Hands on Review: Kegland BlowTie Diaphragm 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 ferementation 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

Hands on Review Kegland BlowTie Spunding Valve

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.

Here’s a look at each component…

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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.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.

The front of the BlowTie boxInstructions on the box #1Instructions on the box #2Instructions on the box #3The DuoTight Tee Fitting along with the DuoTight Pressure GaugeSome additional information found on the pressure gauge boxDuoTight 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 assemblyAnother photo of the complete assemblyIn comparison to my DIY build.  Pretty similar size.Installed on an AIH 2.5 gallon ball lockClose up of the gauge dial

Testing the BlowTie Assembly for Leaks

A photo taken at 9:24 PMA 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

Review and Hacks… Review – Dial in w/Spunding – 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.

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!

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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.

Special Thanks to Lion Brewing Solutions for providing the unit used for evaluation in this review.

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