Carbonating kegs at room temp?

Bytor1100 · 09-10-2008, 01:08 PM

I just got another 20lb Co2 tank and would like to carb my kegs before I put them in my kegerator. I know that Co2 dissolves into liquid better at colder temps but was wondering if it would be possible to hook up the kegs I have in my backlog to the Co2. They would probably sit on the Co2 for at least 2 weeks at 12PSI around 68*F. Would they be carbed by the time I put them on tap, or will additional carbing be needed when they are dropped to serving temp?

**Yooper** · 09-10-2008, 01:21 PM

That would work- except that you'd need to carb them at much higher pressure. Force Carbonation & Carb Table

It looks like 26 psi at 68 degrees, for 2.2 volumes of co2.

Special Hops · 09-10-2008, 01:22 PM

They will carb some but not fully unless you raise pressure as stated above.

lapaglia · 09-10-2008, 01:27 PM

For 2.5 units of C02 in a keg at 68F you need to carb it at 27.6 psi. The higher the temperature the higher the pressure. The same 2.5 at 40F 12.3 psi

This calculator here should help

It lets you set how much carbonation you want and at what temperature.

Bytor1100 · 09-10-2008, 01:45 PM

cool, that makes sense. thanks

**Bobby_M** · 09-10-2008, 02:58 PM

Just make sure you don't get any new leaks at those elevated pressures and you definitely need hose clamps on the tubing if you don't already have them.

homebrewer_99 · 09-10-2008, 03:42 PM

+1 on the hose clamps...

Phunhog · 09-19-2008, 10:30 PM

Ok mine have been sitting at about 28 psi for two days now at right around 70 degrees. Is it anywhere close to being carbed now? Or should I just let it sit for a week. Will it become over carbed??

Fett327 · 09-22-2008, 11:57 PM

I would leave it about a week at that pressure. I dont think you should worry about overcarbing since that is the proper pressure at 70 deg.
When you eventually put it in the kegerator, take it off the gas and let it sit overnight to chill. Then vent the keg and repressurize it at around 10psi (or whatever pressure you use). If everything worked out right then you should be good to go. Personally, I might want to vent the keg again after a day in the kegerator (just in case i overcarbed it at room temp).

**Yooper** · 09-23-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phunhog

Ok mine have been sitting at about 28 psi for two days now at right around 70 degrees. Is it anywhere close to being carbed now? Or should I just let it sit for a week. Will it become over carbed??

I'm not sure exactly how long it will take, but I would think one to two weeks at least. That's not a "quick" carb pressure at 70 degrees. When I force carb at fridge temps, I set it at 30 psi for about three days before it is even close to being carbed up. Since that's at 39 degrees, I would think it would be alot longer at 70 degrees.