhaz]

The thinner line is to reduce the flow, so that you don't have to have an enormous length of 3/8. To have a decent pour with 3/8 line you'd need 274 foot of line. At 3/16 you only need 10 foot.
https://www.kegerators.com/beer-line-calculator/

 

[Session]

Or you could get a flow control disconnect to save you having to try to balance your lines with meters and meters of beer line.

https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/stainless-steel-disconnect-with-flow-control/

 

[nixhaz]

That’s awesome if somewhat pricey!

 

[xozzx]

Personally I wouldnt bother with flow control taps. I have 2 and wish I hadnt bothered. I either got very slow pour or foam with them so balanced the line as with non flow control taps and always use them in fully open position. Approx 2m of 3/16" line coiled up and taped neatly inside the keezer works perfectly. Start with a bit longer than you expect to need and keep shortening it until you get a decent pour without too much foam.

 

[Drunkula]

Flow control taps are good to have in addition to 3/16" line so you can change the carb style. Definitely good to have the pipe do all the heavy restriction.

 

[Graz]

Flow control taps are good to have in addition to 3/16" line so you can change the carb style. Definitely good to have the pipe do all the heavy restriction.

This is what I do. I've trimmed down my 3/16" to the point where I can pour an ale with the flow control fully open. The Weiss I'm currently working my way through is carbonated to nearly 4 volumes so I need the flow control closed down significantly for that and keep the glass tilted while pouring but I can serve it as it should be with a good fluffy white head on it.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

I've never used sugar to carbonate in a keg (I don't see the point, why not use the CO2 for that and not have cloudy beer?)..

But your pour depends on the length of your line and how much CO2 is in your beer. Following advice from on here, I use 3/8 to 3/16 to 3/8. I have about 2 inches of 3/8 at each end going into about 2 meters of 3/16 line. I use 12PSI in my beer. This is the setup: 3/16" Beer Line & 3/8" Pipe for Beer Tap & Keg. Will Fit 3/8" JG or 1/4" Barb. | eBay

Thanks for the link mate. I have several corny's but gave up using them due to the foaming issue. I'll give it another try with this.

 

[bez]

I've never used sugar to carbonate in a keg (I don't see the point, why not use the CO2 for that and not have cloudy beer?)..

But your pour depends on the length of your line and how much CO2 is in your beer. Following advice from on here, I use 3/8 to 3/16 to 3/8. I have about 2 inches of 3/8 at each end going into about 2 meters of 3/16 line. I use 12PSI in my beer. This is the setup: 3/16" Beer Line & 3/8" Pipe for Beer Tap & Keg. Will Fit 3/8" JG or 1/4" Barb. | eBay

Thanks for the advice

 

[bez]

Yes. I shown the maths on it before but typically to carb a keg with sugar = 6p, with co2 15p, with brewing sugar from Wilko 29p. So is that 9p saved over sugar worth undoing the time it took dropping the beer clear, the extra time for it to condition and the having the first pint being a cloudy, gunky laxative.

I’ll have a go. It’s like everything when you get below the surface it’s complex.

 

[fury_tea]

Personally I wouldnt bother with flow control taps. I have 2 and wish I hadnt bothered. I either got very slow pour or foam with them so balanced the line as with non flow control taps and always use them in fully open position. Approx 2m of 3/16" line coiled up and taped neatly inside the keezer works perfectly. Start with a bit longer than you expect to need and keep shortening it until you get a decent pour without too much foam.

I have 2 flow control taps as well, I managed to get them working after some fiddling on a pale ale and a Baltic Porter, now they don't work at all (with lager types). I thought I was doing something wrong but I've tried everything. The party tap with reduced lines works perfectly. I'll get reduced lines and see if that works, cheers!

 

[bez]

Yep got it now thanks. Change the pipe diameter reduced flow rate
AV=A2V2
And flow rate is inversely proportional to pipe length
so by reducing the diameter and increasing the length you reduce the flow rate.

 

[bez]

I have 2 flow control taps as well, I managed to get them working after some fiddling on a pale ale and a Baltic Porter, now they don't work at all (with lager types). I thought I was doing something wrong but I've tried everything. The party tap with reduced lines works perfectly. I'll get reduced lines and see if that works, cheers!

Thanks.

 

[bez]

This is what I do. I've trimmed down my 3/16" to the point where I can pour an ale with the flow control fully open. The Weiss I'm currently working my way through is carbonated to nearly 4 volumes so I need the flow control closed down significantly for that and keep the glass tilted while pouring but I can serve it as it should be with a good fluffy white head on it.

Obviously a lot of experience needed

 

[AXW123]

I have just got two corny kegs and my first experience was appalling with loads of foam and pretty much a waste of the whole 10l keg. I almost gave up but it was a lot of capital expenditure so I persevered. I read a lot and asked some questions on here and moved to 10 foot of 3/16 line with a party tap and it’s perfect. So I haven’t got my expensive flow control tap out of its box. Can someone tell me what difference will it make to my carbonation style if I use the flow control tap too? Very interested to know.