When to keg after cold crash

[Keb]

So I'm cold crashing a honey blonde right now and here's my question...

When ready to siphon to keg should I pull the carboy out of the fridge and let it settle overnight, or pull it out and siphon while it's still cold?

I can't siphon from fridge because of height (it's my kegerator). Any opinions? Does it really matter? Just trying to keep it clear as possible.

Thanks!

 

[kpr121]

Just be very careful when pulling it out of the fridge and placing it on the table/stand/etc for siphon, then go for it. If you bump the carboy or think it may have gotten swirled up too much, let it sit for an hour or two.

If you start siphoning from the center of the liquid, you shouldnt get much sediment until the very end (normal).

 

[samc]

I have been using a converted wine fridge recently for cold crashing and had the same issue. I put the wine fridge on a cart about 30" from the ground and now I don't have to move anything. Might not be as easy to do with a kegerator. Might give you some creative thoughts. I used to use a longer tube and run the line from the fermenter down to the living room until I soaked the carpet once - end of that process!

 

[Keb]

Doh! Soaked carpet will do that to you. I'll just try and be careful when moving it out then. I feel like it would be beneficial to get it while it's cold. Thanks for the input.

 

[AnOldUR]

I move mine from cold crash to the table where I rack. Then I put a couple of heavy sweat shirts over it and let it sit for a few hours. I've even added a winter jacket in warm weather. The temperature doesn't drop too much if it's somewhat insulated.

 

[kpr121]

Thats a good idea AnOldUR, I'll have to try that next time. I hate pulling anything out of my DIY underbar kegerator because I am already putting extra stress on the compressor. Any energy savings I can utilize for that thing the better.

 

[jeffmeh]

I gently pull the fermentor out my chest freezer and put it on my work table, then rack from there.

A 1-gallon paint strainer bag secured with an elastic band on the input end of the siphon makes for a forgiving racking process.

 

[Xtant]

I keg immediately and I also cold crash in the keezer. I just move it very carefully. I've not really noticed any cloudiness...but I have not been doing this for very long.

Think of it this way. How much is gonna be stirred back up?

I have always gone to secondary to cold crash. If I get 90% of the sediment out on that transfer, then another 90% of the sediment after the crash, how mch more can really be left? It's in a kegerator. It'll floculate back out. Will your dip tube reach the sediment? If so, maybe you have one cloudy beer?

Just make sure you drink the first one, then offer your buddy the crystal clear second beer...

 

[fermenate]

I am cold crashing my batch of red ale overnite. Then I shall move the bucket to a table nearby the fridge.
I am going to rack it straight away. I want the brew to be cold for carbonation pressuring.
There was no need to rack to a secondary chamber so I will have to watch the cake.