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Author Topic: carbonating 2 beers on a single tap system  (Read 3068 times)

Offline hang5lngbd

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carbonating 2 beers on a single tap system
« on: July 08, 2013, 01:22:12 pm »
I have a single tap system. However, I would like to be able to start the carbonation of a second keg while serving off the first one. Should I just use sugar to get the carbonation started, or do I need to split my CO2 line to prepare the keg? Is that even possible?

Advice requested.

Offline denny

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Re: carbonating 2 beers on a single tap system
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2013, 01:26:01 pm »
If it was me, I'd split the CO2 line.  AAMOF, that's what I do.  I have a 5 way manifold with an on/off valve and check valve on each output.
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Offline Jimmy K

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Re: carbonating 2 beers on a single tap system
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2013, 01:51:06 pm »
Either will work, so do what works best for your setup. I like priming sugar if I don't have room to cool the keg yet.
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cornershot

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Re: carbonating 2 beers on a single tap system
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2013, 02:08:26 pm »
If you can keep it cool just move the CO2 line from keg to keg. I do this with 5 kegs and it works fine for now. I'd love to have a manifold but right now it's dead last on my brewery upgrade wish list. But I wonder if always moving from keg to keg will wear out the disconnects and poppets prematurely?

Offline Jimmy K

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Re: carbonating 2 beers on a single tap system
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2013, 04:52:41 pm »
The o rings would suffer most and they are cheaper than a manifold

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Offline In The Sand

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Re: carbonating 2 beers on a single tap system
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2013, 06:15:07 pm »
You can split the line or switch back and forth. When I was in this situation, I would charge the newer keg with higher psi so the CO2 would have some time to dissolve before I needed to hit it again. However, I got a 3-way manifold very soon after, as I was expanding my setup rapidly. Now I also have a dual-pressure CO2 regulator and a separate line coming in for that, so I can serve at one pressure and carb at another. Good luck.
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Offline troybinso

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Re: carbonating 2 beers on a single tap system
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2013, 07:07:30 pm »
I prefer to have a manifold with shutoff valves, but all you need is this "t" plus a couple of clamps and some hose to get that second one carbonated. about $5 all told.

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/fittings-pid-SST-B2.html