Jester4176
Well-Known Member
Before someone mentions it...because I'm a n00b to this forum...I did a search for my questions before asking them. I am new to the homebrew kegging scene, but have all the equipment I need from my old kegerator in college. I no longer have the kegerator, so I don't have a space for the soda kegs. Tried arguing the wife for a new kegerator, but I lost.... So I'm looking at the mini-kegs because they'll fit in the kitchen fridge. I have been reading about using these, and see more negative feedback than positive on them.
I came across another thread that has this listed:
Has anyone done this? If so, how did the beer turn out? Also, how much head space do you leave at the top of the mini-keg? And will the oxygen in that headspace disturb the flavor of the beer? Also...would the beer in the soda keg HAVE to be chilled, or can it be carbonated warm for a few days and then transferred to the mini-keg? How long would these mini-kegs last like this?
I'd REALLY like to get away from bottling, even though I use 24oz bottles to ease the pain of bottling. But not having a spare fridge for a kegerator, I'm limited to mini-kegs or bottling. Trying to figure out a way to use the mini kegs with success.
I came across another thread that has this listed:
Filling the Mini Keg with finished beer.
If you would like to fill the mini keg with a finished beer from a larger keg. Follow these steps.
1) Pre-chill the mini keg to the same or colder temperature than the beer temperature.
2) Raise the Co2 volume of the beer being transferred. If the beer is in a five gallon keg, raise the Pressure by 10 psi. and shake the keg three to four times for 24 hours to introduce a higher C02 volume.
3) After the beer has acquired a higher volume of Co2. lower the pressure to 2 psi. Transfer the beer into the mini keg by filling the pre-chilled keg from the bottom up. Insert the bung and refrigerate.
By over carbonating the beer before it goes into the mini keg you compensate for the lose during the filling. With the mini keg cold the beer retains more of the Co2 by not getting hot and evaporation the Co2.
Has anyone done this? If so, how did the beer turn out? Also, how much head space do you leave at the top of the mini-keg? And will the oxygen in that headspace disturb the flavor of the beer? Also...would the beer in the soda keg HAVE to be chilled, or can it be carbonated warm for a few days and then transferred to the mini-keg? How long would these mini-kegs last like this?
I'd REALLY like to get away from bottling, even though I use 24oz bottles to ease the pain of bottling. But not having a spare fridge for a kegerator, I'm limited to mini-kegs or bottling. Trying to figure out a way to use the mini kegs with success.