Another first time kegger...help? please?

[dedhedjed]

So here's my situation...I just kegged my first batch, an India Brown Ale. My keezer will not be finished until probably Saturday evening, but I would love to have my beer as close to carbonated as possible when the keezer is finished. My keg will be at room temp (about 65 degrees) until the keezer is finished this weekend.

Suggestions for force-carbing methods for my somewhat unique situation? I've done searches trying to find a similar problem, but with no real luck.

I'm leaning toward leaving the keg on about 30-35 psi until the keezer is up and running, then bleed off excess pressure and reset to serving pressure around 11-12 psi. Does this sound like a good plan?

Thanks for the help!

 

[catspajamas]

i am in the same boat so i am not a great person to listen to, but i have the same plan as you. crank it to 30 psi for a seal and leave it in the basement. then when its done bleed it then put it on at 12 psi. from what i've read here it seems like a logical approach.

/me waits for people who know what they are talking about

 

[Yooper]

Yep, that sounds about right. Warmer beer will need more psi to carb up to the same level as a cold beer. Here's a chart: http://kotmf.com/articles/carbonation.php

It won't be fully carbed by this weekend, because it will take about 10 days-2 weeks to get fully carbed up at those temperatures and 30 psi. But you'll have a three day headstart, anyway. If you can chill the beer by putting it in a cooler or otherwise cool it, it'll carb faster at 30 psi.

 

[cedar_lake]

I am in the same situation-

brewing equipment? -Check
kegs? -Check
Temp controller- Check

Freezer? Ruh Roh.

12 days at 30lbs in my basement has gotten me pretty much where I want to be on carbonation. Dispensing it unchilled however, creates a big foamy head and rapid loss of said carbonation, so get it in a bucket of ice before you dispense!

 

[schmagy]

Most refrigerators will fit a corny laying down... put 30 on it and drop it in the fridge for 24 hrs. pull it out and add gas, Rolling/Shaking it for 5 minutes. Back in the fridge and repeat again in 1 hr increments till its close to where you want it. wont be perfect but will work.

 

[zymurgy101]

If you just kegged today, why is it that you must have it carbonated by the end of the keezer build on Saturday? Since I JUST finished my keezer build tonight, I understand your anxiety to use it immediately. However, don't you want to wait another couple of weeks for the malty goodness to condition?

That being said, here is another link regarding carbing from yesterday: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/how-do-you-carb-your-kegs-180558/

Hope this helps and congrats on the upcoming build!

 

[dedhedjed]

the only reason for the rush is that my father (who is a ridiculous woodworker) made the collar, complete with dovetails and no other fasteners, will be leaving monday morning, and I'd love to pour him a beer for his help...otherwise, there'd be no rush...but the beer has been aging in the secondary for over two weeks, so it shouldn't be too green.

 

[zymurgy101]

Point well taken, my friend! Ironically enough, I used only biscuit joints in my six inch collar. My buddy had a 10" miter saw as well as a biscuit joiner and was gracious enough to loan them to me for a few days. I'll get some pics up soon...and I'm sure everyone will want to see your Dad's skills as well!

 

[FenoMeno]

I just bought my kegging setup yesterday.

I am a bottler as I live further from town than the rest of the cronies. So...i wash,bottle,deliver,drink,repeat.

I stopped into the LHBS for some supplies, and walked out with a keg setup. good sales person. lol So, now all day I am reading up etc.
I went online to get a regulator guard, and also saw the "Williams QuickCarb device. An airstone connected to the bottom end of the dip tube. Way to easy to click Add to Cart! Opps. Supposed to carb "cold" beer in 6-24 hrs. did not list in catalog a temp, or how long for warmer kegs.

#S15 $39.90

 

[dedhedjed]

I've seen that air stone device...i'd love to hear how it works. and by the way, FenoMeno, brown eyed women is one of my all-time favorite garcia-hunter tunes.

 

[FenoMeno]

I've got another week in secondary before I keg. Then I'll give it a try and post the results.

"Bass great, Lesh Philling"

 

[brewthunda]

I can't see why you would need to bleed the keg. The tiny amount of C02 in the headspace will be absorbed into the beer as you chill the keg. Just reset the regulator to serving pressure.