Ukeg 64, 128 User Manual

™

U

Pressurized Growler

Owner’s Manual

K

64 & 128

EG

Hello from the founders of GrowlerWerks.

We’d like to personally welcome you to your new uKeg.
Thank you for making GrowlerWerks your choice in
keeping beverages fresh and carbonated for more than
two weeks. The uKeg is a unique product that gives you
the functionality of a full-bar system, letting you be your
own bartender wherever you go. Vacuum insulated so
your beverage stays cold all day, the uKeg is perfect for
keeping craft beer fresh or holding your own cocktail
creations and then taking it with you to share with friends.

We hope you enjoy your uKeg for years to come and
are here to support you along the way. The uKeg
will require some maintenance over its lifetime, and
some easy upkeep procedures will be required as
components wear. The uKeg comes with a one-year
warranty for manufacturing defects, but we will always
support you with free email and phone support. Check
out the how-to page on our website for a wealth of
information on caring for your uKeg and to access our
technical-support system.

So please go forth and enjoy your uKeg. May your beer
always be fresh, cold, and carbonated!

Cheers,
Brian, Evan, and Shawn

WELCOME TO YOUR UKEG

2

Included with
your uKeg™:

• 2 CO2 cartridges

• CO2 cartridge sleeve

• Regulator cap

• uKeg

• Surgeon General’s warning
(required in some states)

• Owner’s manual

• Felt protective bag

• GrowlerWerks sticker

• Spare cartridge seal

Visit growlerwerks.com/howto for a full instructional video.

1

.

2

.

3

.

4

.

5

.

Install cartridge

• Before heading out.

• Ensure dial is in off
position.

Do not open

sleeve when
cartridge contains
pressure.

Do not use uKeg with liquids

above 120 degrees F.

Do not use

without CO2
cartridge.

Charge cap

• Tighten sleeve quickly

and rmly.

• Sleeve does not need
to bottom out.

Do not turn off

pressure when
uKeg is full.
Doing this does
not save CO2.

Do not polish carry handles or

copper-plated uKegs.

Fill uKeg

• First, rinse with
cold water.

• Fill from the bottom

with ll-tube.

Do not store or

transport uKeg
on its side or
shake.

Cap uKeg

• Turn pressure up to
desired setting.

CARBONATION SETTINGS

Beverage Type Pressure

Stout, Porter, Cream Ale,
Barley Wine

Amber, Brown, Red Ale 5-8 PSI

IPA, Pale Ale, Wheat, Other Ales 7-10 PSI

Lager, Pilsner, Cider, Kombucha 9-12 PSI

Sparkling Wine, Soda 12-15 PSI

Pour and enjoy

• Tilt glass, hold close to
the spout.

• Open tap completely,
let go.

uKeg is not dishwasher safe.
Be sure to hand wash only.

GETTING STARTED

3-6 PSI

3

The uKeg is a complete beverage dispensing system to contain your beverage

and keep it cold. Here’s a handy map to your uKeg’s parts, to help you nd your

way around.

Pressure Dial

VPR Cap

Variable Pressure Regulation Cap

Pressure Dial

VPR Cap

Carry Handle

RISKS & WARNINGS

• Use precaution when handling CO2 cartridges and
follow all instructions. Keep bottom of cartridge sleeve
pointed away from body when installing and removing
cartridges. Do not attempt to remove a cartridge from
regulator cap if still pressurized.

UKEG MAP

4

WARNING: While the brass used in this product is FDA-compliant, low-lead alloy, it is not completely lead free. This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Tap Handle

Tap Body

Tap Lock

Gooseneck

Upper Fitting

Sight Guard

Sight Tube

Pressure Gauge Nut

Pressure Gauge

Lower Fitting

• Risk of cold burns – CO2 gas and used cartridges
can be very cold. Use caution when handling. Always
point the regulator cap’s outlet away from body when
discharging.

• CO2 cartridges are to be used for food consumption
only and not for sale to minors under the age of 18.

* Other gases may be used:
Argon can be used for

non-carbonated beverages.

N

2O cream chargers won’t

carbonate but can yield a
smoother character.

• Do not inhale contents. Misuse can be dangerous
to your health.

• This product carries risk of explosion and

ying debris.

• Misuse can be dangerous!

• Do not incinerate.

*

CO2

Cartridge
Sleeve

• Do not expose to sun or heat.

• Do not store above 49°C/120°F.

• Keep out of reach of children.

Cap O-ring

Sleeve Seal

Cartridge Seal

Sleeve Plug

Make sure
retaining nut
is tight.

Sleeve doesn’t need
to bottom out.

Correct sleeve seal
orientation means
ridges point down.

Installing a cartridge:

• Before installing cartridge, do these things.

Make sure the pressure dial is off.

Make sure retaining nut is tight.

Inspect your seals:

1. Cartridge seal is not damaged or excessively
worn.

2. Cap O-ring is not stretched or damaged.

3. Sleeve seal and plug are in good condition.
They ensure beer does not contact the CO
cartridge.

• Screw the sleeve on quickly.

• Listen for hissing. It should stop within seconds.

• You can always test the cap by hand, turning on
the dial slightly, listening for a puff of CO

• Use only approved CO

may not t properly and can lead to leaks

(www.growlerwerks.com/howto).

2, as some CO2

2.

Pressure off is
counterclockwise.

Removing a cartridge:

• You can turn off the cap and
remove it at any time.

• Before unscrewing sleeve, test
that it’s empty by turning the
pressure dial and making sure
no hissing is heard.

• Unscrew sleeve slowly and listen
for hissing. If heard, stop until
hissing stops.

2

• Before installing the next
cartridge, allow the seal to
recover its rounded shape.

Cap O-ring tight,
smooth

Cartridge seal
rounded, smooth,
clean

What to expect from your cap:

• Cartridge will last for one growler ll,
with some left over that can be used
during cleaning (see page 7).

• Beer will stay fresh for at least 2 weeks.

• Cartridge seal will last for over 20 lls,
unless damaged.

• Long term storage of cap with CO
installed reduces cartridge seal life,
remove empty cartridges promptly.

• Cap O-ring can become damaged or
stretched and may need to be replaced.

• Applying a food grade silicone grease
to seals will extend their life.

YOUR CAP DECODED

2

5

Pour a good beer

• Open tap fully.

• Let go of tap handle.

• Tilt glass.

• Tap will drip a few
times when closed –
leave glass to catch
those precious drops.

Filling your uKeg

• Rinse with cold water.

• Fill from the bottom up

with a ll tube with the

tap open.

• Put cap on yourself, to
avoid overtightening.

Transport

• Secure upright.

• Lower pressure.

• May vent with elevation
increase.

Keep it cold

• Perfect in your
refrigerator door.

• Keep out of direct
sunlight to prevent

ttings from getting hot.

• Store in a cooler –
it’s OK if it gets wet.

Gooseneck

• Can turn sideways.

• Turn to transport or
dispense sideways.

• Sometimes nut will be
tight and gooseneck
may still feel loose –
that’s OK.

To minimize
foaming

• Keep uKeg clean.

• uKeg pressure
should match beer

line pressure at ll

station.

• Allow to settle after
transport.

• Avoid warming.

What NOT to put in
the uKeg

• No liquids over 120°F.

• No solids – they
may clog.

• Do not use uKeg for
fermentation.

Insulation

• Stays cold 8 hours
or more.

USING YOUR UKEG LIKE A PRO

6

Hand Wash Only

1

.

Remove cap and rinse uKeg
with hot water (< 120° F).

•

Repeat 3 times.

Do not clean with basic

cleaners like ammonia.

2

.

Rinse cap and sleeve with
hot water (< 120° F).

3

.

Shake with tap open,
facing downward.

•

Water may or may not come
out of tap.

•

Repeat until water runs clean.

4

.

Fill with warm water under
120° F and 1 cleaning
tablet.*

•

Shake well.

* Baking soda is acceptable

substitute.

CARING FOR YOUR UKEG

5

.

Install cap, charge briey,
ow a little water through

tap, close tap.

•

Let sit for 10 minutes.

•

Then open tap until uKeg is
empty or pressure runs out.

6

.

Empty bottle and rinse
all parts.

•

Thoroughly rinse tap lock.

•

Move lock several times
during rinse.

7

.

Allow to dry, and store
with cap off and tap open
in a dry place.

uKeg Cleaning

Tablets

Available at

growlerwerks.com

7

The uKeg is a complete beverage dispensing system, and it will experience some wear and tear as it ages. As with a commercial
system, you can expect to replace a few seals and components but the uKeg is designed to make this simple. Here are a few of
the most common procedures you may encounter. For more information on these and other aspects, plus videos of maintaining
your uKeg, please visit

www.growlerwerks.com/howto

or contact technical support.

Cartridge Seal Replacement

Use a butter knife
or keys if you do not
have a uKeg tool.

Tap Cleaning

MAINTAINING YOUR UKEG

Use 1.5mm allen wrench.

8

Cap Seal Replacement

Stretch O-ring just
enough for installation.

Pressure Gauge Replacement

* See page 14 for detailed uKeg diagrams.

Copper and Black Chrome uKegs:

The color of your uKeg is actually a metal coating that is electroplated onto the

stainless steel bottle in a thin layer and then covered with a protective lacquer nish.

Your copper uKeg should not corrode or turn green, but it can be expected to darken
slightly over time.

MAINTAINING YOUR UKEG

• To clean, gently wash with soap and
water or mild detergents.

• To remove spots, discoloration, or
minor blemishes, gentle rubbing with a
soft cloth and water is recommended.

• Do not use polishing compounds or
abrasive pads to polish the copper or
black chrome surfaces.

• Spot cleaning this way can remove

the lacquer nish which can later lead

to green corrosion.

• Polishing with compounds can
completely remove the plated metal
layer and expose the stainless steel
beneath.

Over time, the coating will experience
wear and tear and the copper coating
may eventually develop an aged patina.
This is expected and is part of the
character of your copper-plated uKeg. It,
in part, tells the story of where you and
your uKeg have been together.

Removing the
Tap Handle

9

Instructional video on our website:

FORCE CARBONATING

www.growlerwerks.com/howto

10

Force carbonating homebrew:

1 Fill the uKeg to the ll line with your beer after

fermentation.

• Do not add priming sugar.

• lf you bottle, add the priming sugar to the bottling

bucket after lling the uKeg.

• Remember to adjust your sugar addition for actual
volume of beer you’ll be bottling.

2 Install CO2 into cap and install cap onto uKeg.

3 Purge oxygen from uKegs:

• Turn on cap to 1-2 psi then turn off again.

• Loosen cap slightly to vent pressure.

• Tighten and repeat once.

• Tighten fully and turn up pressure.

4 Turn up pressure to 15psi.

5 Swirl gently then refrigerate.

• Excessive shaking can allow beer into cap.

6 Swirl frequently to accelerate carbonation.

7 Beer will be fully carbonated in 2-3 days.

7 Reduce carbonation to desired level.

• Indicated pressure will lower only after a little beer
is poured.

8 After rst pour, uKeg may run out of pressure as

all of the CO2 has gone into the beer.

• For the uKeg 64, you can purchase the 16gm sleeve
and use a 16gm cartridge to avoid this.

9 Open uKeg and install new CO2 cartridge.

10 Purge O2.

11 Enjoy!

Red Brut

Eastside Mule

Ingredients:

• 1 uKeg™ 128

• 1 Bottle – Wild Roots Raspberry Infused Vodka (or any
vodka + raspberries)

• 3 Liters – Torre Oria Brut (champagne, moscato, or
prosecco)

• 1 Lemon

• 1 Box Raspberries

• 1 Bundle Mint Leaves

Instructions:

Pour entire bottle of Wild Roots Raspberry Infused Vodka &
3 liters (four 750 ML bottles) Torre Oria Brut into uKeg 128.

Charge the cap with CO
ensures you’ll have enough CO2 to carbonate and
dispense).

Grab your ute.

Drop 3 raspberries and a leaf of mint into ute (slap mint to
charge avor).

Pour your beverage into ute, and garnish with lemon peel.

Enjoy.

WARNING: This combination is meant for those who enjoy
the more tart side of life. The bite is as strong as its bark. To
sweeten that, we suggest using a moscato, 5 tablespoons
of honey, or both!

2 (using a 16-gram cartridge

Ingredients:

• 1 uKeg™ 64

• 1 Bottle – Eastside Distilling Below Deck Ginger Rum

• 4 Pack – 12 oz Reed’s Extra Ginger Beer

• 1 Bottle Natural Lime Juice (found at any local grocery store)

Instructions:

Measure 20 ounces of Eastside Distilling Below Deck Ginger
Rum, 40 ounces of Reed’s Extra Ginger Beer & 4 ounces of
lime juice.

Pour measurements into uKeg 64.

Stir these ingredients for 30-40 seconds.

Charge the cap with CO
you’ll have enough CO2 to carbonate and dispense).

Place the cap on the uKeg and turn the pressure up to 15 psi,
which will keep the correct level of carbonation in the ginger
brew and ensure you taste that kick unique to a moscow mule.

Grab a glass, drop in a few ice cubes, pour, sip, repeat.*

You can adjust the dial to automatically maintain perfect
carbonation.

*Keep uKeg in refrigerator to ensure fresh pours to the last drop.

2 (using an 8-gram cartridge ensures

COCKTAIL RECIPES

11

TROUBLESHOOTING SOLUTION

Leaks gas as soon as the
cartridge is installed.

The tap is open, but no
beer comes out.

Runs out of pressure in a
day or two.

Holds pressure for over a
week, but runs out of CO
before beer is gone.

Tap/gooseneck can turn
from side to side.

Tap lock is stuck. • Beer has dried in the tap lock.

• Make sure regulator dial is off, turned all the way counter clockwise.

• Tighten the cartridge seal retaining nut.

• Replace cartridge seal if it is damaged.

• Make sure a CO
pressure gauge.

• Turn off cap and remove from uKeg. Turn on dial slightly until hissing is heard. If no hissing is heard and you
are certain the cartridge is not empty, contact technical support for a cap replacement.

• Tap assembly may be clogged. Do not use liquids with solid matter such as fruit larger than 1/32”. Clean the
uKeg, and disassembly may be required.

• Make sure cap is turned on and left on. (Do not turn cap off once the uKeg is pressurized.)

• Ensure the cap is rmly tightened.

• Verify that the cap O-ring is not pinched or damaged.

• Verify that the cartridge seal is not damaged and the cartridge seal retaining nut is tight.

• If you hear hissing or none of the above restore proper function, contact technical support.

• There may be a slow leak. Follow the “runs out of pressure” steps to correct.

2

• Beer may be undercarbonated to start, and CO

• This is normal. Gooseneck may be turned to the side for transport or to pour from the side if desired.

• If too loose, tighten the nuts on either end of the gooseneck.

• Run just the tap assembly under hot water. Push on tap lock with your thumb in the bowl of a metal spoon,
bracing against other side of tap during the rinse.

• Work back and forth while running under hot water.

• Always rinse the tap lock under hot water when cleaning uKeg.

2 cartridge is installed, the cap is turned on, and pressure is indicated on the

2 is being absorbed by the beer over time.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Free email and phone support for life!

12

Customer Service

[e-mail]

TROUBLESHOOTING SOLUTION

Pressure gauge only reads
0 psi or never changes.

Pressure gauge stuck above
0 psi when off.

Tap continues to drip
without stopping when
closed and locked.

Beer pours foamy every
time (more than ¼ cup
of foam).

• Dial may be temporarily stuck. Tap on face of gauge while under pressure.

• Beer may be dried in the gauge. Follow pressure gauge cleaning procedure.

• Gauge may be damaged. Contact technical support for assistance.

• Beer may be dried in the gauge. Follow pressure gauge cleaning procedure.

• Gauge may have been overpressurized or developed an internal defect. Contact technical support
for assistance.

• If damaged by a drop or impact, a new pressure gauge may be purchased on the website.

• A few drips after closing the tap are normal, but it should not drip over time.

• Debris may be upsetting the internal tap seal. Follow tap cleaning procedure.

• If uKeg continues to drip after cleaning, internal O-ring may have worn through
use and be in need of replacement. Replacement seals can be purchased
from the website.

• If the above do not address the problem, please contact technical support
for assistance.

• First pour may be foamy if the beer line is full of air after being lled or the

tap assembly has been allowed to warm up. Second beer should pour ne,
if that’s the case. Always ll uKeg with tap open and keep out of the sun.

• Beer may be highly carbonated from bar or brewery. If beer in uKeg is
pressurized at 5 psi but came from brewery beer lines pressurized at
25 psi, beer will pour foamy until the pressure equalizes after a few days
in the uKeg.

• Be sure to open the tap handle fully and let go during the pour.

Attempting to meter the ow during the pour can lead to foaming.

• Beer line may be dirty or clogged. Clean the tap assembly.

• If foaming only after the beer level drops below the upper tting, there is
an internal leak in the uKeg. Contact technical support for assistance.

TROUBLESHOOTING

www.growlerwerks.com/howto

13

Tap assembly

Rocker Nut

Rocker Seal

Rocker

Tap Handle

Tap Handle Set Screw

Lock Pin

Tap Body

Shuttle

High Side Pin

Pin Spring

Piercer O-ring

Piecer

Cartridge Seal

Reatining Nut

Shuttle O-ring

VPR Cap bottom assembly

Cap O-ring

Pin Seat

Size -224

Tap Assembly

Upper Gooseneck Seal

Gooseneck

Lower Gooseneck Seal

Sight Tube O-ring (x2)

Sight Tube

Riser Tube O-ring (x2)

Riser Tube

Upper Fitting

Sight Guard

Riser Socket

Lower Fitting O-ring

Lower Fitting Assembly

Sight tube
assembly

Cap Screw

(x4)

INSIDE YOUR UKEG

VPR Cap top assembly

Cap Body

Diaphragm

Diaphragm
O-ring

Size -126

14

Low Side
Spring

Spring Hat

Dial Screw

Drive Screw

Dial

Cap Grip

Pressure Gauge
O-ring

Lower Fitting

Pressure Gauge
Retaining Nut

Pressure Gauge

Pressure gauge
assembly

Warranty and Returns

The uKegTM comes with a limited one-year warranty from date of receipt of a new
purchase from an authorized retailer.
Please read the full warranty at: www.growlerwerks.com/warranty.

Product may be returned for a full refund after it is veried new and unused.

Please read the full refund policy: www.growlerwerks.com/return-policy.

Questions or concerns?
Contact us at [e-mail] or call 971-266-1477.

Register your uKeg

Registering your uKeg gains you

access to customer service. It also

ensures that your one-year

warranty is properly applied.

www.growlerwerks.com/registration

WARRANTY & REGISTRATION

15

Visit GrowlerWerks.com

for more helpful uKegTM products.

CO2 cartridges Bar mats Maintenance kits Cleaning tabletsWooden carrying case Wooden tap handles

Version 2.0