CO2 set-up

[Meatymc]

Evening All

Not been around for a while. Lurking constantly but not had anything better to contribute on various topics than those better placed/experienced.

So, to the point.

I'm still the very basic brewer - garage, propane, constant manual temperature checking during mash, dunk sparge, non-direct water cooled coil, transfer to plastic fermentation buckets but at least have temperature controlled brew fridge. But this is where I need/want to start improving things.

I mainly brew hoppy IPAs (but also bitters, stouts, porters, ciders etc) which of course increases the chance of oxidation during hopping and transfers so introducing CO2 seems an obvious next step.

Sourced a local supplier (who supplies the breweries up here) - smallest they can offer is 6KG. Probably way too much for my use (23L every 2 weeks) but happy with the cost. Need to source a 'primary' regulator (theirs are industry standard) plus I guess piping and 'wand' of some description to purge vessels between transfers and bottling 'bucket' and bottles obviously (only bottle at the moment).

I'd love to think this is only my next step to a fully shiny closed brewing system but, whilst I could probably afford going to such lengths, couldn't justify to myself, the expense.

As usual, any suggestions appreciated.

[nallum]

It's only beer. A little imagination is all that's needed. A closed system is possible in any sufficiently sealed vessel.

IMG_0390.jpg (2.67 MiB) Viewed 2649 times

No need to waste good money on something 'shiny'. Unless it's a guitar or something else actually useful. I have a couple pressure rated FVs and they're great for conditioning naturally towards the end of fermentation, but that's it. Pressure fermentation is so overrated and done just because it can be rather than because it produces better beer. It doesn't produce better beer generally. Some people like cleaning stuff, though. As a hobby, I mean.

[Meatymc]

Cheers N

Not really bothered as yet to set-up a 'closed circuit' - just want to take the first step on reducing oxidation by purging. Going to go and talk to this local brewery supplier and see what they suggest.

[JonB]

Having gone down this rabbit hole myself recently I can suggest the below:

https://brewkegtap.co.uk/collections/keg-kits
(just buy a keg kit and you've got everything sorted bar the CO2 bottle. Their reconditioned kegs are really good value and behave like new)

The Kegland regulator works really well in my experience and at a pretty reasonable price. You can just buy this separately along with all the disconnects, etc. but by the time you've done that it's not that much more to add a reconditioned keg into the package as well.
https://brewkegtap.co.uk/products/kegla ... -regulator

BKT also have ace customer service and will tell you what you do and don't need for your setup.

I'm currently racking directly into the keg from a tap at the bottom of my fermenter using gravity. The keg gets fully purged by filling with Starsan and pushing out all of it with CO2 from the bottle. The "gas in" post is then connected with a tube to the top of the FV via the airlock (all pressure is released first as my FV is not pressure rated). The "beer out" post is connected to the bottom of the FV, and as it drains into the keg the CO2 is pushed into the top of the fermenter. Nallum's post illustrates this method very well.

Mine isn't only 100% closed because of the connection between the airlock and "gas in" tube, this is something I'm trying to refine at the moment


I have a 6kg CO2 bottle myself; it was an extra £10.00 from my supplier over a 3kg and will last twice as long so a no-brainer really...

Only warning with kegs is they do tend to breed...


Also you can try lobbing in 1/2tsp of Ascorbic Acid when you dry hop, it acts as an anti-oxidant and should help with minor O2 contamination. Bodybuilders/health food shops sell it in powdered form.

[nallum]

Cheers N

Not really bothered as yet to set-up a 'closed circuit' - just want to take the first step on reducing oxidation by purging. Going to go and talk to this local brewery supplier and see what they suggest.

I think a closed system is an integral part of your next level move, especially for heavily dry hopped modern IPAs. I can highly recommend one of these FVs:

https://brewkegtap.co.uk/products/kegla ... s=e&_v=1.0

Not just the best value for money, but compatible with achieving your next level goals and several other reasons. You can accessorise these kegmenters without spending too much, including a Kegland ‘hop dropper’ thingy. A CO2 supply has great value for the home brewer. I naturally carbonate most of my beers and mostly use CO2 for serving pressure, so 425g Soda Stream canisters work fine for me. If you go for a much bigger CO2 supply, consider some basic safety for storage and using pressure.

[Meatymc]

Having gone down this rabbit hole myself recently I can suggest the below:

https://brewkegtap.co.uk/collections/keg-kits
(just buy a keg kit and you've got everything sorted bar the CO2 bottle. Their reconditioned kegs are really good value and behave like new)

The Kegland regulator works really well in my experience and at a pretty reasonable price. You can just buy this separately along with all the disconnects, etc. but by the time you've done that it's not that much more to add a reconditioned keg into the package as well.
https://brewkegtap.co.uk/products/kegla ... -regulator

I think a closed system is an integral part of your next level move, especially for heavily dry hopped modern IPAs. I can highly recommend one of these FVs:

https://brewkegtap.co.uk/products/kegla ... s=e&_v=1.0

Thanks guys and apologies for the delayed reply.

Certainly got me thinking!!!

Been in touch with Nic at TMM who advised they can provide a simplistic set-up to do exactly what I've asked above (mini regulator, connectors etc) - if I 'insist' Cost would be £56 + delivery

The elephant in the room is the fact I could/should be retired at any moment - could have happened 2 years ago but running a company for a currently very unwell 85 year old whose son is ready - and keen, to take over if and when the worse happens. And then the same scenario with the mother-in-law which could/would mean a house move hence a bit reticent to go for broke.

Is it a sign of old age when you need a hundred words when a dozen would/should do?

[JonB]

Is it a sign of old age when you need a hundred words when a dozen would/should do?

I don't think so, otherwise I've been an old man since my late teens...


If you use John Guest connectors (like what Brew Keg Tap sell in their keg kits) then if you need to dismantle the regulator/keg/airline setup it can be done in about 5 mins and then packed away. It's then ~5 mins to setup again at the other end once you've worked out where the gas bottle and kegs live...

[Meatymc]

Is it a sign of old age when you need a hundred words when a dozen would/should do?

I don't think so, otherwise I've been an old man since my late teens...

Now been in touch with Jonny at BKT and whilst they too could supply a similar set-up to TMM, their comments echo everyone else's and I'm convinced now that the keg route is the way to go.

Thanks all