Add CO2 to secondary before decanting

[royco]

Any merit in filling carboy (secondary) with CO2 to purge oxygen?
Aeration seems to be the biggest danger in secondary fermentation so surely this could eliminate the potential problem

 

[Hammy71]

Yes, if you have the capability, it would be a good practice to 'flush' your secondary vessel with CO2 before you rack your beer.

 

[jeffjm]

I'm probably pointing out the obvious here, but while flushing a carboy is a good idea, pressurizing it is not. Carboys are not pressure vessels and will shatter if too much pressure builds up inside.

I know you weren't talking about pressurizing, but in case some random searcher finds this and gets the wrong idea - flush, but don't pressurize.

<end of public service announcement>

 

[kerant]

Yesterday I made an IPA and racked on top a previous yeast cake. I started to think why not run a hose from top of new beer to top of one I just put in secondary to add C02 once the new one starts to ferment. Any thoughts on this.

 

[royco]

Thanks for feedback and jeez, kerant, is that lateral thinking or what?! I love that train of thought. But why not feed the CO2 into the secondary before adding beer? That way, no danger of oxidation during decanting.

 

[kerant]

Thanks for feedback and jeez, kerant, is that lateral thinking or what?! I love that train of thought. But why not feed the CO2 into the secondary before adding beer? That way, no danger of oxidation during decanting.

Didn't think of it till after. See how it works out.