Carbonation stones... Worth it?

[aero-spaced-out]

Hello all,

Considering getting a couple corny lids with carb stones on them for kegs.
Just wanted to hear a few experiences from people using them as I'm still on the fence, but swaying towards getting one.
Are they worth it?
Can they also be used with mixed gas?

Cheers

 

[tondy79]

What would you be looking to achieve by using a carb stone? Is it just for speed of carbonation?

 

[aero-spaced-out]

What would you be looking to achieve by using a carb stone? Is it just for speed of carbonation?

Pretty much aye, my setup allows for 23L batches to ferment at a time and want to be making them more frequently so after examining my process I considered that an easy one would be ways to speed up carbing, and make it reliable. I've seen people get reliable results quickly from them so considering it for my own use.
Will be looking to try bottling from keg soon so if I could speed up the carbing process for that it'd be handy. Also would allow quicker access to my brews and then free up my temp chamber a bit quicker.

Asking about mixed gas as if I make a stout I've seen some periods of having to wait weeks for them to reach equilibrium so was wondering if this would help that as I enjoy a stout on nitro but the idea of it taking up my temp chamber for that length of time for such a small yield is somewhat off putting.
curiosity is getting me about the carbing stones place in my process.

 

[MashBag]

I have one (for other things)
They will work better with CO² not sure if they will work with mixed gas.

 

[aero-spaced-out]

Awesome thank you, Mash.
Will definitely help on the normal CO2 front
I'll do a bit more digging about their applicability with mixed gas

 

[YeastFace]

I have one of these yokes, which is what I think you mean?

They definitely work with mixed gas and are much quicker than top pressure.

 

[JockyBrewer]

How much quicker?

By bumping things up to 30-40psi I normally have my beer carbonated in 2-3 days.

 

[aero-spaced-out]

I have one of these yokes, which is what I think you mean?

View attachment 108270

They definitely work with mixed gas and are much quicker than top pressure.

This is exactly what I mean, that's brilliant to know about the mixed gas!

Thanks YeastFace!

 

[YeastFace]

How much quicker?

By bumping things up to 30-40psi I normally have my beer carbonated in 2-3 days.

For mixed gas, top pressure could be 3+ weeks until it's pouring as I want. With the carb lid (thanks again!) 10 days to 2 weeks.