First pour

Do this after the water line, CO₂, and fridge are connected. If you have not read Safety yet, read it before you open the tank.

1. Sanitize. Clean the keg, lid, and tubing before any water you plan to drink. The short version is in Care.

2. Set the regulator to 40 PSI. That is the pressure this guide uses. Higher is fizzier. Lower is softer. The pressure table shows the range.

3. Purge the air. Pull the vent pin on the lid and let CO₂ push the air out. Stop if water comes out. Oxygen left in the keg makes the water taste stale.

4. Open the water line. The keg fills until the float valve in the carbonator lid shuts it off.

5. Pour a glass. Attach the liquid disconnect and open the tap. This first glass checks that water is moving. It will probably be flat.

6. Wait, then pour again. A full keg can take several hours to carbonate. Cold water is faster. Leave the keg at 35–40°F (2–4°C) with CO₂ connected.

If the keg will not fill

CO₂ pressure inside the keg can be higher than your home’s water pressure. Vent the keg, let it fill, then bring the regulator back to 40 PSI.

If the second pour is still flat, use the carbonation checks.