This is the unboxing and setup of my beer dispenser together with my initial difficulties Take a look at my other video: Klarstein SKAL - changing the barrel • Klarstein SKAL - chang...
Thanks for the video... just received my HKoenig beer dispenser and it looks like it's exactly the same mechanism and design. I was glad to see you used a Budvar keg because I couldn't knock in the top valve to get the plunge in and wasted my first 5l keg... anyway.. I will try again based on your advice.
Thanks for the vid.. I've just got the skal this has probably stopped me wasting my first keg 😉. Looks like a great machine tho and looking forward to my first pint.
Hi thanks for the video. I have the same machine but I am struggeling to get perfect taste of my beer. It always tastes stale with quite low carbonic acid. I already tried several kegs and co2 cartridges. Mainly I am following the same techniques you described in your videos but there is one big difference. When I draw the beer I always set the co2 to maximum but I have seen that you only open it a little bit. My expectation was the more co2 the more the beer is carbonated but perhaps I am wrong. Do you have any experiences with this? Furthermore after cleaning the machine and all the connectors I have seen that there are two springs. One with low resistance and one with a higher resistance. It is not described in the manual where to put which one and perhaps there is something wrong. Currently the low resistance spring is placed in the connector behind the tap and the other spring with much more resistance is placed behind the co2 cartridge connector. Thanks!
Hi, I think this setup is mainly using CO2 to force the beer out. Beer will absorb CO2 and become more fizzy the longer you leave it, but 5ltrs of beer isn’t going to last long is it? Especially once you’ve opened it and let oxygen in to it. I think I’ve left a keg in for about 2 weeks which was more fizzy but taste was starting to change. Steve.
@@theframfour5674 thanks. Sounds feasible. My kegs are usually opened on Fridays and last until Sunday 😁 so you generally don‘t have any problems that it is not fizzy enough for you? Perhaps I just need to try a keg without using the dispenser to have a comparison or just try a different brand
Hi Mark I haven’t really measured it but definitely more than 2 kegs. I suppose it will depend on how carbonated you have your beer. I know once I thought it was pouring slowly so I turned the gas up to full only to realise the keg was right at its end, I’d used up a kegs worth of CO2. Lesson learned.
I have watched your video about 5 times now and you have convinved me! I havsnt used it yet as the supermarkets have run dry haha...could you recommend any distributors of 5l kegs? Great review btw mate.
hey, found this video super helpful! Looking to buy this for my dad as his Christmas present as he’s a beer lover, but as a non beer drinker myself I’m struggling to understand what kegs go in it. I see a lot online that have mechanisms to pour themselves, will these not fit? Can you buy the kegs in supermarkets? Any help would be much appreciated :)
Charlotte, I do believe some of those pre-pressurised will fit this machine but you have to use one of the other attachments that comes with it, I have never tried them so I don’t know for sure. The kegs I buy are readily available from the likes of Tesco and Morrisons. Tesco do Doom Bar, Ghost Ship and Budvar and Morrisons do Budvar. They are all just simple non pressurised kegs ( or at least they don’t have an added pressure system in them). Any local breweries also do them, do a google search in your area. Regards Steve
Hi mate, just ordered one of these instead of PerfectDraft machine (couldn't justify paying almost twice the price). I'm finding it hard to locate 5l kegs in supermarkets at the moment (I picked up a 3.2% ale in Sainsburys). I think I can order from Morrisons and Tesco online, but choice very limited. I wondered if the 5l kegs you can buy from other online beer merchants would also work? I looked at one website doing various 5l kegs and they mention that as they have the pouring dispenser on the front, no other unit is required to pour. They appear to have the bung on the top as well, so would I be correct in assuming that if I knock the bung through the top into the keg, I would still be able to attach the bar and put inside the Skal machine and pour?
Hi Colin, yes you can push through the centre and then insert the klarstein tube. I have used Lidl, Aldi, Home Bargains as well. They all work. I also re-use them for HomeBrew and they continue to work well. If you ever have a problem with the bung you also have a bung that comes with the klarstein that you can use. Regards Steve.
@@theframfour5674 Thanks Steve. Just need to keep a lookout for the kegs, as they certainly seem in short supply locally. Have tried a few Morrisons, Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Home Bargains and Aldi as well, but no luck so far, other than the 3.2% ale that I found in Sainsburys. Looks like I need to order in at the moment. Machine is scheduled to arrive at some point today. Thanks again!
Informative video thanks. Ordered one of these and should be here within a few days. What size are the co2 refills and where can you pick them up from online. The unthreaded seem less readily available at the moment
Hi mate, I just got one of these and when I twist the co2 it makes a massive oosh noise and can feel the co2 on my hand. Do you have any idea why this is happening? I think because of this the pints are pouring very well. Just went through 3 canisters trying to sort this so had to order some more. Cheers
Hi Andy, it shouldn’t be doing that and a gas canister should last at least 2 kegs depending on use. It sounds like the cartridge isn’t properly engaging in the rubber seal by the piercing pin. Regards Steve.
Theframfour hi mate, thanks for quick reply. Was following the instructions but didn’t say anything about plastic seal. Got the 5 wee black circles, should they go on top of the piercing pin to stop the air escaping? Cheers Andh
Andy, when you look at the piercing pin you should see a black seal embedded around it. It’s quite small but thick if it slips out when removing a spent cartridge you should manipulate it back in position.
Thanks Kenneth. I think it has been a good buy, I would definitely recommend it. I’ve tried it now with locally brewed ales and the CO2 keeps the beer fresh for at least 3 days and it probably would be longer. There’s 4 of us in the house because of Covid so a keg doesn’t last too long. It is best with the lagers though and it’s great having a glass that you can just top up with fresh cold beer as you fancy it. It is a lovely piece of furniture as well.
Hello I have read the troubleshooting guide as beer is not dispensing from the machine I have co2 hooked up and it’s connected etc but the switch to turn in from negative to plus isn’t moving at all. I have tried ringing customer service but can not get though so thought this way might be quicker. Any ideas please?
Kate Chandler sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I had a look at mine and can’t see why the knob wouldn’t rotate. They haven’t assembled it incorrectly I suppose? Would the knob lift off and if so is there a spindle to try and turn. Sorry I’m only guessing.
Andrew Corden yes the supermarkets do them as do Iceland and either Lidl or Aldi I can never remember. However everywhere is sold out and supplies are scarce. Local microbreweries are producing 5lt kegs but that’s about all at this time. I think Covid must be affecting the supply chain but I don’t know how. Cheers Steve
Hi Ross, yes it does keep it well chilled, when I started I put chilled water in it and the first keg was also pre-chilled and it was pretty quick in getting it down to the 4c I’d set. A few kegs later I tried it with a room temp local brew and it temp reading was about 12c I’d guess around an hour to cool down to 6c I’d set for that one, but it also keeps it fresh because of the CO2. I’m now trying my own HomeBrew and waiting for it to mature and try.
@@theframfour5674 I currently use the party star mini keg tap which uses the little co2 bulbs, but with the tap on the keg is too big to keep in the fridge. Your review has definitely got me more interested in getting the skal. Great review btw, very helpful.
Hi what's the best way to use the co2? Not long had one and seem to be using 2 co2 cartridges for every keg. Do you turn it on every time you pour a pint or is there a more efficient way to save the co2? Mine doesn't seem to pour unless knob is turned at least half way and start to hear it hissing. Thanks for any help!
Graeme McMillan it shouldn’t be using that much gas. I do have it turned off and only re-pressurise as it’s needed. So I pressurise the keg at the start and then top up the keg as I draw off a glass and turn the gas off in between pourings. I don’t lose any gas other than when pouring. Sounds like you got a seal issue somewhere.
Hi Ryan, so I make sure the keg and the Skal is chilled, draw off a good bit of beer, maybe a quarter of a pint, from the keg before putting it in the Skal. Once installed I turn the gas on and listen to it fill the keg and then I turn the gas off. Then I judge how much gas to use as I pour. Usually I turn the gas on just a little for each pour. Could foam be caused by disturbance of the keg as it is installed or maybe a warm keg? Cheers Steve.
@@theframfour5674 I used the keg then left it over night so I don't think a disturbance in the keg was an issue, I'm starting to think it wasn't cold enough now you mention it because I for got to put water in it 🙈 but it does say it works without but not it's full potential, when I was using it I left this gas on, I will try do it how you have mentioned, thanks for the advice, much appreciated. 👍🏼
What did you use to knock the bottom in when trying to get into the barrel? I've got the same keg as you and just bought this same product but can't get into the keg. So close!
Hi, so I don’t do anything at the bottom of the keg. You pull out the air bung at the top of the keg and use a wooden spoon handle to knock the plastic retainer, that was holding the air bung, into the keg. The only thing here to remember is your keg will probably pour froth out under pressure unless you’ve drawn some off before you start. Hope that helps. Regards Steve.
Hi Denise is the draining “flap” fully closed. You are able to drain the water out to stop it getting old and dirty but if it’s slightly open the water will flow straight through.
Tom Muldowney There was CO2 escaping from the fittings so I tightened the plastic nuts and at the same time I hadn’t engaged the draw pipe fully into the keg. Once I did those two things it worked a treat. I have now used it for about 10 kegs and each time use the bung that comes with the keg, I don’t need to use the ones that came with the Klarstein. I did once have the sealing ring around the piercing pin for the cartridge come out but you simply use an empty cartridge to push it back. Hope that helps. Steve
@@theframfour5674 thanks. Did you have you replace the CO2 when it failed the first time? I've been through 5 canisters in the past day trying to get mine to connect, but every time nothing come out of the tap.
Tom Muldowney yes I had to replace the cartridge. Once they are pierced and the dial is turned on the gas is in the system so if there’s a leak somewhere you’ll lose all your CO2 in no time. The gas is pretty cold as it escapes and frosting can show, also if you are in a quiet place you can hear the gas pressurise the keg or hear it escaping. What system do you have? Steve.
@@theframfour5674 I've got the Royal Catering one. It looks basically identical to the one you have, only there is no control dial for the CO2. I can hear it escaping when I attach it, but have no way of telling where it's coming from. Everything seems tightened.
Hi, im looking for some advice. Machines been great, had about 6 kegs though it so far. But now im having gas leak and I've gone through 4 co2 cartriges trying to fix it! Ive changed the black stopper and piercer where the co2 goes but I'm at a loss. Can you offer any advice at all? Cheers.
Hi, I’ve not experienced this but it sounds like you’ve tackled the most likely sources of the problem. Sorry I can’t suggest anything else. I hope you do manage to solve the problem. Steve
Have you checked the clear gas tube for a leak. Mine had a small hole, beneath the nut, just above where it connects to the nipple. I was able to remove the tube, cut past the hole and reconnect.
@@gtpmjh Thanks Matt, I think you're probably right but I can't seem to pinpoint the exact location of the hole its escaping from. Since it doesn't come with a spare gas wire I don't want to start messing around with it. Hoping I can get a refund instead. Its been a great bit of kit but a bit too much messing around for me...
Hi Phillip, yes very happy, I use it for Homebrew as well as bought in kegs. I have some Juicy Session Homebrew from Mangrove Jack in it at the moment the gas gives it a lovely head. Steve.
bengrimsby thank you. There are a few factors to think about. If you are using branded beers or lagers and the temp is around 4 or 5c then mine easily last 6 days and I reckon it could be much much longer if the keg is topped up with CO2, the problem is during this COVID stuff we just keep topping up our glasses and haven”t got further than that before the keg runs dry ! I’m doing some home brew through it and wouldn’t fancy keeping it in more than say 5 days?
I'm looking at getting one of these as there are quite a few good local breweries near me... however one question... is it possible to pour beer from a can or bottle straight into a keg and safely pour it using this machine?
Bradley Spicer I don’t know but you would have to be very careful about cleanliness and sanitisation and if you only part filled how would you expel all the oxygen in the keg that is just waiting to turn your beer into mould and nasties? When you refill with home brew you would put some sugar in the keg to allow the remaining yeast to feast and ultimately produce CO2 to protect your beer from oxygen. Check with your chosen breweries to see if their beer would allow you to do this.
Thanks for your reply, beer probably won't be left in there for long anyway! The brewery's near me provide 5L mini kegs of ale which is why I'm looking into getting this one over the Phillips perfect draft, however there is better range for lagers with the perfect draft.... this feels like such a big decision! Haha
Hi David, yes so did I. Tighten the connection you can see inside the lid and check the rubber grommet / seal is in place around the pin that pierces the CO2 cartridge. They are the most likely places to leak. Hope that helps. Steve.
Neil Atherton can you identify which part of the system you can hear the gas escaping from? Is it from the the gas canister chamber when tightening the chamber or from the parts around the top of the keg?
Neil Atherton if you look at my other video “changing the barrel”. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yG0xAnrrhas.html You can see the nuts that I had to tighten.
