Cold plate cooler Set Up and Troubleshooting
In a cold plate cooler, the beer is run through an aluminum cold plate that is covered with ice. The ice coming in contact with the plate causes the plate to become cold, which in turn causes the beer running through the plate to become cold. Periodically push the ice down on the cold plate surface as it will occasionally bridge up and lose contact with the plate.
STEPS:
1.) Connect regulator to the CO2 tank, using a CO2 washer. Slowly crank the co2 nozzle until fully in the open position. Place tank in an area where it is secure and cannot tip over.
2.) Place cooler on a level surface with faucets facing bar or dispense area. Tap the keg and draw liquid through until all water is out of the system. Continue to dispense past the foam and into the visibly clear beer is noticed.
3.) Lift cooler lid, add ice to top and bottom of cold plate. Close lid and draw beer again until the pour clears up and a pint can be poured, this may take a few minutes to chill the cold plate.
Tips and tricks
• I have tapped the keg and nothing will come out. If you placed ice in the cooler before running beer into the system then, oops you have frozen beer lines. Empty out the ice and pour hot water into the cooler and on top of the cold plate.
• I am not sure if I have CO2 or the gas is leaking out of the tank. Please make sure you have a CO2 washer in between the regulator and the tank. It is a small plastic circular piece near the size of a dime. Once the tank is on and there is no leak, take the fitting and pull the handle out and push down in the act of tapping a keg but in the open air. If you hear gas come out your tanks is on and good. If not check the valve below the regulator. It should be in a vertical position.
• The faucet is stuck and will not open Use a pitcher to pour hot water over the lever handle. The lever is what you thread the tap handle on to.
• Use a crescent wrench to make sure regulator is secure to tank.
• Have a pitcher handy to dump out beer
Cold plate cooler Set Up and Troubleshooting
In a cold plate cooler, the beer is run through an aluminum cold plate that is covered with ice. The ice coming in contact with the plate causes the plate to become cold, which in turn causes the beer running through the plate to become cold. Periodically push the ice down on the cold plate surface as it will occasionally bridge up and lose contact with the plate.