"Kegging" to a Ukeg 128

[Oleary]

Just getting back into brewing but my first batch was a caribou slobber that spent 3 weeks in the primary then into the Ukeg on Sunday at 12 psi. Growlerwerks suggests that it will be ready in 3 days but I'm skeptical. I realize it probably won't hurt anything to pull a bit and test it but curious how long it should really stay in before it's 'good'.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice!

 

[bleme]

3 days should be carbonated. When I brewed Slobber, it really got better as it aged though, peaking at about 3 months.

 

[Oleary]

3 days should be carbonated. When I brewed Slobber, it really got better as it aged though, peaking at about 3 months.

Got'cha. Thanks! Maybe I'll try a little over the weekend.

It started out as a one gallon batch that I botched up pretty good. I ended up with about .75 gallons so the chance of it making the 3 month mark is about equal to my knowledge of brewing (i.e. none). Thanks again.

 

[Biscuits]

I have a uKeg 64 and have used it to force carbonate my beer before...worked just fine.

 

[Oleary]

I have a uKeg 64 and have used it to force carbonate my beer before...worked just fine.

Great thanks!

Would it make any sense to bottle from the uKeg. It would free up the uKeg to carbonate another batch and allow the beer to condition in the bottle. I'm not sure I'm patient enough to let the beer condition in the uKeg. Too easy to pull a beer from.

It doesn't make sense to purchase more for carbonating. I'm guessing I could get a 'real' keg system for about the same price?

 

[Biscuits]

I suppose you could, but those CO2 cartridges aren't cheap (to me) and the cost can add up. I usually only use the uKeg for normal growler fills since I don't have the larger sleeve...so even when I force carbonate, it takes more than 1 cartridge to carb and dispense. If the cost isn't an issue for you I'd say go for it.

 

[Oleary]

I suppose you could, but those CO2 cartridges aren't cheap (to me) and the cost can add up. I usually only use the uKeg for normal growler fills since I don't have the larger sleeve...so even when I force carbonate, it takes more than 1 cartridge to carb and dispense. If the cost isn't an issue for you I'd say go for it.

Good point. Pretty expensive way to carbonate compared to the alternatives.

 

[OzarkPA]

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but got a black friday deal on a ukeg 128 and finally thought I would try a little BIAB or kit brew batch and this is where my search brought me. I was just about to try a BIAB when I last brewed, when a little tree stand accident left me with a broken back and I was a little busy for a while but finally ready to get back into the swing of things!

Last time I brewed, I was bottling, but thought this might be a time saver without having to deal with bottles. For a gallon batch, should I shoot for something around a 1.5 gallon initial BIAB boil?