BarleyWater
Well-Known Member
On a recent episode of Basic Brewing, they discussed different aeration methods and conducted some tests using a dissolved oxygen meter, and the results were very interesting.
The tests were shaking, aquarium pump, aquarium pump w/ 2 micron airstone, high volume pump, and high volume pump w/ 2 micron airstone. This high volume was roughly 10X higher than the regular aquarium pump sold at many LHBS. Tests with an oxygen tank were not conducted.
According to the tester, around 90% oxygen saturation is ideal for pitching yeast and oxygen testing occurred every 5 minutes. After 90 minutes of aeration, neither aquarium pump setup had done much good, reaching 70% and 79% respectively, and taking MUCH longer than I would ever want to aerate. The high volume pump setups faired a little better, but still not adequate enough for yeast pitching. After 90 minutes w/out an airstone it had finally reached around 90%, with an airstone, it reached 90% in about 25 minutes.
Now for the really surprising part. A simple good ol' shaking of the carboy, resulted in over 80% saturation after 5 minutes, and over 90% at 10 minutes. So contrary to popular belief, when purchasing a pump and airstone for aeration, you are actually being far less efficient, giving the yeast less than optimal conditions to work in, and worst of all wasting money on needless equipment.
So in conclusion, shaking is better than aeration, far better. So save your money, and shake it.
If anyone is interested or doesn't believe me, the podcast is available at Basic Brewing⢠: Home Brewing Beer Podcast and DVD - Welcome, it is the episode from 8/7/08 and comes with a PDF of the test and results.
The tests were shaking, aquarium pump, aquarium pump w/ 2 micron airstone, high volume pump, and high volume pump w/ 2 micron airstone. This high volume was roughly 10X higher than the regular aquarium pump sold at many LHBS. Tests with an oxygen tank were not conducted.
According to the tester, around 90% oxygen saturation is ideal for pitching yeast and oxygen testing occurred every 5 minutes. After 90 minutes of aeration, neither aquarium pump setup had done much good, reaching 70% and 79% respectively, and taking MUCH longer than I would ever want to aerate. The high volume pump setups faired a little better, but still not adequate enough for yeast pitching. After 90 minutes w/out an airstone it had finally reached around 90%, with an airstone, it reached 90% in about 25 minutes.
Now for the really surprising part. A simple good ol' shaking of the carboy, resulted in over 80% saturation after 5 minutes, and over 90% at 10 minutes. So contrary to popular belief, when purchasing a pump and airstone for aeration, you are actually being far less efficient, giving the yeast less than optimal conditions to work in, and worst of all wasting money on needless equipment.
So in conclusion, shaking is better than aeration, far better. So save your money, and shake it.
If anyone is interested or doesn't believe me, the podcast is available at Basic Brewing⢠: Home Brewing Beer Podcast and DVD - Welcome, it is the episode from 8/7/08 and comes with a PDF of the test and results.