Leave the Gas On?

Vismich · 12-14-2011, 02:47 AM

I kegged for the first time tonight. I have the gas set to 10PSI, and I guess it's carbonating.

My question is, do I leave the gas turned on while it's carbonation?

How long does that process take?

**AZ_IPA** · 12-14-2011, 02:48 AM

Depending on temperature, at least a week.

And yes, keep the gas on as over the next week it will equalize at 10 psi.

**BainbridgeBrewer** · 12-14-2011, 02:52 AM

Yeah, leave it on. AZ IPA is right, depending on the temp you have it sitting at, it should take a week or two to be right.

**copyright1997** · 12-14-2011, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ_IPA

And yes, keep the gas on as over the next week it will equalize at 10 psi.

As long as the OP doesn't have a leak. I found out the hard way (had to replace 15# of CO2 that I had just gotten filled up a couple weeks before!)

Now I have a keg pressure checker that I use on kegs to validate they are keeping their pressure and not slowly leaking somewhere.

Vismich · 12-14-2011, 10:07 AM

A week? I thought a benefit to legging was how quick it carbonated?

**OG2620** · 12-14-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vismich

A week? I thought a benefit to legging was how quick it carbonated?

Better than two or three, no?

There are quicker methods to force carbonating.

Clonefarmer · 12-14-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

As long as the OP doesn't have a leak. I found out the hard way (had to replace 15# of CO2 that I had just gotten filled up a couple weeks before!)

Now I have a keg pressure checker that I use on kegs to validate they are keeping their pressure and not slowly leaking somewhere.

You can also use a spray bottle with Starsan to check for leaks.

**wilserbrewer** · 12-14-2011, 01:41 PM

24 - 36 hours at 30 psi will speed the process, be forwarned that over carbonation can and will occur if you are excessive. Cold beer will carb faster as well.

**Yooper** · 12-14-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilserbrewer

24 - 36 hours at 30 psi will speed the process, be forwarned that over carbonation can and will occur if you are excessive. Cold beer will carb faster as well.

That's right.

There are ways to make it carb up faster- rolling and shaking the keg for example. But few people can do this well, without either having foamy overcarbed beer, or a "carbonic acid bite" to the beer with the fresh carbonation.

But if you want a fool-proof way to faster carbonation, you can do what wilserbrewer says. Turn the gas on the keg (while it's in the kegerator) up to 30 psi for 36 hours. Then, purge, and reset to 12 psi. Pull out a couple of ounces (it'll be sludgy and yucky) and dump that. Then you could have a sample of slightly undercarbed beer (but it will be pretty good). In two more days, it should be just about perfect but will continue to improve for up to a week.

My preference is to "set it and forget it" and have perfectly carbed, clear beer in a week to 10 days. But you can drink it about 5 days faster with the quicker carbing method if you remember to turn it down after 36 hours.

**copyright1997** · 12-14-2011, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clonefarmer

You can also use a spray bottle with Starsan to check for leaks.

Yes, thanks I've done that. For whatever reason, I've had some with very s_l_o_w leaks for which the bubbles don't show up (or I am not patient enough to see) using Starsan.