when do I gas up?

[BLACKPAINT]

Hi all I am very new to this so please excuse my ignorance . The questions are; After transferring from fermenting bucket to pressure barrel when do I add the Co2? immediately or after a week or so? I added the C02 on my last barrel after 4 weeks just before serving my first glass (Geordie Yorkshire Bitter Kit). Also, How long will the Gas last? I'm using the Young's little syphon bulb in a 5 gallon barrel and will it be obvious when it runs out ?
Thanks and I'll let you know what I've been brewing on the Brew Days bit.
regards
BP

 

[Thisledome]

You should add about 4 table spoons of sugar into your pressure barrel. The sugar added to your barrel will produce CO2 that is naturally dissolved in the brew. Once its had time to settle you should be able to drink it. The gas will be needed from time to time, but its that long ago since i used barrels and co2 i could not tell you for sure how long they last. I have never used the small ones only the big screw on co2 bottles.

 

[LeicesterLad]

Hi BP

You'll find it will get to about half way down and it will start to glug as the beer is only pouring through gravity alone and not under the pressure of the co2. You will know just by pouring a pint then you can add another and it should last till the end of the barrel. If you find its only a litre or so down and its starts to 'glug' you may have a leak and you need to check your seals and oxygen and beer dont mix and your beer wont keep long. To reduce leaks always make sure you lubricate your seal with a bit of vaseline before screwing on the lid.

Hope this helps, good luck and enjoy. :drink: