Troubleshooting
Your 'Tini Tap is designed to be simple and reliable. But if something feels off, this guide will help you diagnose and fix it quickly. Work through the relevant section below and you'll be back to pouring in no time.
"My drink won't pour at all."
Start with the basics before assuming something is wrong with the unit.
- Is the tank pressurized? Insert a 'Tini Charger if you haven't already, or replace the current one if it may be spent.
- Have you opened the tank after charging? This will release the pressure requiring a new charger to re-pressurize prior to use.
- Is the tap fully open? Open it slowly and completely.
- Is the hose kinked or pinched? Check the full length of the hose and straighten it out.
- Is the tank overfilled? Without proper headspace above the liquid, the system can't pressurize correctly. If overfilled, vent the tank using the pressure release ring, remove some liquid, reseal, and re-charge.
- Is there a clog in the tap line? If you filled with a drink that wasn't fully strained, pulp or solids may be blocking the line. See "My tap line is clogged" below.
"My pour is foamy."
Foam is the most common issue in pressurized pour systems and almost always comes down to one of three things: temperature, pressure, or agitation.
- Is your drink cold enough? This is the #1 cause of foamy pours. Warm liquid releases CO2 too quickly, producing foam that then leaves a flat drink. Your ingredients should be at or below 41°F before filling. If in doubt, re-chill or add some ice before your next pour.
- Did you shake the tank recently or just transport it? Let it rest upright for at least 60 seconds, or ideally a few minutes before opening the tap after any movement.
- Are you opening the tap too quickly? Open it slowly and steadily. A sudden full-open tap releases pressure too fast and causes foam.
- Is the tank over-pressurized? If you've inserted more than the recommended number of 'Tini Chargers, excess pressure can cause foamy, over-carbonated pours. Vent slightly using the pressure release ring and try again.
"My drink is flat."
- Is the tank properly pressurized? Check that your 'Tini Charger is fully threaded in and seated correctly.
- Do you have a slow leak? If the tank was pressurized but the drink poured flat after sitting for a while, CO2 may be escaping slowly. See "I think I have a leak" below.
- Did you open the tank after charging it? Any time the tank is opened, the charge is released. A new 'Tini Charger is always required after opening.
- Is your drink warm? Warm liquid holds CO2 poorly. Start with properly chilled ingredients for the best carbonation and pour quality.
- You can usually safely add an additional Charger and gently roll the tank to incorporate the CO2 into your cold beverage to add additional carbonation to your.
- Never use more than 3 chargers in the 68oz. ‘Tini Tank or 4 chargers in the 169oz. Too much CO2 in the keg can compromise the integrity of the tank as well as cause other beverage and serving issues.
"My 'Tini Chargers are running out faster than expected."
One 'Tini Charger should comfortably power a full 68oz. session. If you're going through chargers faster than that, there's almost certainly a small leak somewhere in the system.
- Check all fittings and connections. Hand-tighten anything that feels loose.
- Inspect the O-rings and seals. A worn or cracked seal is the most common source of slow CO2 loss. Replace any that look damaged.
- Do a soapy water leak check: mix a small amount of dish soap with water and apply it to all external fittings, connections, and the regulator threads while the tank is pressurized. Any active leak will show bubbles. Tighten or replace the affected part.
- Make sure your 'Tini Charger is fully and correctly threaded in. A partially seated cartridge will bleed CO2 from the connection point.
"I think I have a leak."
Don't ignore a suspected leak. Even a slow one will drain your charger, flatten your drink, and waste CO2. The good news is leaks are almost always easy to find and fix.
The soapy water test: with the tank pressurized, mix a small amount of dish soap with water and apply it with your fingers or a cloth to every external connection point; the regulator fitting, hose connections, tap head, and tank seal. Watch for bubbles. Bubbles mean a leak. Once you've found it:
- Loose fitting: hand-tighten and re-test.
- Worn/cracked O-ring or seal: replace it. Replacement seals are available by contacting us at info@tinitaps.com.
- Damaged or cross-threaded cartridge connection: inspect the threads carefully. If the regulator threads look damaged, contact us at info@tinitaps.com.
If you can hear hissing: move to a well-ventilated area, vent the tank using the pressure release ring, and inspect all connections before re-pressurizing.
"My tap line is clogged."
Clogs are almost always caused by filling without straining; pulp, herbs, or undissolved solids can block the tap line over time.
- Run a warm water flush: fill the tank with warm water, pressurize lightly, and run it through the tap to try to clear the blockage.
- Use a pipe cleaner or small brush to gently work through the hose from both ends.
- For stubborn clogs, soak the hose in a warm OxiClean solution for 15–20 minutes, then flush again.
- Going forward, always strain your drink thoroughly before filling to prevent clogs from developing.
"There's a bad smell coming from my tank or tap line."
Off-odors almost always mean residue was left in the tank or line and wasn't cleaned promptly.
- Run a full deep clean immediately. See the Deep Clean section in Cleaning & Care Tips.
- Pay particular attention to the tap line and hose interior. Sugary and dairy-adjacent residue can build up in these areas quickly and is the primary source of odor.
- If the smell persists after a deep clean, inspect the O-rings and seals. Residue can work its way into seal grooves and is harder to remove. Replace any seals that retain odor after cleaning.
- Going forward, clean immediately after every use! This is imperative to the longevity of your system. Nearly all problems that could happen stem from not keeping components clean. Especially after coffee, espresso, or any high-sugar drink.
"There's dripping at the tap between pours."
A small amount of drip immediately after a pour is normal as pressure equalizes. Persistent dripping between pours usually points to one of two things:
- The tap isn't fully closed. Ensure it's turned completely to the closed position after each pour.
- The tap seal is worn. If the tap continues to drip even when fully closed, the internal seal may need to be replaced. Contact us at info@TiniTaps.com and we'll get you taken care of.
"My powder coat finish is scratched or chipping."
- Avoid abrasive sponges, steel wool, or harsh scrubbing on the exterior. Use a soft cloth only.
- The powder coat is durable but not indestructible. Avoid storing the tank where it can knock against hard surfaces.
- Minor surface scratches are cosmetic and don't affect performance. However, in the event of a warranty claim, ‘Tini Taps may refuse to warranty your product if it has significant signs of wear & tear. Dents or large gashes in the tank should be almost entirely avoidable with proper care.
- For significant finish issues, contact us at info@tinitaps.com.
“I still can't figure out what's wrong.”
Check our video library at TiniTaps.com/learn. We have step-by-step walkthroughs for the most common issues that are much easier to follow visually. If you still need help, reach out directly at info@tinitaps.com. Tell us what's happening, include a photo or short video if you can, and we'll get back to you quickly and ensure you are taken care of!