Is Your Glycol Cool Enough?

Legacy Chiller

Throughout history, one thing every beer drinker can agree on has is that no one wants to be served a warm glass of brew. The whole point of a beer is to go get that frosty, refreshing kick we all desire, especially on a hot summer’s day.

That’s why a process chiller, such as those manufactured by Legacy Chillers, is so important to the success of restaurants and bars. This is especially important in a city that prides itself on great beer service, such as Portland, Oregon. A big part of a good quality chiller is its ability to dispense glycol that delivers perfectly chilled beer. An icy cold beer is always in order to quench your customers’ thirsts and keep them coming back for round after round of the good stuff. Since glycol is such an important role in the cooling process, it is imperative to make sure your system is always working to its highest potential. The easiest way to keep your glycol dispensing system performing is to perform scheduled routine maintenance.

If your process chiller is not performing well, here is a list of troubleshooting tools to try before calling in the experts:

Is the cover of your glycol bath closed? If you leave the cover of your glycol bath open, you can allow water vapor to dilute and weaken your glycol.

Is your glycol bath the right temperature? Make sure to regularly check the temperature of your glycol bath (weekly is ideal, but no less than biweekly) to ensure that it’s within the optimal range as noted by the manufacturer. Many glycol chillers are equipped with a temperature gauge on the outside, but if you are experiencing issues, it’s worth your time to manually measure the temperature with a thermometer.

Is your beer being dispensed at the faucet at the right temperature? Even if the chiller unit is reading the correct temperature, you should still check the temperature of the beer coming out of the faucet.

Is the motor running smoothly? Observe your glycol chiller and listen for any signs of malfunctioning. If you hear anything out of the ordinary, make sure to call a technician immediately to avoid any larger issues down the road.

Are the pumps operating correctly? Ensure that the connections are tight and that all the insulation is accounted for.

Is the condenser free of dirt and other obstructions? Check your condenser every three to five weeks and clean as necessary. The condenser won’t require a thorough cleaning with every check, but every so often, you’ll want to remove the grills to get access to the condenser fins.

Is there any damage to your trunk lines? When properly installed, your trunk line is very durable. However, over time, it’s possible to experience ice buildup due to insulation damage.

If you go through the entire checklist above and still have problems that persist, make sure to call a maintenance technician. If you are in the search for a new process chiller, visit www.legacychillers.com to get your free quote today!

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