First time kegging

[Gooser]

I have about 2.5 gallons in a 5 gallon corny that is ready for carbonation. I'll be grabbing a smaller corny in the near future for small batches but for now this is what I'm working with. I planned on doing the carbonation using the longer method but I've been slacking and am now up against some time constraints and I need to have this ready by Friday.

If I use the method I saw below on youtube with a half full keg, will it still work the same?

1) Keg the beer making sure all O2 is purged and you are using sanitary practices.
2) Hook up the CO2 line to the line in on the keg
3) Set the CO2 to 30PSI
4) Turn the keg on its side and rock gently back and forth for 45secs to 1 min
5) Place the keg in the refridgerator for 18-24 to let the CO2 go into solution
6) After the 24 hours pull the pressure release valve one time and hook the keg up to your dispensing system

Thanks for any info and I promise, no shortcuts next time until I know exactly what I'm doing

 

[mongoose33]

If it were me, I'd try rocking that keg for 4-5 minutes at 30psi, then use a picnic tap and see what you have. You'll need to drop the PSI to something like 10 to do that, but you can check and see your progress.

I do this with a full keg but you'll have a lot more surface area for the CO2 to be absorbed.

Also: this works best if the beer is cold; cold crash it to about 37 degrees.

I'm a little hinky about doing it over 24 hours--if you overcarbonate, you have to futz around w/ releasing pressure, letting it build, releasing pressure....

Just a thought. At some point I'm going to build myself a gauge I can connect to the Gas In post to check on pressure after I've done the rocking. I think I can determine just how much rocking, at which pressure, lets me force carb it as quickly as possible.

 

[Gooser]

Thanks, I didn't realize you could do it that quick. So after you check the first time, if it needs a bit more do you just hit it at 30psi for a couple more minutes then check again?

It's been sitting at 39 degrees for a few days now. I'll give it a shot tonight

 

[SGTSparty]

If you have till Friday set it at 30 psi for 36 hours, turn of the co2 purge, set to serving temp and turn back on. By Friday you'll be good.