Priming questions

[Jack Hackett]

Hi folks

I have in my FV a Cooper's Brewmaster IPA kit, I have used 1kg Muntons Beer Enhancer as the sugar. It seems to be fermenting well.

When it comes to priming do I just add my priming sugar to my keg dry or do I dissolve it in some warm liquid before hand, is it better to use a little of the brew liquid warmed up in a saucepan or clean fresh water?
I have a choice of priming sugar, standard brewing sugar or some medium spray malt, which would be best? Im guessing the spray malt.

Regards
Jack

 

[jamesb]

When it comes to priming do I just add my priming sugar to my keg dry or do I dissolve it in some warm liquid before hand, is it better to use a little of the brew liquid warmed up in a saucepan or clean fresh water?
I have a choice of priming sugar, standard brewing sugar or some medium spray malt, which would be best? Im guessing the spray malt.

I'd personally use normal sugar (or brewing sugar).

As for the method, it's up to you. I'm lazy so I just add it straight to the keg. If you're bottling than it may be better to dissolve it in some boiling water (then let it cool) and stir it carefully into the FV. This ensures a more even distribution of the sugar in the beer so you'll have more consistantly carbonated bottles.

What is priming sugar by the way?

 

[ano]

What is priming sugar by the way?

I think he just means the sugar he uses to prime.

 

[jamesb]

What is priming sugar by the way?

I think he just means the sugar he uses to prime.

Ah. I get it.

Not enough caffeine yet.

 

[Jack Hackett]

Yes, the sugar used at the priming stage. :)

 

[Vossy1]

If you do decide to dissolve the sugar in water to prime, make sure you have treated the water, if it contains chlorine or chloramines

 

[Jack Hackett]

Cheers Vossy.
Doesnt boiling water evaporate any chlorine and flourine/flouride it may contain? I was always lead to believe this....

I shall draw some of my brew off and boil that up to dissolve the sugar in, that would be OK wouldnt it?

Jack

 

[ano]

It does but chloramine is a much more stable form and isn't driven off in a boil. Campden tablets (at a rate of half a tablet to 5 gallons) is enough to remove chloramine.

As long as you've cleaned/sanitised the vessel into which you're drawing the beer I can't see you needing to boil it.

 

[jamesb]

Ano's right.

Don't worry about the fluoride.

 

[Jack Hackett]

It does but chloramine is a much more stable form and isn't driven off in a boil. Campden tablets (at a rate of half a tablet to 5 gallons) is enough to remove chloramine.

As long as you've cleaned/sanitised the vessel into which you're drawing the beer I can't see you needing to boil it.

Oh yes, vessel will be sanitized of course. The liquor will need some heat applied to it to dissolve the spray malt a bit before I add it to my barrel, I want a nice even distribution, I will be barreling most of the brew but will bottle half a dozen or so.