Force Carbonation

Well - I't turned out that my attempt to naturally condition my hard cider in kegs did not go so well. Something about the poxy O-rings deciding not to seal. (I did pressure test them prior to filling them too - mutter)

Anyway, So onto force carbonating the stuff.

I got new O-rings, and set the regulator to 45psi and hooked up the hoses.
Great - I could hear the CO2 going in, local hbs said to Shake the kegs, I shook em, could hear even more CO2 going in.

Now I guess the question - how long to leave them at this pressure?
I want to dispense at 8-10 psi but if I turn the setting screw, i get cider squirting out of the release hole.
Should I blow off the pressure using the release valve then reconnect the hoses?

Will the cider in my regulator be a problem - how can I clean it out?

So many questions - I hope that you guys can help me

Thanks

Kilroy

Leave the kegs at 45 psi for about three days, then disconnect them and let them sit for another day in as cold a spot as you can find (about freezing). Then vent using the relief valve, re-connect the gas lines and dispense.

Cider isn't good for the regulator. There is a discussion on the boards about cleaning regulators, but I don't have the link. You might want to post that question seperately.

A good source of info about force carbonating:

http://byo.com/departments/620.html

Thank you both for the advice -
I found that post on cleaning regulators too

Kilroy

You can hook up your keg at your chosen serving pressure and just leave it. The cider will carbonate just fine. No need to f*rt around with artifical high pressures and shaking kegs- it's just wasted effort.

In your case, it caused the cider to back up into your regulator and possibly damage it.

The ONLY time the overpressure and shake routine is of benefit is when you need something carbonated immediately and can't wait a day or two.

hmm okay - clean it out tonight then - when I get home.

Thanks