sonvolt

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So, my kegerator is up and running. I am trying to figure out how it is going to affect my whole brewing process. For instance, in the absence of bottling , I have been wondering some things about storage, conditioning, etc. I thought it might be nice to hear some of you long time keggers to let the rest of us nooobs know how you do it. I guess I am trying to get a little "best practices" discussion going here.

How do you carbonate your beer? force carb/natural?
What method of force carbing do you use?
How/where do you store your ales prior to putting them on tap?
How long do you let your beers sit in a keg prior to drinking?
Do you store them carbonated or flat?
At what temp is your kegerator set to?

Etc.

MrSaLTy

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How do you carbonate your beer? force carb/natural?

I hook it to the gas, set it at about 11 psi and wait a week or 2..... then its ready.

How/where do you store your ales prior to putting them on tap?

After I am done fermenting I rack it to a corny that has the dip tube cut about 1 inch shorter (my brite tank) and let it sit about a week to settle. Then I use a jumper to xfer it with CO2 to a new keg and hook up the gas for carbing.

How long do you let your beers sit in a keg prior to drinking?

This really depends on the beer but usually at least 3 weeks.

Do you store them carbonated or flat?

After I xfer from the brite tank it gets gas.

At what temp is your kegerator set to?

The freezer I carb and settle in is set to about 36F but the kegerator is at about 40F.

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boo boo

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1.. I force carb.

2.. I use the shake method. PSI at 30 and shake until no more gas can go in.

3.. Ales are stored in my basement at about 64f

4.. They are stored until I can find an empty keg in my kegerator.

5.. They are stored carbonated.

6.. 38f, I like my beer cold, damn cold.

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Bernie Brewer

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I set my reg at 25 psi for 2-3 days, turn it down to serving pressure and good to go. Although I've been scolded by some here for not being "patient" enough.

I keep my beers in cornies until I'm ready to carb them. I put them on the gas & purge out the regular air and then I will store them for anywhere from 1-6 months. I also lager in my cornies. I store them flat, but I put enough pressure initially to seal the lid & then like I said I purge out the air so there is nothing but co2 and beer in the keg.

My kegerator is around 35-38 deg. Dunno for sure-haven't checked it in awhile.

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Brewsmith

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1. Force
2. Regulator set to about 12 lbs.
3. Secondary (usually)
4. As long as it takes to carb up (a week)
5. Store carbed
6. Don't have a thermometer in there. It was set so low that stuff was freezing, so I changed the setting. I'd say it's below 40 still.

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sonvolt

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It sounds like a lot of you guys will store your ales in corny kegs off of the CO2 - just a shot to seal the cap and purge the O2 . . . right?

I want to build up a supply - so I always have beer on hand and so I don't have to brew in the winter. If I brew up say . . . 5 or 6 batches, I can rack to cornies after secondary, purge the air, and store this beer for long periods of time before connecting to the CO2 and force carbing. Does this sound about right?

I thought I read somewhere on a post a few weeks ago that ales would not "condition" correctly without the presence of CO2. So, will these longish storing periods affect the flavor of the ale?

sonvolt

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Let me add another question - what are ya'll doing about drip collection? Drip trays are really expensive . If I buy a decent one, it will be the single most expensive item on my kegerator.

Does anyone have a good DIY project for drip collection? Well . . . besides putting a bucket on the floor beneath the taps?

Orpheus

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Man this is why I love the wife. She picked up a stainless steel sponge tray for the kitchen for $5 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. When I first saw it I thought, "That tray looks just like a drip tray for a kegerator!"

Needless to say, with those drip trays costing upwards of $50-60, I'll be getting another one from BBB for my kegerator.

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david_42

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How do you carbonate your beer? force carb/natural?
Force
What method of force carbing do you use?
Place in kegger & connect to CO2.
How/where do you store your ales prior to putting them on tap?
Aging chest
How long do you let your beers sit in a keg prior to drinking?
1-30 months
Do you store them carbonated or flat?
Sealed, I apply a little CO2 to ensure the lid is set.
At what temp is your kegerator set to?
45F

Drips on the floor, hose off every brewsday.

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sonvolt

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oooh! You got a link/pic of that bad boy?