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rinhaak · 09-27-2012, 08:19 PM

I'm looking forward to kegging my first beer this weekend. Been reading this post:

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/first-time-kegging-any-last-minute-tips-348039/index3.html

and found it quite helpful.

Got a rookie question, though: When I'm through drinking for the day, am I correct in assuming that I leave the CO2 tank on? I don't turn it off, correct?

As others have said, I'm finding it a bit daunting to keg this first beer. I've got a Nostalgia Electronics kegerator that's all in pieces and their instructions are weak. I'm assuming I'll figure it out soon enough, but it's been a while since I've felt this uncertain about a brewing procedure!

**two_hearted** · 09-27-2012, 08:22 PM

Yep, just leave it on your preferred PSI. I usually go somewhere between 8-12 PSI. Don't over tighten the regulator on the cylinder. I cranked it down with a wrench and cracked the plastic washer and lost all of my CO2. I hand tighten and ensure no leaking. If its not tight enough, I give it a slight tightening with my wrench.

**Face Eater** · 09-27-2012, 08:22 PM

You leave the pressure on until you finish the keg. It will keep the beer carbonated and be used to serve the beer.

rinhaak · 09-27-2012, 08:22 PM

And one more question: I was planning on drinking my first pint some time next week, but I leave town on the 7th of October for a week. If I tap the keg on the 2nd or 3rd, drink it for a few days, and then let it sit a week, am I damaging the beer? Am I better off waiting until I get back?

**Face Eater** · 09-27-2012, 08:24 PM

A long as there are no leaks on the gas or liquid side, you will have no problems leaving the beer sit. As long as you leave the co2 connected.

rinhaak · 09-27-2012, 08:27 PM

Cool! (I really didn't want to wait the extra week...)

**two_hearted** · 09-27-2012, 08:27 PM

Depending on your carbonation method, your beer might not be carbed for a week or two.

Aside from that, you can leave it for as long as you would leave a bottle of beer in your fridge. I've had kegs on tap for several months at a time.

rinhaak · 09-27-2012, 08:42 PM

I was going to use Beer-Lord's method:

Set it to 30 for 24 hours, then 20 for 48 hours then 10 for another 24 hours. Then set to target PSI and drink.

**BierMuncher** · 09-27-2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rinhaak

I was going to use Beer-Lord's method:

Set it to 30 for 24 hours, then 20 for 48 hours then 10 for another 24 hours. Then set to target PSI and drink.

No need to get so complicated.

If the beer is room temp when you put it into the chiller and hook up the gas, 30-36 hours at 30PSI then taste test.

If the beer is already chilled, the time range will be 24-30 hours, then taste test.

(Chilled liquids absorb CO2 much more readily than warm liquids.)

rinhaak · 09-27-2012, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BierMuncher

No need to get so complicated.

If the beer is room temp when you put it into the chiller and hook up the gas, 30-36 hours at 30PSI then taste test.

If the beer is already chilled, the time range will be 24-30 hours, then taste test.

(Chilled liquids absorb CO2 much more readily than warm liquids.)

Presumably before I drink it, I need to lower the target PSI to my drinking range, correct? Do I purge the keg before that? Or do I only purge early on to avoid oxidation?