I just bought a kegerator. I hooked up the Co2 tank to the keg right when i got home from the liquor store.?

Question

The beer was really foamy and i have heard a bunch of different reasons as to why. I needed to let the beer settle, the pressure is too high or too low( i had it at 10psi), the lines are dirty, and also i didnt press a pressure relief button on my keg ( i dont know what that is) what do you think? i also wanted to know how far should i turn the nozzle on top of the Co2 tank, whether to turn it off completely when not drinking from the keg or leave it on constantly, and what the little red valve switch is and whether it should be opened or closed. Please help me as i am a beginner when it comes to kegerating. any other advice on the kegerator would be great also. thank you

Answer 1

You have many things to choose from which any one of combination could be right. You will need to try each one to figure it out.

# If you made homebrew it may have been over carbonated. In such a case I would dispense your beer without any outside pressur. That is just pour with no CO2 input to your keg. After awile the pressure will equalize and you can again use the CO2 tank.

Answer 2

Sorry but you gotta ask the people who you bought it from. If it is dirty, then take it back. You'll make urself sick.

Answer 3

First don't listen to anyone else who has posted an answer prior to me...  10 psi is to low if  you leave it there your keg will be flat in 2 weeks.  Now for your problems:

You should let your keg sit for at least 2hours preferably 1 day.  

Your c02 should be set between 12-14 depending on they type of beer you have.  

Your lines, faucet and coupler should be clean before installing each keg of beer.  

You should turn the c02 tank the whole way on and leave it on there is no reason to turn it off when not drinking.  

The little red valve on the c02 tank should be open this is what lets the c02 to go the keg.  You should turn this off when changing kegs.  

Your problem is probably to high of temp.  Get a liquid thremeometer ( I use a digital one made for fishtanks)  Put a glass of water into the kegerator and put the thrememoter in it.  Let it sit for 2hours and check the temp... This is the temp of your beer.  You want your beer to be between 36-38 degrees.  

If you have anymore questions I suggest you go to www.micromatic.com their forums have the answers to any questions you might have and if you can't find what you are looking for, just ask someone will be more than happy to help you.

Answer 4

Pick up a refrigerator thermometer. Even though the kegerator has a digital read out it could varry 5-10 degrees. It sounds like the beer is to warm and that you did not let the keg settle down. The keg should sit in your kegerator for at least two day prior to tapping. This allows it to settle down and adjust to the temp in your kegerator. Dispencing beer should be anywhere from 5-9psi. Once you connect the tank (make sure the faucet is closed otherwise you will immediately begin to lose the golden necter) to the keg and you are sure all your connections have no leaks you can leave the tank on. As for the lines if they are new you should clean them anyway with line cleaner. DO NOT use household soap or bleach this will contribute to off flavors and diminish the head retention. If you don't want to buy line cleaner get a bottle of B-T-F (iodophor sanitizer) at a restraunt supply store or home brewing supply store. You should clean your lines every two weeks for best taste. When dispensing the beer open the tap all the way tilt glass so beer falls on wall of the glass and after 3/4 fill beging tilting the glass back to upright position slowly. Stop when full. Raise glass to lips and enjoy

Answer 5

10 psi is too high.  Bring it down to six.

If the beer is warm, let it cool down.

The pressure release valve is located at the base of the keg fitting.  It's either a small ring or pull tab at the fitting base.

Pouring a beer with the tap half opened will also create foam.