Kegerator problem with foam

The official looking tower coolers are built into the expensive kegerators, hence no need to sell official ones to the masses. The ones available are really just the result of nerds who made their own and perfected the process to the point they were saleable.

 

csice...you may think that a few of us have been unduly harsh, but you have been given tools via this thread to help you solve your problems. I took 20 minutes out of my day on post #4 and that should have solved this issue, yet we've never had an accurate report back as to exactly what is happening.

You, my friend, started this thread over one month ago...and still have not taken the time to grab a thermometer (which is available at every grocery store you've been in for the last 30 days).

I'm really not trying to be mean...but in order for us to assist you, you either need to fish or cut bait. I've been doing this for a living for 24 years and somehow you've managed to convince me that I care more about this issue than you.

OK, that being said, here is your checklist.

1.) Get a thermometer and put it in a glass of water in the back of your keg box. Please report the temperature after it has been in there for 24 hours.

2.) Report back the current pressure of the system and whether or not there are any bubbles in your beer line directly above the coupler.


Together we can whip this thing...you just need to help us to help you.

 

you should understand that we also get frustrated. you mentioned that you have a Nostalgia kegerator and it does not work. don't feel special, everyone that has this brand has issues and our frustration is directed at the jerks who made it as well as the assholes who sell them. they are the ones that defile our beloved draft beer. it's not you.
be patient. you'll fix it, eventually. stick around. until it is fixed there is going to be some well intention-ed ribbing. we like to have fun too you know.

the thing about getting a good pour is we need to know all the data because it is inter dependent. you might not think you have a temperature issue (you do), but even 2 degrees variable can have an effect on the possible solution. we absolutely need an accurate temperature from a quality thermometer. (there are multiple threads discussing which thermometer to use. it is that important).

adjusting your kegerator is going to involve patience and a sense of humor.
you will be very happy when you start to get the perfect pour and trust me, not too much cooler than getting home after work, pouring your own favorite keg beer, enjoying a well presented pint. it is corny but hell it's the truth!

lastly, all of us helping out are pouring perfect beer, every time. so consider that.


Cheers.

 

You are making me thirsty and it is only quarter to 10.

 

i don't quite understand. is your kegerator broken? empty keg?

 

Classic. It's not even 9:30am and Bill has already nailed 'line of the day'.

 

Had to wait until 4:00 to solve the problem. The keg of Captain Lawrence IPA was calling to me all day. Thank goodness it can't text me. You get that up your way Bill? No chance of it for you IA.

 

Actually I've had quite a few of Scottie Vaccaro's beers. A very good friend (and former BA) and I used to overnight refrigerated growlers from our favorite local brewers.

Here is my 2007 review of CL Pleasantville Smoked Porter: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/12959/28296/?ba=IceAce

 

that is one problem to solve.

you can be sure the beer in the line leading to the faucet is warmer than 45. you can't pour 45 degree beer without a lot of foam. the gas is absorbed nicely at 39 degrees and comes out of solution at 45 degrees.
the beer is coming from the very bottom of the keg. that is where the "spear", a giant stainless steel straw inside the keg picks up the beer. the tower fan will blow cold air from the bottom of the box up to the line and faucet. well, it's supposed to. you will probably have to seal the tower a bit as well, because that Nostalgia tower is going to leak like a sieve. you will be blowing cold air into your room and the compressor will never keep up.

so get yourself a tower cooler. you must have a tower cooler. you must pour consistent 38 degree beer. ok, 40. maybe. but I don't even like that.

then we can work on applied pressure and line length.
Cheers.

 

On the Google link provided above in Post #19, link #5 from the top will tell you everything you need to know.

 

The temperature needs to be consistent from the bottom of the keg to the faucet. The tower cooler will help this because between the air returning from the shanks and the air being drawn in at the bottom of the cold plate you will cause some circulation. Think of what happens when you pour from a warm bottle of soda into a cup of ice .... foam. Inconsistent temperatures cause the release of the CO2. Pour cold soda onto ice and you get a nice fizzy drink. If you can't get a thermometer, I can't see you getting a cooler built yourself. Spend the $30 online and while you are at it put a thermometer in the cart. Is your thermostat maxed out, i.e. as cold as it can get?

 

I recently built a tower cooler myself there are some parts you will have to get at a home improvement store and the remaining parts I got from Amazon. You will need at least a drill, some drill bits and a hole saw bit.

 

On another forum a Nostalgia owner I was trying to help finally wound up replacing his shanks and we solved the foaming.