GW Kent Bulldog Barrel Transfer tool not providing enough C02

[Markn413]

We've probably done 20+ barrel transfers out of 53 gal barrels with the GW Kent "Bulldog" and just recently could not get the tool to push an adequate amount of C02 into the barrel to get the beer out. Nothing is clogged, we had a good seal on the bung, all gaskets are in tact and not leaking, the receiving tank had no pressure in it and any gas leaking from dry parts of the barrel was very minimal and on par with other barrels that we've successfully transferred out of. It does seem that transfers are pretty hit or miss with this thing. Sometimes they go quick and other times we lose flow a few times throughout the transfer so I can't say we're pros with this thing but we've never had a situation where we simply couldn't push the beer out. Has anyone else experienced this and figured out what was going on? I know there are other options like the Rack it eer, diaphragm pump, lifting it to use gravity etc but I'd really like to figure out why this used to work and now it doesn't. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark
Head Brewer
Great Awakening Brewing

[plh]

Have you checked your barrels for leaks? Perhaps the staves at the top have dried out and leak CO2 between them. I am assuming you are using wood barrels. These are very simple devises. I built a DIY that works in the same manor for emptying my wood sour beer barrels into kegs.

[Markn413]

Thanks for the response. Yes, the staves do tend to leak slightly during transfers but it's never resulted in the inability to get the beer out. We rehydrated the same barrels after we carefully pumped the beer out and had no problems pushing water out with the bulldog. I agree that the problem is the staves drying out since we don't top off our barrels. I've always assumed that the risk of contamination is exponentially higher with topping off than a bit of 02 ingress into the barrel as the volume reduced through evaporation over time but if it means we can't get the beer out it is something to consider. We may try steaming the uppermost portion of the barrels before transferring or possibly tightening the wood with a ratchet strap if we encounter this again.

Mark
Head Brewer
Great Awakening Brewing