Hi all...the problem still is there... as I said before I only brewed 2.5 gal in a 6 gal keg so the keg is just under half full. I kegged the brew on 15/04/08 and moved it into the shed on the 21/04/08. On the 22nd I just cracked the tap and air started to rush into the keg so I closed the tap.As this indicated that the inside of the keg was below atmospheric I cracked a CO2 (small) into the keg and tried again. This time a gassy brew came out. Today I tried again and once again air tried to rush in so once again I regassed with a further CO2 cylinder. I now have a problem... there cannot be a leak in the Keg as ther is always a lower pressure in the keg so my question is...must I keep adding CO2 in order that the pressure inside the keg is above atmospheric and is the CO2 being absorbed by the brew ????
Please help.... Frederick
No gas in keg 2
-
opentoideas
thats a wierd problem!
not sure why this is happening but rather than opening the tap and bubling air through the beer can you get at the PRV on the keg?
usualy you can displace the rubber band slightly with a finger and gas will rush out (or in, in your case) if there is pressure in the barrel you can smell the gas escaping and if it is under pressure then at least the air will be entering above the beer and stay at the top.
although this can damage the rubber band I would rather replace it than risk spoiling the beer.
it might be worth getting a spare first though as the only explanation I can think of is that the PRV is not working and letting out the gas you put in and then sealing as the temperature cools creating a partial vacume
not sure why this is happening but rather than opening the tap and bubling air through the beer can you get at the PRV on the keg?
usualy you can displace the rubber band slightly with a finger and gas will rush out (or in, in your case) if there is pressure in the barrel you can smell the gas escaping and if it is under pressure then at least the air will be entering above the beer and stay at the top.
although this can damage the rubber band I would rather replace it than risk spoiling the beer.
it might be worth getting a spare first though as the only explanation I can think of is that the PRV is not working and letting out the gas you put in and then sealing as the temperature cools creating a partial vacume
-
frederick
Hi there... many thanks for the replies BUT I think the first idea is the best .... that is that the beer is absorbing the CO2 because otherwise why would there be a lower pressure in the barrel than atmospheric. This is proven that air wishes to rush INTO the barrel and not out. If there was a leak the pressure inside the barrel would be the same as outside... or am I incorrect.
As this is my very first attempt I am really out of my depth here and I do appreciate any help or advice.
Take care.... Frederick
As this is my very first attempt I am really out of my depth here and I do appreciate any help or advice.
Take care.... Frederick
-
MightyMouth
-
opentoideas
The beer absorbing the CO2 is by far the most likely 
I only suggest the PRV as its usualy just a rubber band covering a hole. if it is slightly loose it wont hold pressure but a negative pressure would seal it in place.
I think in your last thread you said that when you charged the keg you were loosing some of the gas through the PRV but not sure if I was remembering correctly.
if as DaaB suggests you charge the keg and check it through the day you should know for sure - if it looses the charge in an hour or 2 you most likely have a leak. unless the beer is very cold and being shaken up it shouldn't absorb CO2 that quickly
I only suggest the PRV as its usualy just a rubber band covering a hole. if it is slightly loose it wont hold pressure but a negative pressure would seal it in place.
I think in your last thread you said that when you charged the keg you were loosing some of the gas through the PRV but not sure if I was remembering correctly.
if as DaaB suggests you charge the keg and check it through the day you should know for sure - if it looses the charge in an hour or 2 you most likely have a leak. unless the beer is very cold and being shaken up it shouldn't absorb CO2 that quickly
-
frederick
Hi all... I have been having a think and I have come to the conclusion that most of the gas is being absorbed by the beer and as there is a very large volume of space above the beer and the CO2 cylinders are the very small type the amount of gas I am injecting is very small indeed and this is why I am having to inject so often. I do not think I can burst the barrel so I will just keep going till I achieve equilibrium... ie.. when the beer comes out "gassy".
On the other hand if you see a King Keg in orbit with me on the end give me a wave !!!!
Many thanks all.... Frederick
On the other hand if you see a King Keg in orbit with me on the end give me a wave !!!!
Many thanks all.... Frederick
-
frederick
-
opentoideas
dare I suggest a cornie? 
initialy they will cost a bit more when you add a tap and gas supply but in the long run once you have the tap and gas you can add capacity by just buying more cornies (which on their own are cheaper than a KK)
the only problem is you can soon end up with an addiction for shiny things
they wont suit everyone but I am very impressed with them so far
initialy they will cost a bit more when you add a tap and gas supply but in the long run once you have the tap and gas you can add capacity by just buying more cornies (which on their own are cheaper than a KK)
the only problem is you can soon end up with an addiction for shiny things
they wont suit everyone but I am very impressed with them so far
-
frederick
-
opentoideas
Norm is a great place to start. I have just had 4 cornies a tap and pub gas regulator from him.
all the kegs were clean, polished and with new seals. I have yet to find a problem with them.
he sells the kegs at £30 as standard £55 with one of his taps (which are nice) or every so often he will do a deal for 2-3 for £60 (seconds with a few dings) all of his kegs come with the disconnects
a cheaper option for a tap is
bottom of this page
there are disadvantages though - they are only 20L so dont quite fit a full 40 pint brew - you can either bottle the extra or adjust the brew sise
the WW gas system is a great little kit but if you can find a supplier of pub style CO2 localy its not much more to get that and a cheap regulator which will work out cheaper in the long run.
it can end up as a bit of an initial outlay
but in comparison for 4 cornies, a gas cylinder, regulator, and all fittings I ended up paying just under £200 and I could have saved about £30 on the regulator. barrel for barrel thats about the same as a KK
one of the nicest things I have found other than the ease of use is the ease of hiding them away. I used beerspheres and could never find anywhere to put them(and was on my knees to pour a pint) as the cornies are only 9" diameter they can be tucked away and the tap put wherever you like.
all the kegs were clean, polished and with new seals. I have yet to find a problem with them.
he sells the kegs at £30 as standard £55 with one of his taps (which are nice) or every so often he will do a deal for 2-3 for £60 (seconds with a few dings) all of his kegs come with the disconnects
a cheaper option for a tap is
bottom of this page
there are disadvantages though - they are only 20L so dont quite fit a full 40 pint brew - you can either bottle the extra or adjust the brew sise
the WW gas system is a great little kit but if you can find a supplier of pub style CO2 localy its not much more to get that and a cheap regulator which will work out cheaper in the long run.
it can end up as a bit of an initial outlay
but in comparison for 4 cornies, a gas cylinder, regulator, and all fittings I ended up paying just under £200 and I could have saved about £30 on the regulator. barrel for barrel thats about the same as a KKone of the nicest things I have found other than the ease of use is the ease of hiding them away. I used beerspheres and could never find anywhere to put them(and was on my knees to pour a pint) as the cornies are only 9" diameter they can be tucked away and the tap put wherever you like.