Non Force Carb question

[duffman2]

Ok guys, I looked at all the Force carb posts and decided that I could wait more than a couple of days to try my first kegged beauty. So, I'm doing the "set and forget" method but I want to make sure I'm even doing this right.

So far I racked to keg, sealed lid with 20 psi (3 times) and left it on the CO2 in my 60 F garage for 5 days. Then I put it in my 42 F freezer for the last 2 days at serving pressure (12 psi).

So, now what? Let it go another week then give it a shot? Another 2 weeks?

And on a side note, my double choc stout I'm doing this week has been recommended to me to bottle for a long time. Up to 3 months for proper conditioning. Should I age longer in a keg as well, or do the bottle conditioning rules not apply to the keg conditioning rules in regards to time required?

Thanks everyone

 

[DKershner]

So, now what? Let it go another week then give it a shot? Another 2 weeks?

Thanks everyone

You should've never disconnected it. Leave it connected to the keg at 12psi.

EDIT: I reread your post.

Force carbing set and forget method:
1. Put keg in kegerator
2. Connect gas at desired level of carbonation (12psi)
3. Purge tank of O2 (Pull the release thingy)
4. Do it again.
5. Go away and come back in 3 weeks.

At this point, I would purge the tank one more time to make sure your 20psi hasn't stuck around, then leave it at 12psi for another 2 weeks to ensure you have the correct level of carbonation.

 

[Hammy71]

Also you can age in your kegs just as easy as you can in the the bottles.

 

[Yooper]

I just glanced at this carb chart http://sdcollins.home.mindspring.com/ForceCarbonation.html and it looks like 60 degrees with 20 psi is fine, and equal to 46 degrees at 12 psi. If your kegerator is at 42, you're on track to have 2.39 volumes of CO2. I like to try it early, but keep in mind that the first pint will be very yeasty. I usually take a little bit, and pour it out, then pour the rest of my glass. It should be fairly close to carbed up in just a couple more days.

 

[Yooper]

(By the way, it's still force carbing. Since you're forcing carbonation with co2, instead of using sugar to "natural" carb).

 

[duffman2]

I just glanced at this carb chart http://sdcollins.home.mindspring.com/ForceCarbonation.html and it looks like 60 degrees with 20 psi is fine, and equal to 46 degrees at 12 psi. If your kegerator is at 42, you're on track to have 2.39 volumes of CO2. I like to try it early, but keep in mind that the first pint will be very yeasty. I usually take a little bit, and pour it out, then pour the rest of my glass. It should be fairly close to carbed up in just a couple more days.

Sweet Yooper! I'm glad my first keg should be on track. One little thing though, I just realized that I never sanitized my hoses. I'm not worried about it. I'll disconnect the hose from CO2 and run sanitizer through it before rehooking it back up for my first pour! It truly is pure torture waiting on the first one!

 

[wildwest450]

Sweet Yooper! I'm glad my first keg should be on track. One little thing though, I just realized that I never sanitized my hoses. I'm not worried about it. I'll disconnect the hose from CO2 and run sanitizer through it before rehooking it back up for my first pour! It truly is pure torture waiting on the first one!

Not necessary.

 

[duffman2]

Not necessary.

Not necessary at all? Brand new hoses from kegconnection and haven't sanitized the hoses but you say I don't need to for the gas or the liquid side either?

 

[Yooper]

For the liquid side, you probably should. I don't remember if I did or not, but you probably should! For gas, nope. No need.

 

[wildwest450]

Not necessary at all? Brand new hoses from kegconnection and haven't sanitized the hoses but you say I don't need to for the gas or the liquid side either?

I would definitely clean the liquid side before use, I assumed that was a given. Remember sanatizing is NOT claening. If you clean your lines regularly, there is no need to sanitize them. And by cleaning I mean closed loop cleaning, I use the kit on this page. http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/line-cleaning-cid-59.html

If it makes you feel better, clean out the gas side too.

 

[Jmiltime]

I am a sanitizing freak so when I am rinsing the keg, I pour sanitized solution into a cup and dip the gas disconnect in the sanitizer before connecting it. You may not have any issues but you have spent too much time to take any chances and it only takes a few extra seconds.

As far as waiting, your keg should be carbed nicely after a week or so and I like to take 'samples' to check the carb level, see what the beer tastes like and I also learn a lot by paying attention to how the beer changes over time. Tough part is keeping 'samples' from emptying the keg .. Good luck!