Corny kegs as fermenters
#1
Posted 03 March 2010 - 10:33 AM
#2
Posted 03 March 2010 - 10:44 AM
I think you can buy a corny lid that is retrofitted to have a fermentation lock on it. However, I think you could (and should) use a blow-off tube to play it safe. Just my $0.02I am thinking about converting 2 corny kegs to primary fermenters and moving to 8 gallon batches. Aside from cutting the liquid dip tube, what modifications should I make to them? I have seen all sorts of things posted on the inter-web including drilling out the gas connect, installing thermowells where the pressure release valve is, etc.How do people that ferment in kegs control fermentation temps? I currently do not have a chest freezer for fermentation and am just using a modified Igloo Ice Cube cooler for fermentation.Thanks
#3
Posted 03 March 2010 - 01:23 PM
#4
Posted 03 March 2010 - 02:37 PM
#5
Posted 03 March 2010 - 10:05 PM
#6
Posted 04 March 2010 - 04:14 AM
I suspect you'd want to vent CO2 for the start of primary and then lock it down as terminal gravity is approached. Think about how little sugar has to be added to prime 5 gallons for bottling. If someone knows about how much potential 3-4oz of corn sugar has this would give you an idea about what point in fermentation you'd have to close that thing up.I think you could, but I wouldn't even attempt that without first doing crazy research about it. If you let it just pressurize, I'm sure it would eventually blow up!
#7
Posted 04 March 2010 - 05:50 AM
#8
Posted 04 March 2010 - 07:28 AM
#9
Posted 04 March 2010 - 04:33 PM
I did my first batch in a corny a few weeks ago. It was pretty cool. I did a 3 gallon batch just to try it out. I hope to do a nine gallon batch tonight and split between two cornies (leave a half gallon in the kettle, then 4.25 to each corny). I plan to use Fermcap.I had my dip tube trimmed about 3/4". I probably need to trim it a bit more, as it still pulled a lot of yeast. As tag mentioned, there are several places to buy replacement dip tubes on the cheap, so you are "ruining" your keg.For blowoff, I simply put a QD on the gas post and run a hose into a jar of StarSan. If you do any other method, then you are missing out on one of the benefits of fermenting in cornies - minimizing oxygen exposure!! For temp control, I have a wine fridge that holds two cornies. I tape the probe of the Johnson controller right to the outside of the corny.The absolute best part is racking. I used to HATE racking beer. Now all I do is hook up a jumper to another clean and sanitized keg and transfer under pressure.To harvest the yeast. . .once I'm done transferring the beer, I disconnect everything, open up the top of the keg and dump in a quart of sterilized water. Then I hook everything back up, shake the keg a bit, and pump the yeast into a clean jar.
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