Quick Keging question...

[TimCA]

OK I have been keging since my second batch (about 3 years) but some thing I can't jet my small brain around... will this work?

If I have 5G of 40F beer and attach CO2 at say 8lbs; then build my tap line to the correct friction loss to get say a 1/2 lb at the tip, then never turn the co2 off till the keg is empty, will that work?
Will my beer over carbonate, and here is the small brain question…. WHY?

I have heard that most people turn the CO2 on and off as needed to push the beer. I do this now but some times Ill poor a beer that is near flat because I forgot to reset the CO2. What are the drawbacks to the other method?

Thanks
Tim

[johnsma22]

The only reason that I can think of as to why someone would shut off the gas between drinking sessions would be if they feared they have a CO2 leak somewhere in the system.

If that is the case they would be better served by isolating and repairing the leak. The amount of CO2 that is dissolved in solution at a given temperature and pressure is pure physics, plain and simple. If you are happy with your carbonation level at 8 psi with your beer at 40 degrees F, as long as the variables stay the same (beer temp & CO2 pressure) the carbonation level will also stay the same.

FWIW, I have no leaks in my system, I leave my CO2 turned on to all three kegs at all times, my system is balanced and I have perfect carbonation, perfect pours with no foam on all three taps, even my root beer served at 28 psi through 20' of 3/16" ID beverage tubing, and I have been using the same 10# CO2 tank for almost a year now.

John