More cornie questions.

[Kinleycat]

I hope to transfer my wherry mid week into one of the cornies.
As I have never used this method I have some questions.
1) Time wise I know that the beer becomes more quickly drinkable because of the forced carbonation, does that mean when I keg up I can just put it out in the cold - I have three kegs but only plan on using two at a time (I bought a gas pipe splitter with my kit) so theoretically once gassed they're all ok disconnected?
2) The man in the lhbs mentioned something about shaking them to mix the co2 more quickly, is that just for if I have a raging thirst and I aren't bothered about the conditioning?
3) Once Kegged I presume I just gas it (put a connector on and pressurise to the right level - again the man in the lhbs said about 30psi) but can I then disconnect or must I leave It connected to the co2?
4) Prior to kegging I need to make sure my sanitised kegs are air tight, is this done by simply connecting up to the gas and checking via the gauge and looking for bubbles on joints, pipes and fittings with washing up liquid?
5) Once Kegged how long will my beer stay fresh?
6) can I alter the pressure on one keg without lowering the other?

That'll do for now, I'm sure I'll have more questions later!!!
KC :thumb:

 

[Fil]

Hi im no expert just been using cornys a couple of years and have been gettin good results after an initial steep learning curve..

1) dont confuse conditioning with maturing, yes you can artificially carbonate/condition a beer quicker using a low temp and pressure but the beer will still need to mature to reach its best flavours, i tend to sart sampling after a fortnight in a keg but regularly leave for weeks longer before supping in anger, so its about taste and flavour and the beer your have brewed..

2) shaking the keg will speed up the conditioning but, as said above,

3) the level of condition you want in your beer is purely subjective, with cornys however you can condition to almost any level you want.. its going to be trial and error, till you find the balance that works for you.. there are carbonation charts on the web which are useful guides... what works for me and my bitters is keeping gassed up at circa 20psi for a week when i then drop to serving pressure, my serving pressurs vary as my kegs are not in a controled temp fridge so i have to balance my system depending on ambient temps..

if you over carbonate you just unhook from gas, vent and shake vent and shake and on and on to loose the unwanted condition, to add more condition just whack up the gass and shake :)

you choose whats best for you.. :)


4) yes check your kegs while cleaning and sterilising,
you will find using gas to fill and empty kegs with cleaner and later steriliser is easier than pouring....
5) assumiong good clenlyness and hygiene under co2 the beer will stay fresh for weeks or months, just as long as if in a bottle..

6) to serve at 2 or more different pressures you will need secondary regulators or a gas management board.. but yes..

the thing about cornys is they are just part of the serving system, to get the best from em you want control over co2 pressure, control over keg temp or if not possible control over beer temp prior to serving. and some way to balance the keg pressure before release at the tap when serving..

those with fridges to house their kegs get to set once and pour consistent pint after consistent pint, my kegs are in a hidden insulated corner which means i need to tune it to the ambient conditions every now and again and in the summer months when the kegs hit temps of 16-18c i need to run a shelf chiller for 30-40mins a day to chill the beer when served..

 

[joe1002]

When you keg your beer gas and release the prv a few bursts to purge the oxygen out :thumb:

You may also need to play with beer line length & size to serve without too much froth

 

[keith1664]

read this thread re carbonating technique. I wouldn't follow the advice of your LHBS man!

As joey says you need to purge the keg of oxygen after kegging.

You can disconnect the gas after carbonating and if you're leak free it'll be fine. Once my kegs are in use I'll have them connected to the gas though.

4 - yes

5 -I think the longest I've managed was about 5 months, it might've lasted longer but I'd drunk it all.

6 - as mentioned before, you'll need another reg or a gas board for this.

 

[joe1002]

If you want to check for leaks I would fill with water first (make sure the gas tube is not submerged) otherwise you will get through your gas pretty quick :thumb:

Once pressurised, spray some water with a little washing up liquid in around the joints. It should bubble if you have a leak.

 

[Kinleycat]

Thanks all, i am tentatively looking forward to this new system!! :pray: :?