do i have the correct CO2 regulator?

[ceteri]

I have a regulator for my Cornelius Keg system but i am starting to wonder if it is approriate as all i am getting when i pull a beer is a glass full of foam. The regulator is seen below:

I do not have any lines, i have a tap attached directly to the corny, so i know that may cause an issue with foaming. if i wanted to serve at say 4 psi, this is 0.27 bar on my regulator (according to my converter) which is hardly even registering on the dial, do a lot of people have a regulator like this? and what is the standard serving pressure to avoid getting nothing but a glass full of foam?

 

[Dads_Ale]

There are several issues that could result in a pint of foam, including temperature, serving pressure and length of serving line.
There have been several threads on here recently regarding cornies so it may be worth having a scan through.

I would say you need a second stage regulator so as you can set the pressure more accurately. Something like this
http://www.brandels.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=130_84_95&product_id=399
There are several other versions on this site although I have not used them personally as I have one of the Pepsi gas distribution boards.

You will struggle though if you cannot regulate the corny temp.

 

[baggybill]

Without a doubt, this was my biggest frustration moving to Corny's

My first keg of lager came out at near 50-60% foam. I've learned a lot since then and now can pull a near perfect pint from a tap directly mounted on the keg itself (tap from the Malt Miller).

First off, I was making a pigs ear of the force carbing - too high a pressures, too high a keg temp and for tooooo long.

To cut a long story short, I now cold crash my brew before racking to corny, use 30psi for 24hrs, then 10-12 psi for then on (minimum 3 or 4 days recommended).

To pull a pint, I purge the keg, set pressure to 3-4psi which I can clearly see and accurately set on my gauge, and v.gently use the tap.

Pulled this one earlier, drinking right now :drink::

 

[ceteri]

Thanks for the advice guys I will keep an eye on those things next time I keg.

In the meantime looks like I may need a secondary regulator, which is frustrating as I bought the first one at the same time as i got the corny from the same supplier so assumed it would be suitable.

 

[thepatchworkdoll]

Hi Ceteri
In my opinion theres nothing wrong with your regulator and I dont think you need another secondary. Attach a piece of 3/16" beerline about 1 metre long and keep your corny keg cool and you should be good to go.
regards
Patch

 

[mickthetrick]

ive a secondary regulator spare that id be willing to sell on.
pm me if your interested

 

[Fil]

YOu can buy a gauge in psi with the granularity of gauge to suit your needs for circa £5 (ebay), then use air tool plumbing bits to connect it to a 3/8" JG connector and a 3/8" JG T or Y fitting to branch off your post regulator gas line.

But in order to avoid foam (Been there!!) you need to consider the keg is only the storage aspect of your dispensing system, temperature control of the keg/beer AND balancing the keg pressure with some sort of resistance (microline 3/16", or flow control device/tap) so that the difference in pressure (or pressure gradient) at the tap point is only 1-2 psi all contribute to pouring a foam free pint.

serving a keg at a nominal pressure can help, But can also contribute to loss of condition, and will generally require a venting off prior to a serving session as the low pressure wont maintain the condition and between sessions the loss will build up in the keg till the beer reaches a balanced equilibrium point.


Ideally maintaining a temperature and pressure ideal for serving in a keg fridge will ensure a consistant pour and condition in the beer from the first to last pint drawn


http://www.kegerators.com/articles/carbonation-table-pressure-chart.php

 

[ceteri]

Thanks for the replies. Fil, fitting an extra gague sounds good, would something like this be suitable? Also could you suggest the correct fittings i would need to use?

I'm in the process of upgrading a lot of my brew gear but still have a lot to learn, and dont want to end up buying things twice :-)

 

[Fil]

Yes, But... perhaps something with a slightly higher max pressure rating, and when fitted always start with the reg closed and open up gently , to much pressure out would probably bust the gauge

i use a guage with a 1/4" bsp thread on its connector,..

while a F 1/4" thread to 3/8" jg fitting must exist I couldnt fine one and could only find ones with male threads, so i used a 1/4" to 1/4" f/f hex socket (circa£1 ebay) with a good wrap of ptfe tape on both male threads to join the gauge to the JG fitting..

i can only find expensive bits on ebay.. but something like

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Barbed-Th...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item4ad285bebd

or if the guage you get has a 1/8" thread

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B2-00933-...830?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item541a6a2926

ok this is for 20 when u only need 1 .. but im too lazy to search more

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JOHN-GUES...163?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43daa20d53

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5x-JG-Spe...543?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item463158e2d7

 

[ceteri]

Thanks Fil, that's really helpful. I should be able to put something together now!

 

[Fil]

You may want to consider making up 2, especially if you store older kegs off gas and somewhere susceptible to sudden temperature drops..

A gauge fitted to a gas in disconnect is very useful to check kegs on the fly.

 

[Dads_Ale]

Apologies for jumping in too quick and saying you need a secondary regulator (although you probably will if you get more than 1 corny)

Fil beat me to the use of a separate pressure gauge like this



The parts I used are:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121137699...49&var=420153077883&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
pressure guage. There are a range of increments. I went for the 0-60psi as it comes with a 3/8 BSP adapter that fits one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221592982...49&var=520451979391&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

If you can find another adapter then you can get a lower increment gauge.

And you need a JG 3/8 equal T that are available at loads of places.

Good luck

 

[baggybill]

Be careful picking your gauge. The original Amazon one you mentioned has a BSPT thread (tapered) which differs from BSP. Just an fyi...

 

[ceteri]

Thanks for the advice, the image of The gague hooked up to the beer line is helpful, and it's good to know I need to keep an eye on the type of thread. I think I will get two of these, using one attached to a gas out fitting to monitor pressure in standing cornies is a great idea (I currently have two cornies and plan to get one more).

 

[baggybill]

Apologies for jumping in too quick and saying you need a secondary regulator (although you probably will if you get more than 1 corny)

Fil beat me to the use of a separate pressure gauge like this



The parts I used are:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121137699...49&var=420153077883&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
pressure guage. There are a range of increments. I went for the 0-60psi as it comes with a 3/8 BSP adapter that fits one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221592982...49&var=520451979391&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

If you can find another adapter then you can get a lower increment gauge.

And you need a JG 3/8 equal T that are available at loads of places.

Good luck

That's a great picture and links. I already have a couple of spare gas disconnects and plenty 3/8 hose. I can now get these bits and make up something to monitor my kegs current pressure without having to move them about and hook them up all the time. :thumb:

 

[Dads_Ale]

If you are thinking of getting another corny then keep a lookout for one of these:



They do come up on ebay etc. but pays to get some sort of assurance that it is leak tight. otherwise you end up with this:



cost as much for the additions as the original. Lucky I had a C02 gauge from my MIG welder
Then you can convert your shed :thumb:



ps.. it is a cloudy rye ale :whistle:

 

[Dads_Ale]

Or you could connect direct to corny lid:



Please PM before going down this route...:-(

 

[Fil]

Glad Dads_ale did share his superior cheaper solution..
Way better, less connections :hat:

 

[Dads_Ale]

Glad Dads_ale did share his superior cheaper solution..
Way better, less connections :hat:

I was trying to point in your direction on previous postst for superior knowledge (and patience to put it I writing) on a frothy pint :thumb::thumb::thumb: