3 Gal in 5 Gal Corny

TheMan · 07-17-2009, 03:59 PM

I put a 3 gallon batch in my 5 gallon corny keg, let it sit at 12 PSI for a week and a half now. It is not carbonated. Does the fact that it has only 3 gallons affect this?

I went ahead and pumped it up to 20 PSI last night and did some shaking to get it to carbonate, tested this morning it is carbonated now.

Why did it not carbonate at 12 PSI for over a week? Any clues?

P.S. I tried to search for this, but no matter the key words I used, all I got was info on 3 gallon cornies...

NonServiam · 07-17-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMan

I put a 3 gallon batch in my 5 gallon corny keg, let it sit at 12 PSI for a week and a half now. It is not carbonated. Does the fact that it has only 3 gallons affect this?

I went ahead and pumped it up to 20 PSI last night and did some shaking to get it to carbonate, tested this morning it is carbonated now.

Why did it not carbonate at 12 PSI for over a week? Any clues?

As I understand it, 12 psi is 12 psi regardless of the volume occupied, and so it should have worked. You're sure the regulator and tank were open the whole time?

TheMan · 07-17-2009, 04:12 PM

That's what I thought. And yeah, the regulator and tank were open...it didn't drop pressure or anything so I figured it was absorbing properly. It was at 11-12 PSI every day I looked at it. If the tank or reg was not open properly then the keg pressure would have just dropped, correct?

**IrregularPulse** · 07-17-2009, 04:16 PM

You have more deadspace to fill with co2. But that shouldn't take to much time. What the temperature of the beer while carbonating? This place a BIG role in it's ability to absorb CO2. A general "Set it and Forget it" method takes 2 weeks. I usually start drinking mine at decent carb levels at one week. This is 12psi at 40-42 degrees. If you're room temp it will have a large effect on this. There are some good charts about carb level based on temp and pressure. Here's an example of one.

Also, have you check for leaks in the gas line?

TheMan · 07-17-2009, 04:25 PM

IP, I think you solved it right there. I was at 12 PSI at 65-70 degrees for most of that time. Just turned it down to 40-42 degrees Tuesday night. So it had only been at that for 2 days.

I will blame my friend lol. His beer needed fermenting at 65-70 and was in my freezer keeping my keg from carbing at proper temps...

**Cpt_Kirks** · 07-17-2009, 06:14 PM

Boyle can be a harsh master...

TheMan · 07-17-2009, 06:49 PM

yeah, i'm not much of a fan of him at the moment...I learned something though, invaluable lesson!

boogyman · 07-17-2009, 11:52 PM

If you haven't already, don't forget to purge the headspace after you hit it with CO2 to get rid of any oxygen in there. Then reconnect your gas line to carb.

meluvbeer · 07-18-2009, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogyman

If you haven't already, don't forget to purge the headspace after you hit it with CO2 to get rid of any oxygen in there. Then reconnect your gas line to carb.

I was about to post the same thing. when force carbing its important to purge out all oxygen.. Glad it's ok now...

chefmike · 07-18-2009, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cpt_Kirks

Boyle can be a harsh master...

ROTFLMAO