Keg issues. Sputtering/Choking foam

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by theoceantakesme, Feb 25, 2016.

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  1. theoceantakesme

    theoceantakesme Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2013 New Hampshire

    Hey guys, Ive been homebrewing for a couple years now. My buddy and I just started kegging our beers. This is actually our second attempt. We force carbed the keg at 30 PSI for about 5-8 minutes, rolling it back and forth. We unhooked the CO2 and let it sit for 4 Days. I reattached the CO2 tank and put the pressure to 5-7 PSI to get a small sample and it poured fine and the carbonation on it was right where I wanted it. So I unhooked the dispenser from the keg.

    Half hour later I hooked up the dispenser and was going to fill a small 12oz Flip top growler to bring home. But when I started to try and dispense the beer, it started to choke up or sputter up foam through the dispensing line and the keg was gurgling pretty aggressively. I tried relieving the pressure and turning it down and to dispense and it did the same thing. I waited a couple hours and tried it again and its still doing the same thing. Not sure whats causing it or how to correct it. The keg is a 5 Gallon Ball lock keg from Corny Keg. Any suggestions would be great.

    Cheers!
     
    #1 theoceantakesme, Feb 25, 2016
  2. CurtFromHershey

    CurtFromHershey Initiate (0) Oct 4, 2012 Minnesota

    Is the gas line attached to the side with or without the dip tube?
     
    #2 CurtFromHershey, Feb 25, 2016
  3. theoceantakesme

    theoceantakesme Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2013 New Hampshire

    Im Pretty sure Its on the side without the dip tube. I tried swapping them to make sure and beer started going back up the line heading towards the regulator.
     
    #3 theoceantakesme, Feb 25, 2016
  4. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    Make sure the dispensing line quick connect is actually attached all the way. If it is only compressed part of the way there will be air pick up at the post connection. Make sure the QD is completly connected. Why are you disconnecting your dispensing lines between pours?
     
    #4 jbakajust1, Feb 25, 2016
    billandsuz likes this.
  5. theoceantakesme

    theoceantakesme Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2013 New Hampshire

    Ill have to double check. I made sure the QD was all the way down. Ill probably give it a shot today. The only reason I disconnected it, cause I'm bottling from the keg with a beergun. I dont have a draft set up. Our kegging setup came with one of those small cheap plastic dispensers.
     
    #5 theoceantakesme, Feb 25, 2016
  6. billandsuz

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

    A few things to check

    Keg is cold, 38F.
    Pressure is between 8 and 12 psi or so.
    Regulator is working properly and gauge is not broken.
    Gas on IN
    Beer on OUT

    The most likely cause, if I had to guess, is the faucet or tube is jammed up. Open the works, make sure there is no gunk in there. Do the same with the dip tube. Rinse the tubing and the faucet parts. The fact you got clear beer initially is unusual, but still you should be sure your dip tube isn't full of junk.

    Cheers.
     
    #6 billandsuz, Feb 25, 2016
  7. theoceantakesme

    theoceantakesme Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2013 New Hampshire

    Yeah the beer is at 38 pressure was at 8. I tried it again this morning and it did the same thing. So I decided to try swapping side, I had it hooked up wrong. Im new to kegging. I should have thought more about it. It was forcing CO2 down the dip tube and bubbling from the bottom up. I dont know how I was able to get an initial draw from the wrong side with no dip tube. But everything is working and pouring fine now. Thanks for all the suggestions.
     
    #7 theoceantakesme, Feb 25, 2016
  8. DunkelFester

    DunkelFester Zealot (607) Aug 24, 2004 Pennsylvania

    Glad to hear it's fixed, but those connections shouldn't be that easy to 'swap' in the first place. Yes, you can force a gas ball lock connector (gray) onto the beer side and vice versa - but they don't go on easily. Also, they're almost ALWAYS labeled (at least on side) with 'IN' and/or 'OUT'. As you found out, it's kind of important that you don't mix them up.
     
    #8 DunkelFester, Feb 25, 2016
  9. theoceantakesme

    theoceantakesme Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2013 New Hampshire

    They definitely went on and off really hard. It wasnt easy. One of them was particularly really hard to go on. I should have known from the beginning, but like I said this is only my second time using the keg, So Im still learning what to do and not do. Mine arent labeled (unless Im not seeing it anywhere) Its a used Pepsi keg from Corny. I now know which are which but Im going to label them.
     
    #9 theoceantakesme, Feb 25, 2016
  10. billandsuz

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

    Everyone does it at some point and hopefully only once. That point should involve many beers.

    If the QD doesn't fit, don't force it. Lesson learned. Good news though.

    It can be hard to see but the rubber rim should have IN and OUT stamped. You may also see a hump at the bottom of the keg, depending on style. If the dip tube is straight it will run to the bottom of the keg and the OUT is the side that has a bit of a notch out at the bottom. Otherwise the dip tube is bent and goes to the center in which case you can't tell.
     
    #10 billandsuz, Feb 25, 2016
  11. theoceantakesme

    theoceantakesme Initiate (0) Dec 28, 2013 New Hampshire

    Good to know. Ill definitely check that out so I know for the next beer. Thanks again for all the info, I really appreciate it.
     
    #11 theoceantakesme, Feb 25, 2016
  12. chavinparty

    chavinparty Zealot (653) Jan 4, 2015 New Hampshire

    Also a useful teqhnique for degassing over carbed beer in a hurry
     
    #12 chavinparty, Feb 25, 2016
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