Red Oxygne Tank flow regulation

[brettwasbtd]

Wife just got me the O2 kit with stainless wand a 2 micron airstone from Williams brewing for Christmas. Pretty excited! I was wondering how you all control the flow rate on those red worthington/bernzomatic O2 bottles sold at the big box stores. Is it trial and error? Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[Bobby_M]

Yes but it's easy. Hold the wand so the stone is right against the carboy wall so you can see. Open the reg until you just barely see bubbles coming out. Drop it to the bottom and wait 60-90 seconds. You're not looking for a Jacuzzi here.

 

[cheezycow]

I just crank it until its a nice even flow and hold it there for about 20 secs or so. Anything crazy and it will start foaming up and out of the carboy

 

[brettwasbtd]

Yes but it's easy. Hold the wand so the stone is right against the carboy wall so you can see. Open the reg until you just barely see bubbles coming out. Drop it to the bottom and wait 60-90 seconds. You're not looking for a Jacuzzi here.

Awesome, thanks! How long do the 1.4 oz bottles last you with that method?

 

[Bobby_M]

I hear 12 batches using the minimalist non wasting method.

 

[samc]

I'd say it's a complete crap shoot. I don't have clear fermenters so Bobby's method won't work for me. I back it off a bit after seeing tons of bubbles on top, but without some kind of meter you really don't know what is happening. My ferments work fine so I guess I'm good enough. Just be careful with those valves as they can be flaky and also take it off after use or your liable to have a short life on the tank.

 

[JKoravos]

I hear 12 batches using the minimalist non wasting method.

Sounds about right, maybe a little low. I crack the regulator just enough to get flow. At that rate I get 18-20 minutes of oxygen flow from the 1.1 cu ft bottles.