Reducing from 3/8”

[user 6402]

Curious, why do brewers reduce their gas and/or beer lines from 3/8” to 3/16”, especially when using Cornies?

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi @haggis51
The 3/16 line offers more resistance, therefore you need a shorter length to balance the system. If the beer lines are too short the beer will be extremely "foamy".

 

[user 6402]

Thanks Bigcol. So if the beer is too foamy, extending the beer line length or reduce to 3/16” should solve it. Is that correct?

 

[Ghillie]

Curious, why do brewers reduce their gas and/or beer lines from 3/8” to 3/16”, especially when using Cornies?

Made things a lot tidier for me. Would have needed about 6 - 8m of 3/8" OD tubing vs 700mm of 3/16" OD tubing for a pour at 15PSI. That is per keg! No brainer

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/kegerator-lines-against-the-grain.80459/

There is only 3m of 3/8" OD tubing in the first photo, imagine what 6m or 8m per keg would have been like...

I had no problems when using 3/8" OD tubing with ****** wide bore taps; but as soon as I upgraded to Intertaps (with much improved flow), there were foaming issues.

FYI, this calculator is pretty good and will show you just how little 3/16" OD tubing you need:

http://www.mikesoltys.com/2012/09/17/determining-proper-hose-length-for-your-kegerator/

Note the tubing diameter for the calculator is respective of ID.

-3/8" OD tubing has an ID of ~0.25"

-3/16" OD tubing has an ID of ~0.118"

 

[user 6402]

Made things a lot tidier for me. Would have needed about 6 - 8m of 3/8" OD tubing vs 700mm of 3/16" OD tubing for a pour at 15PSI. That is per keg! No brainer

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/kegerator-lines-against-the-grain.80459/

There is only 3m of 3/8" OD tubing in the first photo, imagine what 6m or 8m per keg would have been like...

I had no problems when using 3/8" OD tubing with ****** wide bore taps; but as soon as I upgraded to Intertaps (with much improved flow), there were foaming issues.

FYI, this calculator is pretty good and will show you just how little 3/16" OD tubing you need:

http://www.mikesoltys.com/2012/09/17/determining-proper-hose-length-for-your-kegerator/

Note the tubing diameter for the calculator is respective of ID.

-3/8" OD tubing has an ID of ~0.25"

-3/16" OD tubing has an ID of ~0.118"

Thanks Ghillie, it’s making sense now.

 

[Bigcol49]

Thanks Bigcol. So if the beer is too foamy, extending the beer line length or reduce to 3/16” should solve it. Is that correct?

Hi!
@Ghillie has given a very good explanation, and using a balancing calculator like the one he posted a link to, will help you get a good pour without excess foaming.
On my system I used short "stubs" of 3/8 line to make the connections, then used JG reducers to connect 3/16 line of the calculated length.

 

[Ghillie]

These are good too, but I think are slightly more expensive than the 3/8"-3/16" reducers.

https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/john-guest-3-8-stem-x-3-16-pushfit-reducer/

 

[F00b4r]

The small bore line is also much more flexible, this has two benefits, it is much easier to work with and prevents shear stress on the JG fittings and the associated leaks they can cause.