When it comes to gas pressure regulation in the draft beer system, it is important to understand how to choose the CO2 tank regulator suitable for your equipment.
In this article we will examine the differences between primary and secondary regulators, studying the features of their work.
Primary Gas Regulators for Beer Brewing
Primary regulators are important components of the brewing process. They control the gas flow to create ideal conditions for fermentation and carbonization.
A CO2 tank regulator is used to regulate the pressure of carbon dioxide at the outlet of the cylinder.
In practice, this is as follows:
- The device extracts high-pressure gas from the CO2 cylinder and reduces it to a pressure suitable for the brewing process.
- This gas is then used to carbonate the beer or pressure it to pour from the keg.
By maintaining constant pressure, the primary regulator helps to achieve a constant level of carbonation and prevents excessive or insufficient carbonization of the beer. If the pressure is low, the beer will become too foamy. Conversely: too high pressure leads to over-pressurized foamy beer.
The optimal value for carbon dioxide is 10-12 pounds per square inch.
To adjust it, you need:
- Remove the lid: There is an adjustment screw and dial with all the indicators under it.
- To reduce the pressure, turn the screw counterclockwise.
- To increase, turn the screw clockwise.
Everything is ready!
Usually, the primary regulator comes with one or two pressure meters.
The single gauge device monitors the pressure during the dispensing process. In turn, two-gauge models measure the pressure while dispensing as well as show the amount of gas left in the cylinder.
Secondary Gas Regulators for Beer Brewing
Unlike primary regulators, secondary regulators are not directly connected to the carbon dioxide tank. They are attached after the primary regulator and are designed to allow brewers to dispense several kegs (usually up to four barrels) at different pressures.
In practice, this is as follows: the secondary gas regulator reduces the pressure after the primary one, after which it serves each separate beer keg.
This is true for those breweries producing beer with different levels of carbonization.
There are different types of secondary regulator depending on:
- Product quantities: There are models that allow you to service from 1 to 5 products.
- Connection types: Barb-plug, Barb-barb, and Plug-barb.
- Number of sensors: one or two gauges.
- Pressure: You can purchase an additional regulator (distribution bar) to dispense from multiple barrels at the same pressure.
What Beer Gas Regulator Do I Need?
It is also worth mentioning that in addition to the standard CO2 tank regulator with a pressure of 10-12 pounds per square inch, you may also need:
- Nitrogen beer regulator, which is necessary for stout and ale dispensing. The model is designed to control the gas pressure within a range of 30-40 pounds per square inch.
- A model with an adapter to allow switching between CO2 and nitrogen.
If you are unsure what type of device is better for your needs, please contact the Beverage Craft company beveragecraft.com.
This brand is popular among brewers. It specializes in beer equipment and the brand representatives can advise you how to select the missing components for the successful operation of your draft beer system.
In addition to the regulator, you can buy accessories for it: rod, adjustment screw, low and high-pressure gauges, shut-off valve, etc.
We are sure that now your beer production will become exactly as you always imagined it!
