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Author Topic: Keg beer line survey  (Read 3517 times)

Offline trapae

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Keg beer line survey
« on: July 04, 2014, 12:09:54 am »
I have had a kegerator for a couple years now and have always had a hard time with too fast a pour and foam for my desired PSI ( with the standard 5foot beer lines that came with the kegerator ).  I have read all the websites and formulas which always calculate out to about 5foot or less.  I recently found some older posts that state that those formulas are more for commercial units/bars and that most home brewers use about 10' of 3/16 tubing for their kegerator/keezer to get a good slow pour for desired PSI.  I just ordered a bunch of beer line tubing and was wondering what length most people are using?
What say you all?
« Last Edit: July 04, 2014, 08:29:57 am by trapae »
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Offline jamminbrew

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Re: Keg beer line survey
« Reply #1 on: July 04, 2014, 12:44:18 am »
I use 8' of 3/16, at 6 psi, and get great results. But I know many other brewers use differing lengths and pressures, al to great results. I guess you have to find what works for you, through experimentation.
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Offline mainebrewer

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Re: Keg beer line survey
« Reply #2 on: July 04, 2014, 04:41:00 am »
I keep my keggerator at 40 degrees, PSI at 10 and use 7' 3/16" beer lines.
Works well for me.
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Offline Slowbrew

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Re: Keg beer line survey
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2014, 06:13:20 am »
I have my temp set at 45F and my lines about 8' long.  PSI is set to 11lbs and my pours are very good.

It works well to start with long lines and cut the lines back until you find the "right" length for your system.

Paul
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Offline a10t2

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Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Keg beer line survey
« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2014, 07:38:10 am »
10 ft, 12psi here.

EDIT - Should've added, roughly 40F, but we know every style is different. I adjust slightly with each beer.
« Last Edit: July 04, 2014, 03:18:16 pm by HoosierBrew »
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Offline Upstate Dan

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Re: Keg beer line survey
« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2014, 08:19:13 am »
10 ft, 12 psi has also worked perfectly for me.

Offline duboman

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Re: Keg beer line survey
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2014, 08:30:13 am »
Chiming in at 10', 12psi @ 40oF as well!
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Offline erockrph

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Re: Keg beer line survey
« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2014, 02:20:51 pm »
Timely thread, as I'm still trying to dial in my system myself. Right now I'm having decent luck with 8 PSI, 38F, and 8 ft of line with a picnic tap.
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Offline rjharper

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Re: Keg beer line survey
« Reply #9 on: July 04, 2014, 03:01:48 pm »
3/16" x 10' x 12 psi x 38F here :)

Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: Keg beer line survey
« Reply #10 on: July 04, 2014, 04:02:05 pm »
38F 6"@12psi. I think you get more foam from first beer because tower is warm or you have micro leak in line and you got some air there.


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Offline tommymorris

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Re: Keg beer line survey
« Reply #11 on: July 04, 2014, 05:36:32 pm »
10', 37F, 10-12PSI. No problems.

PS. The type of tap and the height of tap above the keg also make a difference.


I have cobra taps. The taps are slightly above the top of the keg when I pour.


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Offline realbeerguy

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Re: Keg beer line survey
« Reply #12 on: July 04, 2014, 06:41:39 pm »
3/16" x 10' x 12 psi x 38F here :)
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Offline trapae

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Re: Keg beer line survey
« Reply #13 on: July 05, 2014, 08:13:55 am »
Looks like I will start with 10' and go from there.  I wonder why so many websites quote the formula that gives such shorter lengths.

Thanks
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Offline rjharper

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Re: Keg beer line survey
« Reply #14 on: July 05, 2014, 09:37:47 am »
Looks like I will start with 10' and go from there.  I wonder why so many websites quote the formula that gives such shorter lengths.

Thanks

For the some time it was assumed that 3/16" line had a restriction of 2 psi/ft so you'd see a 12 psi drop over 6', but in reality it's usually more like 1-1.5 psi/ft hence the longer lines.