Possible problem where barrel cant hold co2?

[Sparkz]

Hey guys,

been having a problem with my barrel a few times which is strange as hell. I dont know weather its the beer or the fact the barrel is damaged somehow.

Im using a youngs standard barrel with the c02 valve on the top.

The last 3 brews have been problematic where the barrel doesnt pour correct. When I pour the beer it starts pouring ok, then stops and when tap is fully opened you can hear the bubble floating up in the barrel trying to force out more beer.

With the first 2 I thought it could of been down to the way I brewed the beer or didnt add enough enhancer to help pressurize the barrel.

This time however I had the brew in 1st fermenter for more than 10 days. Then it went in second fermenter for the same amount of time (adding more hop and elderflower extract each time). Followed by having 1/2 a tea spoon of enhancer per pint put into the barrel before filling with beer.


more than 2 weeks later and its having the exact same problem as before. Pours fine for a few seconds and then the bubble inside flows upwards trying to force more beer out.

Cant even find my last c02 bulb

 

[Wez]

Is it sucking air back in through the tap?

 

[shearclass]

I had this problem previously. it was caused by not adding a little lubricant, i.e. vaseline, to the thread of the lid. The lubricant allows the lid to be tightened much more, making it sealed and stopping CO2 escaping.

I have two barrels, but only had this problem with one of them. However, as soon as a added a touch of vaseline to the thread of the lid and tightend everything up, there has been no problem.

Hopefully your problem will be solved as simple as that!

 

[Sean_Mc]

It sounds like the screw on lid isn't sealing correctly, but when I used them I applied vaseline to the white rubber seal that sits inside the lid. Over tightening can cause the seal to buckle, so only just hand tighten

 

[Sparkz]

Wez - its kinda like that.

I did add plenty of vaseline over the rubber seal. What I forgot to mention and what i noticed before was the seal had a bit of a rip in it, im certain it wasnt like that the last 2 times iv brewed though (which gave the same problem)

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

PITA nylon barrels, they either leak on the tap threads because pressure has built up too much or the seals leak and it's flat..
Beware though if it sucks air in, it will turn the ale bad..

BB

 

[Sparkz]

PITA nylon barrels, they either leak on the tap threads because pressure has built up too much or the seals leak and it's flat..
Beware though if it sucks air in, it will turn the ale bad..

BB

Thanks


You think a new barrel would be better next time then (aka king keg ).

Maybe can just find or buy a c02 bulb for now, use it on barrel and hope it manages to hold it for long enough so I can drink it (or even possible to undo the lid a bit and let it flow out that way... i think i read that somewhere before)

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

If money is available you should go down the corny route.

 

[anthonyUK]

Beware though if it sucks air in, it will turn the ale bad..

BB

Assuming the leak is fixed and the barrel can hold some pressure - Wouldn't a squirt of CO2 resolve this though?

 

[Cussword]

If money is available you should go down the corny route.

+1 for that :thumb:

 

[Merry]

I had a similar problem with my barrel, turned out that the cap washer had become twisted when I put the cap on, hence the pressure was far too low.

I received an excellent tip on this forum for spotting the source of the leak - get a cup of water with a bit of washing up liquid in and use a brush to apply all around the cap & neck and anywhere else there could be a leak. Then use the co2 bulb and you be able to see whether it's leaking from the cap or valve or wherever. If you're lucky there might be just enough pressure to spot it without having to use a co2 bulb - then you can fix it and use the bulb to get some pressure back in there and hopefully your beer is saved.

 

[anthonyUK]

I received an excellent tip on this forum for spotting the source of the leak - get a cup of water with a bit of washing up liquid in and use a brush to apply all around the cap & neck and anywhere else there could be a leak.

I think that is basically what Snoop is.

Can you see the Snoop dog

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Beware though if it sucks air in, it will turn the ale bad..

BB

Assuming the leak is fixed and the barrel can hold some pressure - Wouldn't a squirt of CO2 resolve this though?

Might prolong it but once air gets in the deterioration starts.

 

[Sparkz]

.

Sounds like the best idea could be to drink my beer asap and looks like that barrel has pretty much had its life (crappy economy). Means I got this week to sort out 2 new barrels and consume nearly 30 pints

Shame really as its my best brew to date (pretty much the canned version of whchwoods elderwych )

 

[Sean_Mc]

I'm sure there's a guy ebay that sells lids for barrels, or do you still have your old lid and use that seal.

 

[Sparkz]

I'm sure there's a guy ebay that sells lids for barrels, or do you still have your old lid and use that seal.

omg thats an excellent plan,

Never actually thought of that but my starter kit actually came with the old lid, im sure theres a seal on it... now to rummage through the rubbish in the shed for it hmmm

 

[Sparkz]

couldnt find spare seal, but took seal out, played a bit with it and it pours well.

Will be happy when this beer is all gone though. Tastes nice. The other night I had 5 pints and it gave me a headache. Tonight have had 4 so far, feel only a tiny bit tipsy but feeling headache setting in again

 

[Sean_Mc]

I remember reading somewhere about someone making a seal from cutting up his wife hot water bottle :lol:

The headaches Sparks are possibly from fermenting the brew at too high a temp, higher fusel alcohol production :wha:

 

[Sparkz]

haha, ill try and dig round the house for the spare water bottle and get the cutters out (think the only 1 here has a teady bear on it so im playing with fire)

It could well be, it wasnt too warm in the kitchen recently so should of brewed at the norm temp. Beer feels very cold when poured in a glass.

Got a major mission on with making my brewing quarters tomorrow which perhaps should combat any future problems if the heat was to blame. Perfect location in the home which is actually inside an old coal bunker we have here. Just waiting for my delivery and then should be able to crack on with a 120 pint brew

Suppose I could save some of this brew for future partys, in case any slightly rowdy people come round... feed em in and watch em fall