Natural vs. Force Cabing in Keg?

[kmat123]

I am going to be building my first keezer over the next couple of months and whether I chose to force carb or natural carb is going to affect how I build my system. I hate to beat a dead horse as I have browsed some of the other threads on this debate, but thought I would post a poll and get the conversation going. Make your vote and tell us all why you prefer one method of carbonating your beers over another

 

[Jester369]

Force carb (set & forget) - I always know that the carb level will be just right!

 

[SevenFields]

Force carb (set & forget) - I always know that the carb level will be just right!

What do you set it at and for how long?

 

[Jester369]

Depends on the style and temp of the beer.

Here's a nice online calculator.

 

[SevenFields]

Sorry I am new to kegging, But how do you determine what the "Volume of CO2" is?

 

[JoeMama]

I personally like to do both when the mood suits me. (And depending on the style of beer)

If its a beer that does better with age, I like to prime my kegs because that gives me AT LEAST another 3 weeks of letting the beer age before I think about putting it on tap.

If its one of my IPAs, I tend to force carb them as they age with the dry hop (and I get thirsty rather quickly)

I like BOTH methods, and I do both depending on the style and my mood.
-Me

 

[Jester369]

No problem!

It's generally based on the style. There is an explanation and a table here. When you get a chance, check out the sticky kegging FAQ's - lots of really good info there

 

[samc]

Many will argue this point but to me Beer tastes different when carbed natural vs CO2 gas. I prefer the taste & control of CO2 gas. Could be that I stink at natural carbing but why fight it?

 

[chemman14]

what do you mean by "natural" carbing?

 

[WortMonger]

I love natural carbonating. I do mine towards the end of primary fermentation. I use a pressure vessel (Sanke keg) and a spunding valve to accomplish this when I am 2-4 points from estimated finishing gravity. Since I let my beer sit for 3-4 weeks in the primary vessel already carbonated, I don't have any waiting time "specifically" for just carbonating. It is just too easy, if you have the equipment.

 

[commonlaw]

I do both, just depends on the beer and my estimated drinking time frame.

 

[khiddy]

I'm going to try natural carbing like WortMonger described on my next ale. That gets me my primary fermenter back faster, and if it doesn't get enough carbonation in three weeks' time in the keg, I can always apply additional CO2, right?

 

[david_42]

Yes
No
Depends

 

[JoeMama]

what do you mean by "natural" carbing?

Natural carbing is where you basically 'prime' your keg (as you would in the bottling bucket) You add half of the suggested sugar you would add to the bottling bucket (only to the keg) before you rack your beer into the keg.

Hit the keg with 30psi to seal it, then let it sit and carbonate/condition like you would with the bottles.

Think of your keg as a 'Big Bottle' that you bulk age in
-Me

 

[JoeMama]

I'm going to try natural carbing like WortMonger described on my next ale. That gets me my primary fermenter back faster, and if it doesn't get enough carbonation in three weeks' time in the keg, I can always apply additional CO2, right?

Yes, and I have done this before too. I had 2 batches that I primed in the keg but got impatient and tapped one early. The carb level wasnt what I wanted so I forced it for a couple of days til I got it where I liked it.
-Me