Beer Regulator Adjustment and Buying Guide

Whether you’ve been considering taking the plunge into the world of draft beer with your own personal kegerator or you’ve been serving beer on tap for years, you may have some questions about regulators.

Finding the perfect CO2 or nitrogen pressure is, perhaps, the most tedious part of dispensing draft beer. Regulators help ease this cumbersome task.

So kick back, pour yourself a beer and get ready to learn the differences between the many different types of beer regulators so you can get the freshest pour every time.

What Is a Regulator?

A regulator connects the gas cylinder to the air tube. As one of the most important components of a kegerator, the regulator controls the flow of CO2 or nitrogen from the cylinder through the line. If the pressure needs adjusting, the regulator is where you would make those adjustments to find the right pressure.

How Do You Make Adjustments with a Regulator?

We provide step-by-step instructions below, but for a quick answer, an adjustment screw controls the partial opening and closing of a valve. If you turn the adjustment screw clockwise, the valve will begin to close. If you turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise, the valve will open more. 

Different Types of Beer Regulators Explained

There are different types and variations of regulators available. Knowing the similarities and differences between each can help you get the best one for your needs.

Primary Regulators

A primary regulator is the standard available option. They are intended to regulate CO2 or nitrogen and have at least one gauge, the output pressure gauge. Featuring a measurement of 0–60 pounds, which are actually PSI (pounds per square inch), this gauge is used to show how much CO2 or nitrogen pressure you are using to dispense your beer.

The primary regulators are always connected directly to the gas tank. No matter the model or brand, your primary regulator should always feature a shutoff valve and a safety relief valve. The shutoff valve is a quick and easy way to stop the flow of gases, while the safety relief valve automatically stops gas flow before dangerous or unsafe pressures are reached.

If you are dispensing two kegs that require the same amount of pressure, you can use a two-product primary regulator. These connect directly to the CO2 tank and have two hose nipples.

CO2 vs. Nitrogen Primary Regulators

Nitrogen and CO2 regulators are not interchangeable. Nitrogen regulators are designed to withstand higher pressures and have characteristics specific only to nitrogen systems, such as a male thread with conical fittings. If you plan to dispense beer using nitrogen, you cannot use a CO2 regulator.

Single Gauge vs. Dual Gauge Primary Regulators

Single gauge regulators only have an output pressure gauge. Dual or double gauge regulators have both an output pressure gauge and a tank pressure gauge. The tank pressure gauge has a measurement range of 0–3000 pounds or PSI.

While the output pressure gauge shows you how much pressure is being dispensed, the tank pressure gauge explains how much CO2 or nitrogen remains in the tank.

Having an output pressure gauge is crucial for dispensing beer, while the tank pressure gauge is simply helpful. Without the second tank pressure gauge, the only issue you may encounter is an unexpectedly empty CO2 or nitrogen tank.

Secondary Regulators

If you’re storing, pouring, and enjoying from multiple kegs and need different output pressures for each one, then you will need a secondary regulator.

Unlike primary regulators, secondary regulators do not connect directly to the gas tank. They are additions for after the primary regulator is attached.

Secondary regulators have anywhere from one to four adjustment screws and hose nipples, allowing you to dispense up to four kegs using just one gas source.

Similar to primary regulators, secondary regulators have an output pressure gauge measuring 0-60 pounds, a shutoff valve, and a safety relief valve for each product it can connect to.

Air Line Distributors

If you’re dispensing multiple kegs and each keg requires the same pressure, you can use an air line distributor instead of a secondary regulator.

Essentially the only difference between a distributor and a secondary regulator is that with the air line distributor, you won’t have the ability to adjust the pressure for each keg. A distributor takes the pressure set by the primary regulator and distributes that pressure to each keg. A secondary regulator gives you more control, allowing you to adjust for each keg individually.

Now that you know the basics, you can follow the regulator adjustment guide to find the right pressure and dispense beer with the perfect head in no time at all.

Regulator Adjustment Guide

This regulator adjustment guide can help you with those final steps in assuring that your kegerator provides you with the highest-quality beer. Walk step by step through the regulator adjustment process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Regulate Keg Compression

Before you start, please make sure that your CO2 regulator is firmly and properly attached to the CO2 cylinder. This guide will primarily focus on using a single gauge regulator that is included with most kegerators; however, any regulator that can be used on a CO2 cylinder with a CGA-320 valve will work.

1. Open Gas Cylinder

Make sure that the brass shutoff valve on the regulator (1) is closed (as shown above), and then open the valve (2) on the gas cylinder completely.

2. Fine-Tune Adjustment Nut and Screw

Loosen the regulator adjustment nut (3) by slowly turning the nut counterclockwise until the screw becomes loose. With a flat head screwdriver, turn the adjustment screw (4) clockwise until the desired pressure is shown on the output pressure gauge. We recommend setting the regulator at 12 PSI.

NOTE: On regulators designed for draft beer, turning clockwise will increase the output pressure, and turning counterclockwise will decrease the output pressure. Under normal circumstances we recommend setting the regulator at 12 PSI. Other conditions, such as altitude or special beer styles, may require some adjustment. Consult your keg distributor or the brewery of each beer for recommended PSI settings.

3. Allow Gas to Flow to Coupler

Make sure the keg coupler is locked in the downward position. Open the shutoff valve (1) on the regulator to allow CO2 gas to flow from the regulator to the keg coupler.

NOTE: You will hear the keg pressurizing. The output needle on the regulator should drop momentarily until the pressure has equalized, and then the needle will return to the previously set pressure.

4. Briefly Vent Gas on the Pressure Release Valve

The keg coupler is designed with a pressure release valve. Pull the ring on the pressure release valve briefly to allow gas to vent. You will hear a sharp hissing noise once you pull the pressure release valve.

NOTE: This is important to do, as it will help gas flow through the regulator and help obtain a more accurate reading on the output pressure gauge.

5. Double-Check the Output Pressure

Next, you will want to re-check the output pressure on the regulator and, if necessary, re-adjust using step #2 until the desired pressure is shown.

NOTE: Follow up any adjustment to the regulator with a brief pull of the pressure release valve ring to help ensure an accurate pressure reading.

6. Make Sure Beer Pours Properly

Check to make sure that beer pours properly out of the faucet. The beer should dispense at a normal pace. If beer is wild, cloudy, or off-tasting, check the owner’s manual for tips on how to remedy common dispensing issues.

NOTE: To check for CO2 leaks, drip some soapy water on the CO2 cylinder and regulator connection. If soapy bubbles form, you may need to tighten or re-attach the gold regulator nut connection to the CO2 cylinder.