Leaky Poppet Valve

tony b · Post by **tony b** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 3:56 pm

One of my 2 kegs for the Festival has developed a leak on the out-line poppet valve. It is about a drop every 2 - 3 seconds and it's leaking at the interface of the top of the valve and the keg stem.

I'm naturally carbonating the keg, so it took some time to build up pressure for the leak to show up.

I put a picnic tap on it to stop the leak. It worked. I had hoped that it would reseat the valve, in case it was just a little sticky. However, when I took off the picnic tap after a while, it geysered and I got a face full!

Quickly put the picnic tap back on and it's holding fine.

So, my question is - how's the best way to fix it (either replace the poppet valve and/or it's O-ring) without my beer going flat, since it's being naturally carbonated?

Or, do I just leave it alone and bring it to the Festival with the picnic tap on it?

Any advice is welcomed!

TappedOut · Post by **TappedOut** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 4:22 pm

I'd probably just leave it w/ the picnic tap. If you start trying to fix it w/ beer in, you'll risk oxidation. Just have to remember to release the pressure before removing the picnic tap so as not to geyser again. The only other problem I could see w/ leaving it hooked up to the picnic tap is the temptation to over-sample.

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 8:40 pm

I second that. Fix it after the beer is gone. Release pressure when you pull the tap off to pour it at the fest.

tony b · Post by **tony b** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 7:32 am

Thanks. I'll just leave it as-is.

Will fight the temptation to "over sample," but I will do a quality check at the end of this week to check on the carbonation on both beers.

Steven P · Post by **Steven P** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 1:58 pm

Three things for anyone reading this post. Not directed at you specifially Tony.

One, naturally carbonating in the keg requires considerably less priming solution that bottling does. I think it may have to do with the headspace ratios. BeerSmith provides a calculation for carbing in the Keg.

Two, get the universal replacement poppets from Joe. They are excellent and work better than trying to find the "perfect one" to match your keg post. Under $10 each I'm sure.

Three, you can gauge and release pressure using a spunding valve. (One of my favorite beer related words, spunding). It's a fitting you put on the gas out side to release pressure once a specific PSI is reached.

Here's a link to the one at MoreBeer. I don't know if Joe carries them.

http://morebeer.com/products/ball-lock- ... gauge.html

carrisr · Post by **carrisr** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 2:27 pm

I also like the phrase "leaky poppet" Brewing has so many fun terms and sayings....

On 10/02/2013 02:58 PM, Steven P wrote:

(One of my favorite beer related words, spunding)

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tony b · Post by **tony b** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 2:57 pm

Good advice, Steven.

I haven't used the Beer Smith calculator, even though I have the software. I typically just use 3/4 of the sugar that I would use if I was bottling.

Steven P · Post by **Steven P** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 3:17 pm

I think it calls for even less than that. Like 1-2 oz for a 5 gallon keg. Go to the "fermentation" tab on the recipe and choose "Carbonate in the Keg" or somthing like that. It will allow you to choose your PSI and calc the amount of priming sugar to use.

I can post a screenshot later if you want.

tony b · Post by **tony b** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 4:33 pm

Found it. I'll file it away for future reference. Probably going to over carb these kegs, but the styles push for higher carbonation levels. Folks will drink it nonetheless!