Make co2 with a shark tank.

MashBag · Oct 22, 2024

If you have a spare corny it seems you could make co2 easily more quickly than fermenting for it.

A mix of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate (baking powder) with some water, produces co2.

I can remember making something similar as a kid with vinegar and washing soda.

It seems the marine aquarium keepers use co2 in this way.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30576565...JqzRlhvQpi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

This could easily be cheaper & more convenient than cylinders.

@aero-spaced-out thanks for the idea! Just need to work the maths out now.

@Buffers brewery MORE gadgets, means you gotta try this!

aero-spaced-out · Oct 22, 2024

Don't thank me, thank the Brulosophy YouTube channel!
Using precious fresh CO2 just to transfer always seemed wasteful from I started doing minimal/O2 free especially since my current setup is using Sodastream which is just expensive.
Seen the idea in one of their videos and always wanted to try it in some adapted capacity.
In the video he uses a fermentation to slowly build pressure and then can keep it living with just adding more simple syrup. Slow but will build up pressure eventually
The vinegar and baking powder idea seems very immediate but I like that approach too!

Here's the link to the video for those interested.

MashBag · Oct 22, 2024

aero-spaced-out said:
Don't thank me, thank the Brulosophy YouTube channel!
Using precious fresh CO2 just to transfer always seemed wasteful from I started doing minimal/O2 free especially since my current setup is using Sodastream which is just expensive.
Seen the idea in one of their videos and always wanted to try it in some adapted capacity.
In the video he uses a fermentation to slowly build pressure and then can keep it living with just adding more simple syrup. Slow but will build up pressure eventually
The vinegar and baking powder idea seems very immediate but I like that approach too!

Here's the link to the video for those interested.

Thanks.. That's a good watch.

RoomWithABrew · Oct 22, 2024

You can build the pressure in a fermentasaurus with some wort and yeast in to 35 psi within a few hours once the ferment starts.
Personal experience from accidentally having a non functioning ( user error ) spunding valve.
I use the residual pressure and gas in the fermentasaurus after a closed transfer to purge starsan and pre pressure kegs before transfer or use the " old " fermentasaurus with gas in to drive the next closed transfer. Have also used it to replace the gas in kegs supplying a beer engine.
I think sugar, water yeast and some nutrient would be a lot cheaper than citric and bicarb. Easier to top up as well.
I only use the CO2 cylinder for driving the keg fridge taps, but could migrate to a fermentasaurus driven system I suppose.

Agentgonzo · Oct 23, 2024

MashBag said:
This could easily be cheaper & more convenient than cylinders

Are those ingredients really cheaper than CO2 from a cylinder? Neither cost pennies.

MashBag · Oct 23, 2024

Yup that is an issue. Not costed it. But it is far far more convenient. Tbh for the pressures I need outside of carbonation some bread yeast and sugar will do me.

I have thought about making a feeder pump for a corny to keep it going. Probably easier just to have two running.

aero-spaced-out · Oct 23, 2024

Agentgonzo said:
Are those ingredients really cheaper than CO2 from a cylinder? Neither cost pennies.

Once the yeast is in there and fermentation has started, you should really just need to feed it with the simple syrup solution? No?
As Mash has said, Bread yeast and Sugar
Couple of pound for them in the shop
Both fairly cheap and accessible
At first glance this gives the impression of being cheaper and definitely more readily available than CO2 from a cylinder

The bicarb and vinegar may not be quite as cost effective.
Even if costs don't match at the end of the day, I'd definitely still use the bicarb in a 2L bottle for an immediate reaction to get me out of a pinch should it ever be required.

MashBag · Oct 23, 2024

aero-spaced-out said:
Once the yeast is in there and fermentation has started, you should really just need to feed it with the simple syrup solution? No?

If you did a sugar solution 1kg:5L and a simple nutrient in a corny, you could make you own sanitiser

Refill: pull half off and refill with another 5L of mix. Continual supply.

Buffers brewery · Oct 23, 2024

Slightly left field, but while you’re discussing ways of producing CO2 also consider ways of recycling it. When a keg/barrel is empty of beer it is full of CO2, sometimes under pressure. This could be used to dispense beer from another keg, directly if still pressurised, or filling the spent keg with water through the beer post to force the gas out of the gas post.
I routinely fill balloons with the gas from empty barrels before cleaning them and use it to purge empty barrels before filling them with fresh beer.

MashBag · Oct 23, 2024

I routinely used to daisy chain gas along for wine dispense. Saves loads.

peebee · Oct 24, 2024

I've considered this as an "emergency" measure, but never come close to putting it into practice. As @Agentgonzo said: Will it really be cheaper? Unlikely me thinks.

You can use "Washing Soda" (Sodium Carbonate) instead of Calcium Bicarbonate ... effectively the leftovers from using Sodium Percarbonate cleaner. But you don't use that. ("TFR" or something).

[EDIT: As you like kookie stuff ... if it's cheaper: Mix agricultural milk-stone cleaner (often only dilute phosphoric acid) with leftover Percarbonate cleaner ... way-hey, school kid pranks!]

Make co2 with a shark tank.

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