I just recently started using a new micromatic dual gauge regulator and today when I hooked up a keg I opened the co2 line valve before opening the co2 cannister and a small amount of beer came out up by the regulator. I quickly fixed the issue but my question is will this one episode have a detrimental effect on my new regulator??? I know this may not be the right forum for the question but I feel the homebrew section tends to have some better info on kegging and parts etc compared to general forums. Thanks in advance.
You can damage a regulator this way if it doesn't have a check valve to prevent it. Also, by any chance, is your keg filled above the level of the bottom of the gas in tube?
The keg I put in is actually a commercial keg,, I just found that since I started homebrewing that this forum seems much more informed on info of this nature. I dont believe the regulator has a check valve.This is the regulator http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/regulators-pid-642.html
I think you are right. No check valve standard on the micromatic, though it is otherwise an excellent regulator. I'm not too familiar with commercial keg innards, so I don't know if the gas in dip tube issue even applies there.
Thanks for the input ,, so is it safe to assume that opening the valve while the co2 cannister was closed is what caused this so I can avoid it in the future?
Yes, you want positive pressure (and/or a physical gap between the beer and the gas in line) to prevent backflow.
