Bottles into a keg.

[bashe]

I have some beer I bottled about 3 months ago and did not use enough priming sugar so I am going to put them into a keg. (I have read on here of others doing this) What I want to know is should I put the beer into a bucket first then into the keg or just dump the bottled into the keg. I am thinking bucket then keg because it seems easier to dump in the bucket and not accidentally aerate the beer.

 

[ChshreCat]

I'd think that you'd be pouring it twice and aerating it twice if you use the bucket.

 

[mysteryberto]

You could also add carbing tabs and more yeast if it's been too long. I would try to minimize aeration maybe you siphoning with an autosiphon would keep that to a minimum?. Another idea if you're going to dump straight from bottles is to purge the keg with CO2 first.

 

[BoxofRain]

Along the same lines here. I have about 2 cases of a batch I bottled. They are fully carbed but I'm looking to keg the batch. Any consideration other than dumping them, letting them settle and setting the regulator to serving pressure?

 

[Parva]

If I had to keg fully carbonated bottles of beer I would pressure an empty, sanitized keg, purge, re-pressurise and purge then remove the lid. Pour the bottles straight in whilst attempting to run the beer down the inside of the keg as much as possible. Once all the bottles are in, Cornie lid on, pressurise to 30PSI, vent, re-pressurise and then leave till required for drinking.

I am assuming Cornie kegs or similar here where forced carbonation can take place if it's necessary. The same could be applied to a plastic barrel but with much less pressure and more risk of losing the carbonation in the bottles (not to mention usage of CO2 in the sparklets or small CO2 cylinders).

 

[bashe]

I preseurized the keg, purged then removed the lid and poured the bottled into the keg. Everything seemed to go well. I have been rolling the keg around every-so-often to force carb and I will give it a try tomorrow night.

 

[BoxofRain]

If I had to keg fully carbonated bottles of beer I would pressure an empty, sanitized keg, purge, re-pressurise and purge then remove the lid. Pour the bottles straight in whilst attempting to run the beer down the inside of the keg as much as possible. Once all the bottles are in, Cornie lid on, pressurise to 30PSI, vent, re-pressurise and then leave till required for drinking.

I am assuming Cornie kegs or similar here where forced carbonation can take place if it's necessary. The same could be applied to a plastic barrel but with much less pressure and more risk of losing the carbonation in the bottles (not to mention usage of CO2 in the sparklets or small CO2 cylinders).

I preseurized the keg, purged then removed the lid and poured the bottled into the keg. Everything seemed to go well. I have been rolling the keg around every-so-often to force carb and I will give it a try tomorrow night.

Kegging newb here:

What's the reasoning behind pressurizing the keg prior to adding the beer?

 

[mysteryberto]

Kegging newb here:

What's the reasoning behind pressurizing the keg prior to adding the beer?

When you purge the keg there is a blanket of CO2 inside of the keg. If you don't purge the keg there will just be air and you will aerate your beer while transferring.

 

[Parva]

Yep, exactly as Mysteryberto said. CO2 is heavier than air so when you pressurise, purge, pressurise, purge and remove the lid you'll see a blanket of CO2 'fog'. I always use this method when adding beer to a keg as it gives that extra element of safety.

 

[BoxofRain]

When you purge the keg there is a blanket of CO2 inside of the keg. If you don't purge the keg there will just be air and you will aerate your beer while transferring.

Yep, exactly as Mysteryberto said. CO2 is heavier than air so when you pressurise, purge, pressurise, purge and remove the lid you'll see a blanket of CO2 'fog'. I always use this method when adding beer to a keg as it gives that extra element of safety.

Great advice and explanation guys. Appreciate your time.