What equipment should I get, dazed and confused.

[RyPA]

You are fermenting in a keg? If so, at least you avoid exposure for not having to do a transfer.

Sounds like a plan, I'd do 5 or 10 CO2 purges for good measure

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

@RyPA
In another post: Fermenting under pressure
"I've decided to purchase another Inkbird WiFi ITC-308 Digital Temperature Controller Thermostat Remote Monitoring Controlling Home Brewing Fermentation Breeding Incubation Greenhouse: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific to use with Amazon.com: iPower GLHTMTLX2 2-Pack Durable Waterproof Seedling Heat Mat 48" x 20" Warm Hydroponic Plant Germination Starting Pad, Black : Everything Else and stick the fermenter inside a small refrigerator I'll take my bottled beer out of and stick it in there. I don't want issues so this should be perfect, at least I hope so."

So I think I have the equipment side covered now except for the dry hopping without opening the keg part. I'll get some magnets and try that next time maybe. I've also been drooling over: The Dry Hopper from Brewers Hardware nad it sure is pretty but I can't justify the price. LOL

There's certainly a lot of cool devices out there but as you say 275 is some serious change. Perhaps you build your own. I bought a sight glass from Amazon, 1.5" TC though but it was around 25 bucks. Not sure what's out there for the top part but I think a TC cap with a 1/2" pipe thread with a tee, PRV and a QD would do the trick. Just some thoughts for a DIY project and save some cash.

 

[RyPA]

If you're using a floating dip tube, which I recommend, maybe once you drop the hops in, connect your CO2 line to the floating dip tube to push o2 out through your airlock from the bottom up. Should work since CO2 is heavier than o2.

 

[JerryMc]

@RyPA and whoever else wishes to chime in...
Today my haze induced thoughts came up with a new plan.
According to Step 10. Dry hopping, of the recipe from brewers best:
10. Add dry hops
If you do not use a secondary fermenter then add the hops to your primary after fermentation has completed and leave for 5-7 days before bottling.

So I plan to put the hops in a 5 gallon keg, charge it with co2, do a closed transfer to the 5 gallon keg, wait a week and drink it.

My only question is at what point should I cold crash it? As soon as fermentation completes dry hop and continue or or wait until the 5 to 7 days elapse after dry hopping then cold crash or does it even matter? Also considering a pressure of 26 PSI where will the pressure be at 40 degrees F.? Will it drop to desired pressure or will I need to adjust co2 level after crashing?
Sorry for all the questions but how the blank else will I ever figure this out? LOL

 

[RyPA]

I personally do not cold crash. My most recent NEIPA I put in my kegerator and began pouring delicious beers the same night. Enjoying one now as I type.

You can probably get away without even doing a transfer.