Aerating Wort Question(s).

[native86]

I recently purchased an aeration wand now that I'm getting into bigger beers.

My first question is, can you aerate too much?

And I've read online of some people getting infections from poor sanitization. Is there some gouge on cleaning the thing other than starsan and boiling?

Thanks in advance.

(Sorry realized this should have been in equipment).

 

[WayFrae]

If you are using pure oxygen then yes you can aerate too much but I think it has to run for over 2 minutes to be too much. I am not certain on this though.

If you are using the wand with an aquarium pump and a HEPA filter then no you can't aerate too much.

As far as sanitation goes, just make sure it is clean and then sanitize it with starsan and you should be good to go.

 

[native86]

Thanks for the info, Yes I'm using 100% oxygen.

 

[WayFrae]

Thanks for the info, Yes I'm using 100% oxygen.

I was listening to an older Brew Strong episode and they recommend just using enough oxygen to fill the headspace in your carboy and then shaking it to get the wort to absorb as much oxygen as possible and also to save on oxygen.

 

[HumulusHead]

Last weekend while aerating my wort I dropped the damned pump into the wort. Had to jump in elbow deep and grab it. Pissed me right off.

I bought a wine degassing whip yesterday on Amazon that claims to double as a beer aerator. Connects to hand drill. Hopefully I don't drop that whole shebang in too.

But that may be an option too Cuz that def won't over aerate the wort.

 

[jekeane]

Boiling your stone and having the air on before putting in or pulling out can also help with sanitation and the life of the stone.

 

[scparks]

I was actually listening to an older BrewSmith with Chris Graham from MoreBeer. He said that with O2 no more than like 30 seconds for best results.

 

[native86]

Rog, thanks for the helpful responses. The thing has a dial on it, so I'm guessing full blast for 30 seconds and we'll see how this next batch goes. My beers above 1.10 have been stalling and I'm pretty sure the lack of aeration is why.

 

[user 141939]

They recommend to boil the stones for 15 minutes. This is because bacteria can be hiding in the tiny holes and the starsan might not kill it all.

 

[wardens355]

Here's a How to Brew article that touches on aeration of high gravity beer:

Fermenting High Gravity Beers: Techniques

My beers are typically under 1.080 and I usually oxygenate for 60 to 90 seconds, with the regulator just cracked so there isn't vigorous bubbling.

 

[The_Gerbil_Brewer]

I also advise boiling. Star San may not get into every pore.

If I remember correctly the ideal amount of O2 is 10 ppm in beer and the max you can get without pure oxygen is 8 PPM. Ideally you'd be able to measure, but that involves a pricey Oxygen meter. I do about 60 seconds for each 5 gallons and works fine for me. I'd say experiment - if 30 seconds doesn't give you good results, next time bump it up to 60 seconds, then 90, etc. Like a lot in homebrew I think it comes down to what works for you and your equipment.

 

[Rootski]

Last weekend while aerating my wort I dropped the damned pump into the wort. Had to jump in elbow deep and grab it. Pissed me right off.

I bought a wine degassing whip yesterday on Amazon that claims to double as a beer aerator. Connects to hand drill. Hopefully I don't drop that whole shebang in too.

But that may be an option too Cuz that def won't over aerate the wort.

I started using an aeration whip on a drill about 5 or 6 batches ago. Prior to that I just shook the carboy a little. I have noticed a big difference in my fermentations. They start much quicker and seem more vigorous. I have no data to back it up, but I have attributed it to better aeration.

 

[native86]

Thanks for all the gouge. Looking forward to the next batch with this thing.