Co2 and the Corny

[Manngold]

Guys,

Sorry if this has been asked a bunch of times, but I can't seem to find a answer to it. I am using corny kegs for the first time. I am not keeping the gas constantly hooked up to the keg. My process for serving myself a pint when I want one is to:

1. Bleed the keg of excess Co2.
2. Attach the co2 line.
3. Get the correct serving pressure.
4. Pour pint.
5. Take Co2 off from the keg when finished for the night.

Is it ok for me to keep attaching and re-attaching the Co2 like this? If so, how should I leave the keg when I take the co2 off, at serving pressure?

Thanks

Manngold

[Jambo]

I only do number 4 and it seems to work fine and I don't waste much gas!

[woblylegs]

that pretty much how i use my corny kegs Manngold.
works great and if you do have a leaky seal you won't empty your co2 bottle unknowingly.

[Fil]

I too just do No 4..

tho i have also dropped a bottle of gas due to a slow leak (the once, my bad for not closing a valve fully..)

your gas system shouldnt have any leaks, and to make sure dont bend beer/gas line, it puts strain of the sealing fittings use 90 degree elbows if you need to negotiate corners

refer to a kegging chart for the ideal pressure to store the kegs at It will depend on the temperature.. Too high a pressure and you will add unwanted extra condition to the beer too low and you will loose condition from the beer..
http://www.kegerators.com/articles/carb ... -chart.php
think there might be one stickied in here using Celcius??

[rpt]

1. Bleed the keg of excess Co2.
3. Get the correct serving pressure.

Why does your keg have any excess CO2? You should condition at the serving pressure and so you never need to change the pressure. If you are getting foam when you pour then balance your system with a length of 3/16" beer line.

By the way, I use Sankey kegs rather than Cornies but it shouldn't make any difference.

[Manngold]

Hi, thanks for all the comments.

RPT, I am sure I read somewhere that before reattaching the gas line to the corny I should vent the pressure from the lid to stop beer going intoy gas line. Is this the case?

Thanks

[vacant]

I am sure I read somewhere that before reattaching the gas line to the corny I should vent the pressure from the lid to stop beer going intoy gas line. Is this the case?

Surely it can't do that if the level of beer is below the short tube under the gas-in post?

[Manngold]

I am sure I read somewhere that before reattaching the gas line to the corny I should vent the pressure from the lid to stop beer going intoy gas line. Is this the case?

Surely it can't do that if the level of beer is below the short tube under the gas-in post?

I don't know. I am fresh when it comes to this!

[Wonkydonkey]

So let's think what happens, to the said beer and we don't know how close the said beer is to the dip tube.

You connect your gas line to the cornie,
If there is no pressure in the gas line, or its lower than the pressure in the keg.
Or if you have been silly and have a leak.

Then the said beer can and will release co2 and form a nice head, (just like when you open a bottle of coke to quickly)
If you beer is close to the dip tube, then you get beer (froth) in your tube.

You can work the rest out.

But if you have more pressure in you gas line, then you get a very quick chance to disconnect if you need to, but as you have more pressure in the gas line. Then beer is not going in your tubes, and more importantly not in the cylinder.

Well that's how I see it.
And yeh I was silly once beer in me tube but not in the reg, luckily ...

[vacant]

If there is no pressure in the gas line, or its lower than the pressure in the keg.
Or if you have been silly and have a leak.

Then the said beer can and will release co2 and form a nice head, (just like when you open a bottle of coke to quickly)

When I started my corny adventure I was concerned about losing gas (£16 and 25 mile round trip to refill). I keep the gas connected but turned off at the cylinder. Each time I pour I check the keg pressure and turn on the gas if it is too low.

Wouldn't connecting/disconnecting every session put more strain on the line/fittings and make leaks more likely?

No/low pressure in the gas line is not like quickly opening a coke bottle as that is done into the atmosphere with no resistance. The internal volume of gas line (2 metres 3/8, i/d 1/4 = 100ml?) is small compared to the head space in a corny. When joined, the pressure drop in the keg is proportionally as small when the equalisation happens.

With a slow leak foam won't be produced. A fast leak would be something like the gas line getting pulled out or crushed and splitting. I can't see either scenario resulting in foam getting as far as the regulator or through that to the cylinder.