Want to force carbonate rather than using sugar. Recommendations?

[danielgraves]

Pretty much what the title says. I do small batches (5 gallons) and would like to carbonate without sugar. Inexpensive but effective would be ideal. :) Just looking for recommendations. Thanks

 

[Graz]

For 5 gallons only real answer is a Cornelius keg and a decent sized CO2 cylinder. Inexpensive it is not but would pay dividends in the long term. Even then the standard corny is only 19L so you either need to brew slightly smaller batches or accept the fact that you need to bottle a few litres.

 

[Madhouse]

Force carbing cheaply isn't really a thing, the deposit on a 6kg bottle of gas can be over £50 - yes you'll get it back one day but it's still an outlay.

But there are people selling kits with all you need bar the gas. My wife kindly got me one from Brew Keg Tap for my birthday and it's been great. Am still learning as only 1 beer carbed so far and another underway, but am really pleased so far!

I bottle anything that doesn't fit in the keg, there's usually 1 or 2 that get bottle carbed for every brew.