Priming minikegs

[mChavez]

Hi!

I'll need to split my next batch into bottles and minikegs for a party.
I've read that minikegs need only half of the priming sugar that's needed for bottles - is that right?

Assuming I want to reach 2.4 vol CO2, then for bottles I'll need 2oz of table sugar, but for minikegs that would only be 1oz?

Just looking for someone with minikegs experience to confirm as I won't be popular if I bring 10 litres of flat beer to a party!

Thank you.

 

[twistr25]

What kind of time frame are you looking at?

From everything I found, I have to agree. It's mostly based off of volume. So if it's a 5L minikeg that's about 1.32 gallons and that amount at 2.4 volumes of CO2 is 1 oz priming table sugar. I may even go a touch lower, like 0.8 or 0.9 oz of sugar, it sounds like for some reason they over-carb pretty easy.

 

[Ster]

I always keg in minikegs, and use the Avanti party pub. At first I did the sugar calculation. Then I got lazy and primed all 5 gallons as I would for bottling.

I didn't notice any difference in mini keg carbonation. Now I am sure the experts could rattle off science to prove that it was very different, but I didn't notice it, and I have done combinations of bottles and minikegs for 8 batches now with no complaints.

It can be a little tricky though. First I vent the mini keg. It is already carbed fine. Then I add the co2, just enough to get to serving pressure, then I turn the regulator off. I only turn the regulator on when pressure drops under serving pressure. Otherwise the suger carbed beer builds up more pressure, plus the co2 and it gets foamy.

 

[CKing]

Not sure, but I think 1 tablespoon of corn sugar is adequate per 5 liter mini keg......they don't require much priming sugar.

 

[mChavez]

Twistr,
3 weeks in the keg minimum. Would timing have any effect?

Ster, so you never had a damaged keg when you primed with 2oz instead of 1?
I've read that if minikegs get deformed from overcarbing then rust kills them in no time.

 

[twistr25]

Twistr,
3 weeks in the keg minimum. Would timing have any effect?

3 weeks should be good. Just as in bottles it takes time for them to properly build up the pressure. Not to mention it'll benefit from the conditioning time as well.

 

[Ster]

No deformation at all.

I use the bungs from midwest with the small cap in the center. I punch out the cap with a screwdriver and insert the post from the tap.

Now if you don't have a co2 system.. you will want to get the venting bungs. Open the vent and pour from the spout on the bottom. I recommend consuming in 1 to 2 days.

 

[mChavez]

Thanks guys.

I'm buying a CO2 system so hopefully a tapped keg should last a month or so.

Ster, how do you vent the mini keg? insert tap, turn the keg upside down and let the gas out?

PS One of the beers for the party is a wheat beer that should have high carb level. Should I leave that one to go in glass bottles and carb at 3.5 or 2.4 will be ok?

 

[Mozart]

In terms of venting the mini-keg, the ones I've seen have a little plastic piece in the bung that you turn. This then allows some of the pressure to be released. Once the keg is vented, then tap.

 

[Ster]

I may be mistaken, but I belive the twisty vent caps are not tappable. You have to buy a gasket. Therefore you are better off getting the bungs with the center piece that you pop out and then tap. The piece falls in to the beer, so sterilize before you seal it. Afterwards you can fish out the cap and reuse it.

 

[mChavez]

Thanks!