Pressure fermentation in the same keg that the beer gets served from.

[CascadesBrewer]

It's worth putting a stainless steel nut on the silicone dip tube. The extra weight helps to pull the tube down and the intake below the surface. Also make sure tube is not much longer than length to the bottom of the keg. I had real problems with this using fermentasaurus mark III without a filter and the inlet kept getting trapped inside the little ring that the float was attached to.

I emptied the keg the other day and snapped a picture. At this point, any trub/yeast had gotten stirred up a bit. It was pouring very clear until I started to get foam. Maybe a little longer length of hose or a weight would get a little more beer, but I doubt much. I measured right around 1/2 gallon of beer/trub/yeast liquid.

Overall, I was pretty happy with the results of my first time fermenting in a keg. I am also very happy fermenting in my Fermonster fermenters, but I will play around more with keg fermenting.

 

[DuncB]

Ahh I see a slightly different arrangement for the float and tube with your setup.
Weight on tube and a bit more length might help there. Or a ring to link the float to the tube as per the kegland keg king type floats and a nut.

 

[majik hat]

I was happy with the Clear Beer Draught System which always sets below the liquid line and has a filter. I have not tried it with dry hops in the keg but they claim it's a great way to do so. If I ferment in the keg I'll use it for sure.

 

[Brews and Blues]

You could also opt to run a regular blow-off tube for the first 1-3 days, get the vigorous activity past, then start spunding for the rest of the fermentation. This is the route I would suggest.

For a blow off tube, would you do just a ball lock connector with tubing coming off of the gas post into a bucket of water? I may go this route just so i don't create a mess

 

[renstyle]

For a blow off tube, would you do just a ball lock connector with tubing coming off of the gas post into a bucket of water? I may go this route just so i don't create a mess

You got it!

 

[Carolina_Matt]

For a blow off tube, would you do just a ball lock connector with tubing coming off of the gas post into a bucket of water? I may go this route just so i don't create a mess

After I pitch yeast, I don't put a gas post onto the keg right away. I put a 1/2" silicone tube directly into the keg opening, then into a growler with water on the bottom. It makes for easier cleanup, instead of having to clean out the gas post and ball lock connector.

 

[renstyle]

After I pitch yeast, I don't put a gas post onto the keg right away. I put a 1/2" silicone tube directly into the keg opening, then into a growler with water on the bottom. It makes for easier cleanup, instead of having to clean out the gas post and ball lock connector.

Good point on the cleanup. Do you unscrew the gas post for the first few days to attach the 1/2" silicone tube? Or perhaps the PRV hole with the PRV set aside?

So far for me, a little starSan spray to clear potential gunk in the gas QD and the exterior of the post has worked reasonably well.

I've been using one of these:

https://www.williamsbrewing.com/Hom...ibution-Parts/Molded-Carbonation-Cleaning-Cap
...with a short length of EVA barrier attached inside a PET soda bottle to clean the gas tube once the keg has kicked (or transferred to serving, as you like), as you can pressurize the bottle or just fill-n-squeeze.

Since I generally xfer from ferm-keg to serv-keg, I haven't had issues with the gas poppet getting stuck. Using the keg as ferm+serv combo tho, I can see the benefit of keeping the gas post mostly clear of funk.

 

[renstyle]

For a blow off tube, would you do just a ball lock connector with tubing coming off of the gas post into a bucket of water? I may go this route just so i don't create a mess

I started with a growler 1/2 full of starSan solution as the blowoff vessel, and dealt with excess bubbling (suds) which topped my growler a few times when the fermentation was particularly vigorous.

I am certain that my choice of using an extra length of 4mm EVA Barrier, which makes more/smaller bubbles added to this (was like a mini beer-scented washer from a sitcom LOL).

I opted to keep the 4mm line and switch to using vodka in the blow-off growler, as I had some available, so far so good. starSan solution in the blow-off vessel should be fine with a larger diameter line tho.

 

[odie]

After I pitch yeast, I don't put a gas post onto the keg right away. I put a 1/2" silicone tube directly into the keg opening, then into a growler with water on the bottom. It makes for easier cleanup, instead of having to clean out the gas post and ball lock connector.

So 1/2 silicone hose will fit over the threaded gas post on the keg? You just have the fitting, poppet and dip tube removed?

 

[DuncB]

Using the kegland T piece you can dump into the first ( I use a small pet bottle 250ml ) and then Blow off tube from the other port into the under water valve in the growler. No pressure on the system this way for good expression and really easy top harvest of yeast.

 

[renstyle]

Using the kegland T piece you can dump into the first ( I use a small pet bottle 250ml ) and then Blow off tube from the other port into the under water valve in the growler. No pressure on the system this way for good expression and really easy top harvest of yeast.

I have that tee, as well as a 2nd carb cap. What a FANTASTIC idea!

I'm gonna try this in-line between a ferm-keg and my starSan keg when I purge it for later use!

 

[DuncB]

Sorry I haven't got photos but it's self explanatory. Wonderful when I did a wheat beer with the krausen that came off that.

 

[renstyle]

Sorry I haven't got photos but it's self explanatory. Wonderful when I did a wheat beer with the krausen that came off that.

Yeah, I can visualize it in me' noggin.

I hadn't considered the top cropping capability until you'd mentioned it. I'm gonna give that a try soon as well.

 

[odie]

Well, brewed my first "keg fermented" beer last night. Did a Cali Common. Anchor Steam clone.

I test filled a corny and 5 gal brings it to just below the lower "seam". The keg took another 5 pints before topping out. 4 pints I could still work the lid. 5 pints and it was completely topped. So it appears there is "functionally" 4 pints of head space when you factor in the depth of the gas dip tube. My wort volume to the kettle on this batch was approx. 5 gal plus one pint.

Since I screen my entire kettle before the fermenter, I have about 1/2 pint total yeast cake in my fermenters. My OG gravity sample pictured is the very end running's of the kettle. The entire kettle of wort went into the keg but there is no trub in the keg.

I did NOT cut the pickup tube. I plan to catch the yeast cake when I tap the keg.

I used the 1/2 silicone tubing that was mentioned by Carolina_Matt. I didn't like how it pinches when curving over into the dump bucket so I got a package of 3/4" PEX Shark Bite elbows to make a simple "U-turn" in the blow off tubing.

Once the krausen stops filling the dump bucket I will re-install the gas post and spund in some manner. Or I could even just seal the keg and let the PRV vent. But that would result in the beer over carbing...but I can always pull the release a few times to bring it back down.

 

[ThenFalcon]

Since I screen my entire kettle before the fermenter, I have about 1/2 pint total yeast cake in my fermenters. My OG gravity sample pictured is the very end running's of the kettle. The entire kettle of wort went into the keg but there is no trub in the keg.

Wow, that's some clear wort you've got there! What kind of brewing/filtering system are you using?

 

[Brews and Blues]

Well, brewed my first "keg fermented" beer last night. Did a Cali Common. Anchor Steam clone.

I test filled a corny and 5 gal brings it to just below the lower "seam". The keg took another 5 pints before topping out. 4 pints I could still work the lid. 5 pints and it was completely topped. So it appears there is "functionally" 4 pints of head space when you factor in the depth of the gas dip tube. My wort volume to the kettle on this batch was approx. 5 gal plus one pint.

Since I screen my entire kettle before the fermenter, I have about 1/2 pint total yeast cake in my fermenters. My OG gravity sample pictured is the very end running's of the kettle. The entire kettle of wort went into the keg but there is no trub in the keg.

I did NOT cut the pickup tube. I plan to catch the yeast cake when I tap the keg.

I used the 1/2 silicone tubing that was mentioned by Carolina_Matt. I didn't like how it pinches when curving over into the dump bucket so I got a package of 3/4" PEX Shark Bite elbows to make a simple "U-turn" in the blow off tubing.

Once the krausen stops filling the dump bucket I will re-install the gas post and spund in some manner. Or I could even just seal the keg and let the PRV vent. But that would result in the beer over carbing...but I can always pull the release a few times to bring it back down.

Perfect timing, Odie. I'm planning on doing this on Sunday for the first time and would love some feedback.
I'm doing a dry hopped black IPA. My plan:
Have the gas post attached with a connector as well. Off of the connector, I will have tubing for a blow off tube going to a growler of Star San. After 5 days, I will dry hop, leaving the blow off tube for until day 7, then replace that with the spunding valve until fermentation is complete. Then move to the kegerator, add CO2.

Does anyone see any issues with my blow off tube set up?

 

[odie]

Wow, that's some clear wort you've got there! What kind of brewing/filtering system are you using?

I use a 5 gal bucket strainer. 100-200 micron range I think. The entire kettle gets run thru so 100% of the wort is captured in the fermenter. I'm having to reduce all my old recipes ingredients by 10% to make my targets. The kettle sits for a couple hours, open the spigot and run about 4 gal thru the strainer before it clogs. Then dump all the rest in and let it sit a few hours or overnight. Nothing but a damp trub cake to toss away.

 

[odie]

Have the gas post attached with a connector as well. Off of the connector, I will have tubing for a blow off tube going to a growler of Star San. After 5 days, I will dry hop, leaving the blow off tube for until day 7, then replace that with the spunding valve until fermentation is complete. Then move to the kegerator, add CO2.

Does anyone see any issues with my blow off tube set up?

From what others have posted I think it will clog. The fittings are pretty narrow. I'm just gonna slip a hose over the bar post threads for bow off until it slows down. Then install the actual post and connector to finish up.

 

[Brews and Blues]

From what others have posted I think it will clog. The fittings are pretty narrow. I'm just gonna slip a hose over the bar post threads for bow off until it slows down. Then install the actual post and connector to finish up.

What size hose are you using to go over that post?

 

[odie]

1/2 silicone as was recommended to me by another. Seems to fit snug so I did not use a clamp. I will find out soon if that was a mistake.

 

[Brews and Blues]

I may follow your lead then... i have extra clamps. Thanks for the help

 

[Brews and Blues]

Brewed my black IPA yesterday. Fermenting in the keg. Blow off tube going to a growler of Star San a little extra tupperware just in case.
Also my first time controlling temps with my Inkbird and chest freezer and man, it is holding my temp steady as can be! I went with 63 degrees. Going to dry hop day 5, switch to spunding valve on day 7, and then hopefully reach FG by day 14 and move to the kegerator to carb. If this goes well, i have definitely nailed down my process. No transfers or syphoning. Got the floating dip tub installed. for instant clear beer. I'm really pumped for this

 

[odie]

When I dry hopped a keg....I used a nylon stocking...women's department at Wal Mart. I put all the hops in that and then added a ping pong ball. It allowed the hop sock to float since my pick up tube is at the bottom. I figured the sock at the bottom would result in nothing but pure hop bomb flavor on every pour. Plus if needed, I could always open the lid and pull the sock since it floats.

 

[odie]

that is one super tiny freezer. what size? 3cf?

 

[Brews and Blues]

I'm not exactly sure but i think the camera angle makes it look a little smaller. It isn't huge though. Once i figured out how to program the Inkbird, its worked perfectly though. This method has a lot less equipment which means a lot less cleaning. I'm pretty stoked to not have to transfer to a keg in a couple weeks. Maybe eventually i will start close transferring to a different serving keg to get the beer off of the trub, but one step at a time. If i dig it just like this, i might not change.

 

[odie]

Did a quick yeast capture off the keg. Regular dip tube. I dropped the keg psi to 10. Attached a picnic tap and burped the bottom yeast out to use in another beer. Got a pint jar full of foam, which settled out to about 1/3 plus some yeast cake. The wort was all screened so there is no/minimal hops & trub.

This keg is still fermenting out so the yeast should be pretty active when I pitch it later today in beer number 2.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

This keg is still fermenting out so the yeast should be pretty active when I pitch it later today in beer number 2.

That is an interesting benefit that I had not thought about.

 

[odie]

I call it a "yeast thief" lol. Maybe I should patent it? nah...too easy to copy and DIY...

once the sample settles a bit, I'll decant into a hydrometer to check the gravity on beer #1 and then pitch the yeast layer into beer #2.

 

[cmac62]

I call it a "yeast thief" lol. Maybe I should patent it? nah...too easy to copy and DIY...

once the sample settles a bit, I'll decant into a hydrometer to check the gravity on beer #1 and then pitch the yeast layer into beer #2.

do you have any clue as to the cell count? Not that I even pay any attention to pitching calculators, but it looks like a lot less than a 2L starter would produce. LOL.

 

[DuncB]

@odie

I wonder how much pressure a ping pong ball can resist. It coped ok with 15 psi ?