Polypin Management

[jonnyt]

Are you going to use a Beer Engine with it?

[darkonnis]

Haven't got one so no. To be fair, since i started using minikegs (load of ****) this is the first time I've looked at actually moving away from bottling. So I'm the first to admit, I don't know much about this lot its just what I've read.
Am I correct in thinking polypins are reusable?

[Dennis King]

Am I correct in thinking polypins are reusable?

Correct, but I've never used those thin looking ones.

[darkonnis]

Well i think the thin ones are disposable, but they're about a pound each. Which I'm not gonna cry about as I'd probably save that in effort/sanitising. I saw some which were about £6 a go for 10L and thought thats a bit dear for my liking! But if its reusable, thats not bad if you 'get 7/8 uses.

[jonnyt]

I'm currently trying out the 10L and 5L variations. Already had a few pints from the 10L one.
Just don't expect fizzy beer.

[Dennis King]

Well i think the thin ones are disposable, but they're about a pound each. Which I'm not gonna cry about as I'd probably save that in effort/sanitising. I saw some which were about £6 a go for 10L and thought thats a bit dear for my liking! But if its reusable, thats not bad if you 'get 7/8 uses.

The ones I use, 20 lts, £12 from my LHBS. I know it sounds expensive but I've re-used them at least 20-30 times and the are still going strong.

[darkonnis]

Yeah? these: http://www.murphyhomebrew.com/equipment/cat_25.html ?
Or like those atleast?

[Dennis King]

Yes the look the same, the same as the ones if you buy beer in polypins from brewerys. If you can get hold of a handpump the combination is very good, the nearest I've found to a pub real ale.

[darkonnis]

Just one of the piston driven ones? I wanted to keg stuff but needing CO2 and regulators etc etc.... nah too much money. But if i can get away wit ha simple pull font type affair I'd be well chuffed. Might go get me 4 or so to put 2 brews in then just crack 1 a weekend.

[arturobandini]

Love using pins and love this thread for its longevity and the fact is packed with good tips.

I do an annual brew marathon and as part of which I knock up a polypin of Fullers ESB to take North for the family festivities. I have never been able to nail the fermentation on it though.

First year it was vaguely lifeless as I under primed, second year I went for Dennis' tried and true 80g but crapped myself when I saw a baloon in my brew cupboard and released some gas. Alas, I did this too early as the co2 hadn't dissolved into the beer as yet so beer was again devoid of life.

This year I am going for the 80g prime and when the thing swells up to the size of a beach ball I am going to move it to the colder part of my flat (kill the heating in my son's room probably) for a couple of weeks and then release what excess gas is in there before stuffing in the box and storing till it makes the journey north.

I have one of those Murphy Homebrew pins and have only used it once, had a similar pin from barley bottom before and they seem very durable and reusable.

[brian_beer]

I've just bought some from the bag in box place, mainly to use as throwaways for the lambic I have on the go (since I'm paranoid about dirtying my bottles with that one).

I will probably also use them for standard beers if they work ok, but how do you get them clean if you re-use them? You can obviously rinse out the beer and then starsan them, but I can't work out how you'd ever get it dry inside if you needed to store for a while in between uses. What do people do to keep them clean?

[stevetk189]

I've just bought some from the bag in box place, mainly to use as throwaways for the lambic I have on the go (since I'm paranoid about dirtying my bottles with that one).

I will probably also use them for standard beers if they work ok, but how do you get them clean if you re-use them? You can obviously rinse out the beer and then starsan them, but I can't work out how you'd ever get it dry inside if you needed to store for a while in between uses. What do people do to keep them clean?

I keep my bags wet inside with starsan, about a cup full that I periodically slosh around to foam up.

[brian_beer]

Ah nice and simple, I don't know why but I was thinking starsan might eat through the plastic if left sitting in there.

Sounds good - will give that a go, thanks

[Dennis King]

I give mine a rinse with washing soda to clean after use then sterilize and rinse just before I fill with beer.

[darkonnis]

Just ordered 4 * 10L ones and 4 * 3L ones. 3L for me, 10L for me n company *hic* :D