That is the question.
I haven't been able to find this exact issue addressed on HBT. Cold liquid absorbs CO2 more readily; got that. But, is it really necessary (or even beneficial) to chill before hooking up the gas?
Example
I have a Belgian Pale Ale that has reached terminal gravity and is sitting in my fermenter at 72F. My keezer is set to 38F. I plan to put it on 11psi to get ~2.5 vols.
Should I:
a) Rack to the keg, chill overnight, then hook up the gas, or
b) Rack to the keg, hook up the gas, and let it carb while chilling.
Let's think through option a.
1) My CO2 regulator will pressurize the keg to 11 psi.
2) My 38F beer will absorb some amount of CO2, and my regulator will continue to equalize the pressure in the keg.
3) My beer will continue to absorb CO2 until it equalizes at 11psi.
Now let's consider option b.
1) My CO2 regulator will pressurize the keg to 11psi.
2) My 72F beer will absorb some amount of CO2.
3) As the beer cools, it will be able to absorb more-and-more CO2, and my regulator will continue to equalize the pressure in the keg.
4) Once the beer reaches 38F, it will continue to absorb CO2 until it equalizes at 11psi.
So, I'm not seeing the benefit of one method over the other. There's no danger of over-carbing, because the beer will be able to absorb more CO2 as it cools.
Can anyone tell me why I would want to pre-chill my beer before force carbonating?
I haven't been able to find this exact issue addressed on HBT. Cold liquid absorbs CO2 more readily; got that. But, is it really necessary (or even beneficial) to chill before hooking up the gas?
Example
I have a Belgian Pale Ale that has reached terminal gravity and is sitting in my fermenter at 72F. My keezer is set to 38F. I plan to put it on 11psi to get ~2.5 vols.
Should I:
a) Rack to the keg, chill overnight, then hook up the gas, or
b) Rack to the keg, hook up the gas, and let it carb while chilling.
Let's think through option a.
1) My CO2 regulator will pressurize the keg to 11 psi.
2) My 38F beer will absorb some amount of CO2, and my regulator will continue to equalize the pressure in the keg.
3) My beer will continue to absorb CO2 until it equalizes at 11psi.
Now let's consider option b.
1) My CO2 regulator will pressurize the keg to 11psi.
2) My 72F beer will absorb some amount of CO2.
3) As the beer cools, it will be able to absorb more-and-more CO2, and my regulator will continue to equalize the pressure in the keg.
4) Once the beer reaches 38F, it will continue to absorb CO2 until it equalizes at 11psi.
So, I'm not seeing the benefit of one method over the other. There's no danger of over-carbing, because the beer will be able to absorb more CO2 as it cools.
Can anyone tell me why I would want to pre-chill my beer before force carbonating?