I’ve bought Beergas (nitro/co2) instead of just co2

[Stroudy89]

Hi all

As a newbie to both homebrewing (3 full grain brews to date) and kegging (first attempt) I wondered if anyone would be able to help me with what I think is an issue.

I’ve filled the keg with no issues and whilst waiting for a gas line to be delivered I put some co2 into it using a co2 canister dispenser, I put 5 full canisters over 48 hours. Since my gas line got delivered I have tried to force carbonate but setting to 30 psi and shaking for 4 minutes, only after this I realised I had a nitro co2 mix. I did dispense some and it’s not bad, I’d prefer slightly more fizz, but my questions are:
1) will it lose carbonation over time?
2) should I disconnect the Beergas and put another couple of canisters into it

Btw by canisters I mean the small palm size ones

Any help greatly welcomed

Thanks

 

[MmmBeer]

Nitrogen should give your beer a stronger foam than CO2 alone, with smaller bubbles, leading to a creamier mouthfeel. It was used in the 90's for 'Creamflow' type beers. Stick with it for now and let your mouth decide whether you want to use it again.

 

[Stroudy89]

great thanks, as long as I don’t ruin it all I’ll stick with it.

Appreciate it

 

[Drunkula]

Do you know what percent gas you've got? You'll have to up the pressure to get the same carbonation level as pure co2, so you'll also need to have more restriction on the line to your tap to pour it.

https://mcdantim.com/beverage/tools/calculator

 

[Stroudy89]

it’s a 70/30 split so mainly nitrogen.

I set it to around 4 psi when I’ve poured, came out ok just could do with that but more bubbles!

 

[chewie]

If it was me and space or cash isn't the issue I would force carb with pure co2 and use the mixed gas for serving. Just depends if you think the extra effort is worth it for head retention, creaminess and lacing with every pint.

 

[Alside101]

Do you need a different regulator for pub gas mix?

 

[Drunkula]

it’s a 70/30 split so mainly nitrogen.

I set it to around 4 psi when I’ve poured, came out ok just could do with that but more bubbles!

If you had the keg at 13c then you'd need to put 50 psi on it to get to 2 vols of co2. If you've got a corny keg you're safe to go higher. Basically take the pressure you'd see in a normal carbonation chart and divide by 0.3, or multiply by 3.3.

So leave it at 50, 60, whatever, when you're not boozing and then purge and lower the pressure when you're on a sesh. You could also shake carbonate it, too. Cornys are rather 130 psi so it depends how brave you're feeling.

Do you need a different regulator for pub gas mix?

Nope.

 

[chewie]

Do you need a different regulator for pub gas mix?

The connection type can be different if you use a co2 bottle from the likes of hobbyweld, the same regulator will do but you will need an adaptor which iirc is called co2 to argon.

 

[Alside101]

Could be an idea using pub gas for dispensing and co2 for force carbonation

 

[-Bezza-]

Make a Guiness clone?