
Hands on Review: Kegland BlowTie Spunding Valve!
A Spunding Valve allows you to maintain a set pressure. If pressure in the vessel exceeds the set point, it is expelled. It generally consists of an adjustable PRV valve, a tee, a gauge and a way to connect to your keg.
Why a Spunding Valve?
There are loads of homebrew related applications for a Spunding valve ranging from pressurized fermentation to naturally carbonating to fixing over carbonated beers and lots more. Check out our resource post on the subject. It’s arguably the go-to resource on the Internet on the subject
Update: New Digital Gauge Available!
Kegland’s DuoTight system along with their EVABarrier Tubing are amazing. Check out my extensive hands on review for a deep dive into the system.
Kegland has released a digital regulator option that works with their great inline regulator and gauge-equipped BlowTie Spunding Valves.
It appears as though though Kegland will offer both complete digital inline regulators and spunding valves and a regulator only option that will retrofit analog units.
Digital Mini Pressure Gauge (0-90 psi) D1165
BlowTie v1 & v2!
This review covers both the original v1 Kegland v1 BlowTie & v2. Both are DuoTight compatible. The biggest difference is v2 has an integrated gauge, where v1 required an add-on gauge.
Kegland BlowTie v2
- BlowTie 2 Diaphragm Spunding Valve with Gauge FE962 via MoreBeer
- Duotight Blowtie Spunding Valve with Gauge via William’s Brewing
- Kegland BlowTie v1Duotight BlowTie 2 Diaphragm Spunding Valve w/Integrated Pressure Gauge (0-23 PSI) for Pressure Fermentation – KL15042 – via Amazon
Kegland BlowTie v1
- BlowTie Diaphragm Spunding Valve FE960 – via MoreBeer
- BlowTie Diaphragm Spunding Valve Complete Kit FE961 – via MoreBeer
- BlowTie Diaphragm Ball Lock beer Spunding Valve Complete Kit for Home Brewing beer corny beer keg – via Amazon
But first, more about DuoTight!
Kegland’s DuoTight Fittings are designed to work with EVABarrier Double Wall Tubing. They offer quick, reliable connections, easy implementation, a variety of fitting options and feature amazing versatility. They’re also, generally speaking, very well priced. DuoTights are push to connect fittings and require no tubing clamps.
Check out my extensive Hands on Review
Hands on Review Kegland BlowTie Spunding Valve v1
The BlowTie Spunding Valve assembly consists of the BlowTie, a DuoTight Tee Fitting, a DuoTight to flare fitting, a DuoTight pressure gauge and two small pieces of EVABarrier Tubing.
The BlowTie is the heart of this build. It has DuoTight Push to Connect connections on both side as well as an adjustment knob to set pressure. Related: DuoTight Hands on Review.
Here’s a look from another angle. If you look closely (click to enlarge) you can see an arrow that indicates flow direction as well as + and – signs on the knob to let you know which direction to turn the knob.
Connecting the components could not be any easier. The DuoTight system is like the Legos of kegerators.
Related!
The front of the BlowTie box
Instructions on the box #1
Instructions on the box #2
Instructions on the box #3
The DuoTight Tee Fitting along with the DuoTight Pressure Gauge
Some additional information found on the pressure gauge box
DuoTight to Flare Fitting. This connects the assembly to a QD. In my case it’s a ball lock, but you could just as easily swap out a compatible pin lock QD.
The completed assembly
Another photo of the complete assembly
In comparison to my DIY build. Pretty similar size.
Installed on an AIH 2.5 gallon ball lock
Close up of the gauge dial
Testing the BlowTie Assembly for Leaks
A photo taken at 9:24 PM
A photo take at 12:05 PM the following day. The whole setup held rock steady overnight. Update: I let this sit for a full 10 days and it held rock solid.
BlowTie Compared to the Kegland Inline Secondary CO2
This inline secondary (pictured on the left) has been on the scene for a while now. I think it’s an amazing little piece of gear, considering it’s price and functionality. I believe, but am not 100% sure, that it’s also made by Kegland. This photo compares the Inline Secondary to the BlowTie. You’ll notice these look similar, however, the connections are a different size. The inline secondary connection is smaller. My initial assumption was that the BlowTie could also be used as in inline secondary. That’s not the case. Each of these is a purpose built device.
Related: Using a Keg as a CO2 Source for Portable Serving!
Finding the Inline Regulator, Compare Prices, Specs & Availability
This is now available in multiple versions including two DuoTight compatible models
- Kegland DuoTight Compatible Inline Secondary CO2 Regulator with Gauge
- via MoreBeer
- via William’s Brewing
- via Amazon
- Duotight In-Line Regulator D1046 – DuoTight Compatible, No Gauge
- Inline Secondary CO2 Regulator – This is the original version, what I’d call v1. It has no gauge and is not DuoTight compatible
- In-Line Secondary CO2 Regulator D1045 – via MoreBeer
- In-Line Secondary CO2 Regulator – via Amazon
Review and Hacks… Hands on Review: Kegland Inline Secondary Regulator! – Use for portable serving!
Utilizing the BlowTie’s Output Port To Use CO2 Produced by Fermentation
Since the the BlowTie has a defined output port, you can use it to capture CO2 produced by fermentation. The “out” side of the BlowTie is a DuoTight connection, just like the “in” side. Use compatible EVABarrier tubing and fittings and you can route outgoing CO2 wherever you’d like. The primary application I can think of for using this is to purge kegs, carboys and fermenters. The pictured setup shows a 10 gallon keg converted to a fermenter. The “out” side of the BlowTie is connected to the liquid out side of an empty keg. That allows incoming CO2 to purge the keg from bottom to top. The lid PRV valve for the receiving keg is open to allow pressure to vent. Of course you could tee the “out” side and flush multiple kegs or vessels using the CO2 produced by a single fermenter.
Related: Hands on Review: Torpedo 10 Gallon Ball Lock Homebrew Kegs!
Using the BlowTie as Part of a DIY Build
This post primarily covers a complete Kegland Spunding Assembly, using Kegland’s DuoTight Fittings, the BlowTie and EVABarrier Tubing but… you can also use the BlowTie as part of a DIY Build
The key to connecting the BlowTie to our standard builds (and probably most DIY builds) is using a Duotight 8mm ¼” NPT Adapter. That connects to a 1/4″ NPT tee. From there you add a small piece of 8 mm EVABarrier Tubing and the BlowTie valve. See: Build a Spunding Valve! – How and Why – for more about putting together a DIY Spunding Build
Hands on Review Kegland BlowTie Spunding Valve v2
The big improvement between v1 and v2 is that v2 includes a built in gauge. This makes for a cleaner setup, is more compact and requires fewer parts.
A look at v2’s gauge
Side view. If you look close at the body, you can see a flow direction arrow pointing to the right.
Mine has a warning printed on the side never to exceed gauge pressure
Close up of the adjustment knob
Bottom view. BlowTie v2 has mounting holes for easy… mounting.
A look inside the DuoTight connector. This is the 8 mm size. To my knowledge that’s the only size option, but it’s possible they also make the larger 9.5 mm size.
BlowTie v2 compared to v1
Like many DuoTight Fittings these are compatible with Valuebrew’s locking clips. I used to think of those as optional, but now use them on every connection. They provide back pressure on the collar making a firmer connection and locking it in.
Conclusions
Like a lot of the gear that’s coming out of Kegland these days… the BlowTie is awesome. It’s super well thought out, feature filled and reasonably priced. I’ve been championing the use of a Spunding Valve for years. It’s nice to see a well made, purpose built device. This is a great piece of equipment. If you still don’t have a Spunding valve the BlowTie is a great option! If you’re trying to decide between v1 and v2, I generally recommend v2 as it’s an all in one unit that’s ready to go.
Check Prices & Availability
Kegland BlowTie v2
- BlowTie 2 Diaphragm Spunding Valve with Gauge FE962 via MoreBeer
- Duotight Blowtie Spunding Valve with Gauge via William’s Brewing
- Kegland BlowTie v1Duotight BlowTie 2 Diaphragm Spunding Valve w/Integrated Pressure Gauge (0-23 PSI) for Pressure Fermentation – KL15042 – via Amazon
Kegland BlowTie v1
- BlowTie Diaphragm Spunding Valve FE960 – via MoreBeer
- BlowTie Diaphragm Spunding Valve Complete Kit FE961 – via MoreBeer
- BlowTie Diaphragm Ball Lock beer Spunding Valve Complete Kit for Home Brewing beer corny beer keg – via Amazon
Parts List for v1 Build via MoreBeer
- BlowTie Diaphragm Spunding Valve FE960
- Duotight Push-In Fitting – 8 mm (5/16 in.) Tee DUO109
- Duotight Push-In Fitting – 8 mm (5/16 in.) x 1/4 in. Flare DUO106
- 2 small sections of 8 mm OD EVABarrier Tubing – EVABarrier Double Wall Draft Tubing – 5 mm ID x 8 mm OD (12 m) D1718C
Troubleshooting Non-Responsiveness
BlowTie Spunding valves feature a diaphragm that can become non-responsive.
The diaphragm can get stuck. When this the case it’s not being properly adjusted with changes to the dial. There’s a short video that Kegland has produced on cleaning the BlowTie Spunding Valve. This process can free a stuck diaphragm.
Leaks? Troubleshooting EVABarrier/DuoTight Leaks
I’ve done several pressure tests with DuoTight Fittings and EVABarrier Tubing. Each test has proven the tested components were leak free. Having said that, it’s entirely possible that you’ll have a leak. This happens with any tubing system, that’s why we… check for leaks. Some tips…
- Check for leaks. Liquid liquids are easy to spot. Gas leaks are a little more difficult.
- I highly suggest picking up a DuoTight Pressure Gauge. You can easily add this to your setup and use this technique for checking for gas leaks.
- If you have a section of EVABarrier tubing that’s marred or damaged, cut off a couple inches to get a fresh end.
- Make sure you’re pushing the EVABarrier Tubing completely in to your DuoTight Fitting.
- Make sure you’re pulling your EVABarrier Tubing out firmly to engage the sealing mechanism.
- DuoTight Compatible Locking Clips can help protect connections and make sure the collar is engaged and properly sealing.
- If you have a particular fitting that won’t seal… contact the seller or manufacturer to get a replacement. A leaking DuoTight fitting is not normal and I’m guessing your retailer will take care of you. Out of the dozens of fittings I have I’ve had 1 that was non-functional on receipt.
DuoTight Review!
Our Spunding Guide
Related Resources!
- Hands on Review: Kegland DuoTight Fittings & EVABarrier Tubing!
- Build a Spunding Valve! – How and Why
- Spunding Valve Build: “Cheapest Option”
- Spunding Valve Build: Using Primefit CR1401G Replacement Air Regulator
- Oxygen Free Cold Crash and Transfer Using a Spunding Valve
- Using a Keg as a CO2 Source for Portable Serving!
- Hands on Review: Torpedo 10 Gallon Ball Lock Homebrew Kegs!
More Kegland Gear Reviews!
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Special Thanks to Lion Brewing Solutions for providing the unit used for evaluation in this review.
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.
Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application. Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application. Always read and follow manufacturer directions. review:blowtie tag:tpr rs:5