Re: [SPHBC Public] keg testing?

A couple of other ideas. Install one way check valves between C02 tank regulators and white inlet valves. If you slightly overfill a tank and accidentally continue with your fermentation, your tank pressure will exceed regulator pressure. If you connect the inlet fitting before venting excess gas, the beer, beer sludge, and contamination will work back through the regulator and is a bear to clean. I found some real nice plastic check valves in a Cornelius dispenser but have not been able to locate more in the market. Currently, my best find is the imported red handle valve (with internal check ball). Best buy is at Superior Homebrewing. I constructed a 6 valve manifold inside a chest freezer and manually turn on the valves for the separate tanks as needed. Once you get the general hang of carbonating, it gets easy to let just a bit of gas into the beer and maintain the carbonation levels appropriate for the style. Jim said it well - all beer is different. Some beer seems to absorb C02 very quickly and other beer (or pop) is quite stubborn. It is easy to add and easy to remove the gas. Make sure the supply line is long enough and small enough (internal diameter). Fitting sanitizing. Picnic valves grow really nasty goobers that turn white, green, orange, brown, and gray. It is really gross to have to spit one of these critters out and even worse if you provide a beer, with a treat, to a friend you wish to keep. Keep a small spray bottle of your favorite sanitizer mixed up and use it whenever you disconnect or connect a tank fitting. Also spray the sanitizer into the picnic tap between servings. Keep a few spare lines (valves, hoses, and tank fittings) filled with sanitizer so if you need a spare or if one goes sour, you can attach a clean assembly to your tank. A little beer will wash out the sanitizer and you will be back in business with fresh tasting beer. Last tip (honest). If you use a chest freezer and convert it to a refrigerator by installing a separate control, you will generate and trap moisture. The freezer is not designed to vent or drain out moisture. Left unchecked, it will rust out the freezer and also create a nice dark area for bacteria growth. To prevent this problem, make some sort of collection channel and glue it to the side of the freezer. This way, when the compressor is off and the ice melts, the moisture will run down into the channel. The best channel I found was a brass door air seal. It is basically a brass "V." I took a small copper tube and soldered it into the base of the "V" and routed the tube into the freezer drain. From there, I added a small tube to the outside of the freezer and divert the escaping condensate to a small evaporator pan located under the freezer. This is almost identical to what is used in current day freezers and refrigerators and it keeps the internal area quite dry. Best of luck with testing, carbonating, sampling, etc. Please let us know when we should show up for the sample party. Rick Oftel MHBA