PicoBrew Z User manual

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Carbonating and Serving with your
PicoBrew Z system
What's included:
• 5 lb aluminum tank (CO2not
included)
• 2.5 Gallon Ball Lock Serving Keg
• Taprite Dual Gauge Regulator
• Gas line assembly
• Serving line assembly with party
faucet
You will need:
• Large crescent wrench or 1 1/8”
wrench (for assembly)
• Your keg of fermented beer
• Bucket or waste container
• Transfer Tube
• Keg Wand
Warnings:
• Never connect your CO2tank directly to your keg. (always use regulator)
• Always store your CO2tank in an upright position, and secure it so that it cannot
fall over.
• Always make sure that the valve on your CO2tanks is closed before removing the
regulator.
• Do not expose your CO2tank to extreme heat such as fire or leaving it inside of a
car on a hot day.
• Do not throw or drop your CO2tank.
• Close the valve on your CO2tank when not in use.
• Be sure to completely tighten your regulator to the tank using a wrench.
• Every CO2tank will be stamped on the neck with a date of a
DOT static pressure test. This date is in MM-YY format and is
good for 5 years for aluminum CO2tanks. Be sure to check
this date when exchanging or filling your tank.
• When exchanging or filling your tank, always use a new fiber or nylon washer
between the tank and your regulator when changing your tank. Most gas
suppliers will include a new fiber washer, and homebrew shops should carry these
washers.
• Make sure that you have the gray pressure relief valve in place on your keg lid
when carbonating and serving, not the red FastFermentation valve.
• CO2is a dangerous gas. If you are experiencing headaches, having trouble
breathing, or are unable to focus; close the valve on your tank immediately and
move to a well-ventilated area.

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Initial Setup:
1. Fill tank (or exchange) at your local beverage gas or welding supply store.
2. Connect Tank Fitting Nut on regulator to the CO2tank. Be sure that there is a
washer in place between the tank and regulator. Do not reuse this washer, it
should be replaced every time you change your CO2tank.
3. Turn on the flow of gas from the tank to the regulator by turning the main valve
on top of the tank counterclockwise. Keep this valve closed when not in use.
Racking:
Purging and racking using CO2helps to prevent oxidation of your beer during transfer.
Be sure to do this in an open and well-ventilated area.
1. Purge your serving keg
a. Seal your serving keg with the metal lid, making sure that the gray
pressure relief valve is in place, not the red FastFermentation valve.
b. Set your regulator to about 5 PSI.
c. Connect the gray ball lock fitting of your gas line to the IN post on your
serving keg.
d. Allow the keg to pressurize with CO2for about 20 seconds, then disconnect
the gray ball lock fitting.
e. Lift pressure relief valve on your keg lid until you no longer hear gas
escaping.
2. Sanitize your racking tube assembly and serving keg.
3. Seal your fermentation keg with the sanitized metal lid, making sure that the gray
pressure relief valve is in place.
4. Close the ball valve at the bottom of your regulator.
5. Leaving the regulator set to about 5 PSI, connect the gray ball lock fitting of your
gas line to the IN post of your fermentation keg.

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6. Connect one end of the racking hose assembly to the OUT post of your
fermentation keg and insert a keg wand into the ball lock at the other end.
7. Direct the keg wand to a bucket/waste container or sink.
8. Open your regulator’s ball valve to start the flow of liquid.
9. Once you no longer see trub (sediment) running through the line, remove the keg
wand from the end of the racking hose assembly, this will stop the flow.
10. Lift the ring of the pressure relief valve on your serving keg lid to release any
remaining pressure, then remove the keg lid.
11. Connect the end of the racking hose assembly to the OUT post on your serving
keg.
12. Allow beer to transfer from the fermentation keg to the serving keg until you see
gaps in the flow, (or until the liquid in the keg has reached the upper welded
seam if you are using a keg that is smaller than 5 gallons), then disconnect the
black ball lock fitting from the OUT post on your serving keg.
13. Disconnect the racking hose assembly from the fermentation keg, and set it aside
to be cleaned and sanitized.
14. Seal your serving keg with the metal lid, making sure that the gray pressure relief
valve is installed.
15. Disconnect the gas line’s gray ball lock fitting from the fermentation keg and
connect it to the IN post on the serving keg. Pull the ring to open the pressure
relief valve for a few seconds to make sure that any air has been purged from
within the serving keg and replaced with CO2.
16. Continue with carbonation instructions
17. Pull the ring on the lid of the fermentation keg to release pressure from within
the keg before cleaning. Clean and sanitize your keg, racking hose assembly, and
serving line immediately.

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Carbonation:
1. During the carbonation steps, you are ideally keeping the keg under refrigeration.
2. Determine at which temperature your keg will be stored during carbonation and
consult the carbonation table below to find the correct setting for your regulator.
2.5 volumes of CO2is and acceptable level of carbonation for most beer styles. To
achieve this at the temperatures of most refrigerators, you would set your
regulator to 8 - 12 PSI.
3. Allow the keg to carbonate for 3-5 days before serving.

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Serving:
1. Sanitize your serving line.
2. Set your regulator to the pressure recommended by the carbonation table.
3. Make sure that the party faucet on the serving line is closed and connect the
black ball lock fitting to the OUT post on your serving keg.
4. Pour off and discard the first pint which will contain some sediment.
5. Make sure that you are completely opening the party faucet when pouring. If you
are only opening the party faucet partially it will pour foamy.
6. Your serving keg line is the ideal length and diameter for serving your keg under
refrigeration. If you feel that your beer is pouring too fast or foamy, reduce your
regulator’s pressure slightly and temporarily vent the kegs pressure relief valve to
release excess pressure.
7. Once your keg is empty, be sure to clean and sanitize your keg and serving line
immediately.
Cleaning and Sanitizing:
• Always clean, rinse, and sanitize your keg and serving line before use.
• Wash your keg using a solution of
powdered dishwasher detergent, PBW, or a
similar product. Examine your keg for any
remaining soil before rinsing and sanitizing.
• Disassemble, clean, and sanitize the keg
post assemblies before use. Be sure to
reinstall in the correct positions on the keg.

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• Examine your keg post and dip tube O-rings when
reassembling to make sure that they are in good
condition and there are no nicks that may prevent a
good seal. A light film of keg lube (food grade lubricant)
can be applied to the O-rings when reassembling to
increase the lifespan of your O-rings.
• Sanitize your keg and line using StarSan or a similar
product. Do not use bleach.
o The serving line and racking hose assembly can
be cleaned and sanitized by inserting a Keg Wand
into the ball lock fittings.
o Lift the handle on the party faucet so that it is
locked in the open position which will allow liquid
to flow through the line. The party faucet can also
be disassembled for deep cleaning by unscrewing
the top portion.
o Allow these to soak in a sanitizer solution for at least 3 minutes, but no
longer than 5 as this can cause damage to the plastic components and
tubing.
o Drain as much liquid from the line as possible before using.
Component Details:
• CO2Tank
o Valve – Open by turning counter-clockwise. Keep valve closed when not in
use.
o DOT Static Test Stamp – MM-YY, is good for 5 years
o Tare Weight – TW X.XX lb, can be used to determine how much gas is left if
your CO2tank by weighing and subtracting this amount.
o Gas outlet – Secure regulator to the tank here.
• Regulator
o High Pressure Gauge (side) – Tank pressure, this will remain fairly steady
until the tank is near empty, then you will see a significant drop in
pressure.
o Low Pressure Gauge (top) – How much pressure is being sent to the keg
o Locking Dial – Used to adjust pressure being sent to your keg, a setting can
be locked by pushing the knob inward. Be sure to unlock before adjusting

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pressure. Increase pressure by turning clockwise, decrease pressure by
turning counter-clockwise.
o Ball Valve – Used to shut off gas to the line, also includes a check valve to
prevent backflow into the regulator
o Tank Fitting Nut – Connects the regulator to the CO2tank. Be sure that
there is a washer in place between the tank and regulator. Do not reuse
this washer, it should be replaced every time you change your CO2tank.
• Gas Line – Delivers CO2from the regulator to your keg
o Gray ball lock fitting connects to IN post on your keg.
• Product Line – Delivers beer to your glass
o Party faucet – Squeeze handle down while pointing spout into glass. Be
sure to open completely when pouring, otherwise your beer will come out
foamy.
o Black ball lock fitting – Connects to OUT post on your serving keg.
• Keg
o Keg Body
o Keg Lid – Is sealed in place with the locking
bale. The ring can be pulled to open the
pressure relief valve to release pressure from
the keg. The gray pressure relief valve should
be in place when carbonating and serving, not
the red FastFermentation valve.
o Keg Posts – IN and OUT, connect to your ball
lock fittings. Be sure to orient these correctly.
o Dip Tubes – The long should go on the OUT
location, the short should be on IN. Make sure
that the long dip tube is centered on the
bottom of the keg when assembling.
o Poppet valves – Seal the keg posts when the ball locks are not
in place. Make sure that these are assembled correctly with
the wide end of the spring pointing down and the black seal
at the topmost position.
o O-Rings – There are four different sizes of O-rings in your keg:
§ The largest O-ring seals the keg lid
§ The second largest O-rings are for the keg posts
§ The slightly smaller O-rings seal the dip-tubes
§ The smallest O-rings seal your poppet valves

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Troubleshooting:
• My beer isn’t carbonating
o Make sure that your CO2tank isn’t empty
o Make sure that your CO2tank valve is open
o Make sure that the regulator’s ball valve is open
o Make sure that the gray ball lock fitting on your gas line is correctly
connected to the keg post
o Try increasing your regulator pressure slightly
o It’s best to carbonate under refrigeration
• I think I have a leak
o Fill a spray bottle with a StarSan solution, or water with 2 drops of dish soap
o Pressurize the keg and line, and spray around all connections and fittings.
Look for any points where bubbles are being produced. This is where you
are leaking.
• My beer is overcarboanted or foamy
o Make sure that your regulator is set to the correct pressure according to
the carbonation chart
o Your keg should be refrigerated when serving
o Remove the gray ball lock fitting from your keg and close the valve on your
CO2tank
o Lift the pressure relief valve on your keg to release pressure, and allow the
keg to sit for 30 minutes
o Lift the pressure relief valve again to release any pressure that has built up
o Reconnect the gas line to your keg. Repeat if your beer is still
overcarbonated.