Compressed Air

[baer19d]

Does anyone see an issue with using filtered compresses air to pressurize my 15GAL fermenter to transfer to a secondary fermenter or into kegs? I know that I should use CO2 but it takes so much to move that volume of beer.

 

[Revvy]

You'd more than likely end up with 15 gallons of wet cardboard...there is a big reason they use CO2 and not O2 in brewewing...Co2 doesn't cause oxidation.

 

[Brewmasters Warehouse]

I agree with Revvy, you would be risking an awful lot of beer by using compressed air instead of CO2.

 

[IrregularPulse]

Nobody has mentioned this yet, but you will most likely get oxidation

 

[AnOldUR]

. . . to pressurize my 15GAL fermenter to transfer to a secondary fermenter or into kegs. . .

No gravity where you live?

 

[IrregularPulse]

No gravity where you live?

I just got a 15G fermenter and am not exactly looking forward to lifting it 3-4 feet off the ground when full

 

[arturo7]

I just got a 15G fermenter and am not exactly looking forward to lifting it 3-4 feet off the ground when full

Pics?





67890

 

[ChshreCat]

I just got a 15G fermenter and am not exactly looking forward to lifting it 3-4 feet off the ground when full

Dig a hole to put your secondary in?

 

[Revvy]

I just got a 15G fermenter and am not exactly looking forward to lifting it 3-4 feet off the ground when full

I hate you for having one, but that won't stop me from helping you you bastid

Just get one of these....

Mount a plywood base on top of it, and put the fermenter on that....

 

[IrregularPulse]

Pics?

Bought THIS one. 40 shipped.

I hate you for having one, but that won't stop me from helping you you bastid

I actually am getting a new (To me) fermenting fridge for the garage tonight that I should be able to leave the fermenter sitting in it while trasnferring from BK. Now trasnferring from that to keg....hmmmm. I'll have to see what options I have with the fridge. maybe a jack system like you suggested in the fridge. Although I'd love to just buy a dang pump. But the store prefers money in exchange for pumps, I think that's ridiculous.

 

[Bobby_M]

In theory, if you flood the headspace with CO2, you should be able to introduce air and keep the protective layer of CO2 between the beer and air. However, the incoming air might create enough turbulence to cause mixing. Eh, 20lbs of CO2 is cheap and lasts a long time.

Edit: Cool, that was my 11,111 post.

 

[wild]

Bought THIS one. 40 shipped.

I picked up 5 of the same from my LHBS for free. They work great.

 

[wilserbrewer]

The pressure required for wort transfers is only a few psi. At that pressure you are not really using that much Co2, I'm estimating about a 1/4 pound of gas for 15 gallons.

In reality, I'm not sure how much O2 would be introduced into the beer w/ just a few psi for a few minutes assuming a nice silent transfer w/out splashing.. Might not be that great a concern if you are going to cold storage for near future consumption. Surely not an approach I would take on something you are looking to cellar.

 

[Revvy]

In theory, if you flood the headspace with CO2, you should be able to introduce air and keep the protective layer of CO2 between the beer and air. However, the incoming air might create enough turbulence to cause mixing. Eh, 20lbs of CO2 is cheap and lasts a long time.

Edit: Cool, that was my 11,111 post.

Yeah I was wondering about that, just how strong a co2 barrier would be and if it would be permeable by the o2 being pumped after.

 

[samc]

Edit: Cool, that was my 11,111 post.

you might want to buy a Lotto ticket today! or stay indoors, don't remember if all 1's are lucky or bad.

Thanks for all your informative posts!


On topic = CO2, oxygen would be a mistake IMO

 

[arturo7]

Yeah I was wondering about that, just how strong a co2 barrier would be and if it would be permeable by the o2 being pumped after.

I really don't think this barrier would be able to withstand even minimal turbulent flow caused by the incoming air. If the pressure is enough to move the beer, it is enough to disturb the CO2 layer.

 

[2-0turbo]

Also, compressed air, unless from an airless compressor is going to have fine droplets of compressor oil in it. You don't want it in your beer. Even with an airless compressor, the air coming out of the thing is anything but sanitary.

 

[IrregularPulse]

I picked up 5 of the same from my LHBS for free. They work great.

My LHBS is over an hour away and don't carry extract in bulk, plus they' probably still charge 50 bucks for the thing. Plus I didn't have to clean any sticky mess. I'm assuming it was Bulk extract container you got. Good deal for you though!

Also, compressed air, unless from an airless compressor is going to have fine droplets of compressor oil in it. You don't want it in your beer. Even with an airless compressor, the air coming out of the thing is anything but sanitary.

This is a very good point!