Kegerator problem with foam

Discussion in 'Home Bar' started by csice, Dec 29, 2015.

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  1. csice

    csice Initiate (0) Sep 14, 2012

    I just got an Nostalgia kegerator for Christmas and I have a major foam problem even after having many glasses over many days. I have the temp set as low as it will go; I am not sure what the temps are yet, I need a liquid thermometer. The pressure is set at 10 psi. I have noticed it seems to make some slightly odd sounds. I have read around and it seems like there are quite a number of possible problems. I took a video anyway and though I would ask for suggestions and if anything might stick out in the video.


    P.S. I realize I should tilt the glass, but I only had one hand free for this video.
     
    #1 csice, Dec 29, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 29, 2015
  2. DougC123

    DougC123 Savant (1,186) Aug 21, 2012 Connecticut

    You need to know the beer temperature before you can go at this properly. Until you know that, it is all guessing. Are you opening the handle all the way? It didn't look like a quick full pull when you started to pour, it looked like a slow not all the way open pull. If you aren't opening it quickly and all the way you are making foam right out of the gate, and if you pour foam on foam, you get more foam.
     
  3. zero_signal

    zero_signal Initiate (0) Aug 8, 2013 New Jersey

    Knowing that you have a nostalgia unit, that means your probably pouring mid 40s. Which means you need pressure up around 14-15Lbs PSI.Which means your gonna need to swap out beer line to a 10ft beer line to slow the flow..But as Doug said you need to know accurate beer temps before dialing in exactly.
     
  4. IceAce

    IceAce Pooh-Bah (2,274) Jan 8, 2004 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Adding on to what zero said, if you look where the beer line comes out of the coupler you will see that there appear to be CO² bubbles breaking out of solution, thereby indicating that your pressure is set a little too low. Ideally, the line should be beer only with no gas pockets. (We call such a line "packed")

    It's entirely possible to balance your system without knowing the temperature:

    1.) Bump your regulator up about ¼-½# by turning the adjusting knob ⅛ of a turn clockwise.

    2.) Wait 10 minutes

    3.) Pour 4 oz. of beer by opening the faucet completely

    4.) Put glass of foam inside keg box

    5.) Observe beer line at coupler...look for bubbles breaking out of solution. They will become increasingly smaller and slower to break out as you continue to perform this operation.

    6.) If you see bubbles, repeat Step #1. It's critical that you only turn the adjustment knob ⅛ turn (clockwise)

    7.) Close door and wait 10 minutes.

    8.) Open door and drink the beer which was foam earlier (waste not...want not)

    9.) Pour 4 oz. of beer by opening the faucet completely

    10.) Continue this process until your line is packed and no bubbles appear in the beer line exiting the coupler

    11.) Once no bubbles appear, turn the regulator up one more ⅛ turn.

    12.) Mark your regulator with a Sharpie® to indicate an initial balance point in case a friend, family member or pet moves the adjustment knob in an attempt to help you out. There is usually a locknut to assist with this. tighten it up.

    13.) Report back to this forum when you are pouring clear beer with a 1" collar of foam

    14.) Enjoy a bright future with draught beer at your disposal!
     
  5. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    i was curious about #4, then read #8. and you are right.
    Cheers.
     
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  6. DougC123

    DougC123 Savant (1,186) Aug 21, 2012 Connecticut

    Opening the door on a Nostalgia is going to be a killer. They can barely keep cool with the door closed.
     
    zero_signal likes this.
  7. csice

    csice Initiate (0) Sep 14, 2012

    Thanks a lot for all the advice thus far, I was feeling a bit helpless since I'm not very knowledgeable about this sort of thing. I noticed the psi had dropped quite a bit after I moved the kegerator so I am trying to do as suggested and get it back up to about 12.

    Is Nostalgia not a very good brand? My parents bought it for me so I don't know. Anything I can do to improve performance? Was going to start looking at tower coolers or whatever for it, any suggestions on those or anything else? I hope to be getting a new keg of Lagunitas soon, with no foam hopefully.
     
  8. csice

    csice Initiate (0) Sep 14, 2012

    So I am still having the same issue. Is that whiny gurgling sound normal? Last night I had a very hard time pulling the tap open, the tap had a lot of resistance. I had this happen once before and then the following day it was back to normal. Any further suggestions?
     
  9. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    if by tap you mean faucet, the thing that beer comes out of, sticky faucets are not uncommon. they stick if not excercised regularly, so drink more often. or clean frequently. what you want is a forward seal faucet. the perlick perl is your answer. chrome is fine, but stainless is better. you already have a faucet wrench so change over is easy. you do have a faucet wrench right?

    a tap, properly named, is the coupler. you tap a keg with the coupler. or an actual piece of wood with a mallet. tap. that is a common mix up and has become virtually synonymous but for the draft world it helps to differentiate and it makes you sound smart too.

    you must be sure of the temp of the first beer poured into the glass. it must be within a degree or two of the interior of the box. a tower fan will help quite a bit, but if you keg beer is 45 and your tower beer is 47 that's not a solution.

    let us know.

    Cheers.

    edit.
    no, a whiny gurgling sound is not normal. I've seen it in the movies though. I can comment further and possibly get a temporary ban but I'm not going to do that. not normal for draft beer.
     
  10. IceAce

    IceAce Pooh-Bah (2,274) Jan 8, 2004 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Did you perform all of the steps in Post #4?

    We understand your frustration...but the solution has been typed out very neatly for you.

    Please perform that operation and then report back. If the problem persists, video of said gurgling action would be helpful.

    Keep the faith!
     
  11. csice

    csice Initiate (0) Sep 14, 2012

    Went through the steps. After multiple 1/8 turns, there were no more bubbles at aroun 12-13 psi, which is what I had set it at, but it doesn't seem like it is holding the pressure. The psi was down to like 5 when I started; I will see if it stays at 12 tomorrow. However, I still had plenty of foam.
     
  12. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    expect all adjustments to take a day or so to have an effect. the additional CO2 gas does not dissolve into the beer immediately.

    you are on your way.
    we really do need to know temperature as well.
    Cheers.
     
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  13. ravensjeff

    ravensjeff Initiate (0) Sep 27, 2013 Maryland

    Hmm, if he is good at 12-13 psi, then maybe the temp isn't that bad. May not need to have longer beer line.
     
  14. csice

    csice Initiate (0) Sep 14, 2012

    It doesn't seem to have subsided after a few days. I do try to pour a few glasses to make sure it isn't just the tower being warmer. I just can't seem to figure it out. It doesn't help that my technical/mechanical knowledge is nearly a zero, but I am learning decent amount in my research. I'm not really sure what the length of the beer line is actually, I will have to measure it. Also, I will try to get my hands on a thermometer for liquid.
     
  15. Jason_R21-PA

    Jason_R21-PA Initiate (0) Jan 17, 2016 Pennsylvania

    I am bringing this thread back to life as I have just received for christmas a Nostalgia Kegerator. I have my kegerator in my garage in PA if that matters. I just bought a liquid thermometer as well as a fridge thermometer as well to test both. My most recent foam pour was about 37 degrees Farenheit. So, I'm not sure if the temp is my problem. I also bought a 10' tube in case I need to change that as well.

    My issue is pressure. When I have i at 12 PSI as I see everyone reccomends as a good starting point, I dont get any thing from the keg when I pull the handle. So I have increased to close to 18-20 PSI and now I just get foam?

    What can I do to fix this, I am very frustrated waiting to indulge after a hard days work.

    Thanks,
     
  16. csice

    csice Initiate (0) Sep 14, 2012

    Sorry to keep abandoning then bumping this thread, I have been very busy. I am still getting a thermometer to check on the temps. I am also gonna get a Perlick faucet to help with the faucet sticking. My question in the meantime is what your recommendations, if any, are for a tower cooler. I know you can make your own, but I'm not too keen on messing with it. So do you guys have any suggestions?
     
  17. DougC123

    DougC123 Savant (1,186) Aug 21, 2012 Connecticut

    Never seen one other than on eBay.
     
  18. ravensjeff

    ravensjeff Initiate (0) Sep 27, 2013 Maryland

    Sounds like you have a crappy regulator or a loose connection. If you are not dumping/losing alot of your CO2 due to a loose connection, my guess would be the regulator.

    Can't answer csice on tower cooler; mine came with one so I never had to look into it.
     
  19. IceAce

    IceAce Pooh-Bah (2,274) Jan 8, 2004 California
    Pooh-Bah

    http://bfy.tw/3zR3
     
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  20. DougC123

    DougC123 Savant (1,186) Aug 21, 2012 Connecticut

    Well done IA.
     
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