What CO2 to purge secondary with?

[nasmeyer]

It's probably some what unnecessary but I would like the ability to purge oxygen out of my secondary and bottle bucket using CO2. Can the small CO2 cylinders used for paintball guns and bicycle tire inflators be used for this, or do I have to use the more expensive food grade cylinders?

 

[benbradford]

co2 is co2... most agree that there is a blanket of co2 over the secondary that is formed, but maybe not much on the bottling bucket. If this is a concern, I might consider you think about closed fermentation and transfer practices...

 

[scoundrel]

It's probably some what unnecessary but I would like the ability to purge oxygen out of my secondary and bottle bucket using CO2. Can the small CO2 cylinders used for paintball guns and bicycle tire inflators be used for this, or do I have to use the more expensive food grade cylinders?

Nope those are fine. CO2 is CO2. For the record, I don't think its unnecessary. IMO it's good practice. You may go through cylinders fairly quick though.

 

[Dale_3rd]

You could always drop a block of dry ice in the bucket and let it sublime for a nice layer of CO2 in your secondary. I would think that your beer wouldn't absorb that much O2 in the hour or so it takes to bottle and would/should be unnecessary.

 

[HopSong]

Tire inflators would be VERY expensive way to go.. Give yourself a Christmas present and get a real CO2 cylinder.. great excuse to prep for kegging.

 

[scoundrel]

Tire inflators would be VERY expensive way to go.. Give yourself a Christmas present and get a real CO2 cylinder.. great excuse to prep for kegging.

Yep it works, but I agree, it would be expensive. Check around. I found a place that rents me a 20lb C02 tank for $3 a month and is $17 to fill. I fill it every year. It can even last up to 1 1/2 years.

 

[helibrewer]

I routinely purge every container before I fill it and the head space after I fill it. It's a habit from wine making and it is very cheap insurance. Invest in the CO2 tank even if it's just a 5lb tank.

 

[nasmeyer]

You could always drop a block of dry ice in the bucket and let it sublime for a nice layer of CO2 in your secondary. I would think that your beer wouldn't absorb that much O2 in the hour or so it takes to bottle and would/should be unnecessary.

Not a bad idea but the only place nearby sells $9-12 chunks of dry ice, so it probably would cost more to use ice than CO2, it also doesn't keep long.

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

Not a bad idea but the only place nearby sells $9-12 chunks of dry ice, so it probably would cost more to use ice than CO2, it also doesn't keep long.

Dry ice is dirty stuff. Don't go there.

M_C