Cornelius keg gassing

[Jonnymac]

Hi Guys,
First post, so go easy.
I bought a couple of corny kegs, a regulator and CO2. I put my kit into it and primed with about 60g of sugar. Blasted it with 20psi co2 and left it for a few days in the warm. I was surprised to find no pressure in. I have since topped up numerous times, but it still seems to be low pressure. I have left it on a few days at 10psi and it still doesn’t seem that gassy (in fact only just a little mor than flat).
I have used the soapy water test on 3 occasions and have noted no bubbling at all. Am I doing something wrong? Or is it usual for the beer to absorb so much.
I’d leave it connected permanently, but I’m worried I’m missing something.
TIA
John

 

[foxbat]

It's completely normal for the beer to rapidly absorb CO2 at the start and slow down as it approaches equilibrium. Your 20psi at the beginning will have been absorbed in just hours.

Leave it on gas at the pressure and temperature you want to serve at and it'll be ready in a week or two depending on how carbed you want it.

 

[Jakeyboi]

Yep perfectly normal, personally I don’t prime in the keg, just leave the gas connected.

my first bottle of co2 lasted two years, carbing, serving and purging kegs like that.

 

[LeeH]

As foxbat says, low and slow is the better way to ensure your keg is carbonated correctly.

 

[Jonnymac]

Cool. I think I was just worried that I’d wake up one morning with an empty cylinder and flat beer. I thought I’d got a problem somewhere.
So the best way to carbonate 2 kegs would be to split the line, rather than filling each one up twice daily?

 

[Jakeyboi]

I think both ways will work, the only problem with disconnecting them is that the beer absorbs the co2 and the pressure inside drops, and it’s actually the pressure inside that keeps the lid sealed tight. I have a couple of kegs where the lids aren’t a great seal, and they will leak and bubble until the pressure gets up.

 

[LeeH]

Split your gas line with a y or t piece.

 

[foxbat]

https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/john-guest-38-line-splitter/

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Can I have one regulater and then split the line for two kegs?

 

[Jakeyboi]

Yes, they will obviously be under the same pressure, which is fine if your happy with both kegs having the same amount of carbonation.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Thanks Jake, as I'm kegging British bitters in my kegs same carb is fine.

 

[TimR]

I found corny kegs difficult to seal initially. Technique now is to place the lid I position, lift the keg up with the lid handle so it seats under the weight of the keg, then gas it to keep lid in position until under pressure

also have been advised to shake the keg whilst under pressure to encourage gas into the beer. As gas absorbs then the head pressure reduces. Guess it’s a matter of experience and preference as to how much carbonation

 

[The Baron]

Yes i lift the full keg with the lid handle to help with seating the rubber "O" ring then gas to 30 or 40 and vent at the same time this higher pressure helps it to seal then I top it up about 3 times a day to probably 20 for a few days (I do not leave the gas connected as paranoid of the system leaking and losing all my Co2)I then reduce to serving pressure in say a week when it is ready. Once sealed I have no problem with reducing the pressure right down for serving. Another tip is if you are having problems with sealing turn the lid around as some of the Cornies do tend to seat the lid better one way than the other

 

[Crappyfish]

I can verify about keg lids although mine look symmetrical they fit better one way than the other way.

 

[beerlad]

yes I've had the same experience with the corny lids so well worth turning around if you don't get the seal.

 

[xozzx]

Good idea to add a coating of food safe lube to the orings too...