keg cooling

[alefric]

For conditioning i always put my kegs in the garage (only place i have available) but i noticed that yesterday the temp was up to 20C!.....I know that idealy it should be at 12-14C.....is there any way to cool the keg,Boots used to make a jacket or do i need to get a fridge?.....also will a domestic fridge run at temperatures as high as this?

[alefric]

Thanks Daab.....but if keeping at a higher temp will it take the same time to condition or longer?

[Redbloke]

You can replace the standard fridge thermostat with one that will hold the temperature in the desired range.

Daab, I'm very interested in doing this, are they easy to fit/replace?

[Vossy1]

Not DaaB , but, yes they're really easy to fit

Bit of info on here

clicky

[alefric]

O.K Daab....but how can i make sure that happens?......should i use finings if i end up in the same boat again?

[alefric]

So it's O.K to add finings so late.....but what is the best method and after adding should i top up keg with CO2?

[alefric]

Cheers DaaB....thanks once again.....will keep an eye on it over next two weeks

[scott6]

I have always used the shed to store my kegs (no other suitable space available). Obviously tempatures vary quite a bit over the year but so far I have never had any problems. Agree with above comment regards the beer taking longer to clear when tempatures warmer. For example currently drinking a Nelsons Revenge (well not actually now at 6AM). After 4/5 weeks in keg it tasted great but not fully clear. Had couple of pints last night after it had been in keg 8/9 weeks and it is perfectly clear with improved taste. I think key often (even with my limited knowledge) is patience. I always leave my brews about 8/9 weeks and seems to do the trick (still find it odd when you read comments about people having drunk half their beer after only 2/3 weeks in the keg!)

[alefric]

Thanks Scott6 I take your points.....be a bit patient....also if you feel need to drink at 6.00am simply tell people you've been working nights!

[hootbah]

I was glad to see a thread on keg cooling.

I've noticed over the past week my conditioning room (the shed) getting too hot and even worse my beer getting too warm. I even had an exploding bottle during the week!

My brief questions about fridges are:

What size fridge is needed to fit a king keg inside it? -- Most fridges have internal size measured in volume and not internal dimensions.

Does anyone know of any models of fridge to look out for?

How do you add CO2 to the keg once its in the fridge? -- Do you need some modifications to add the CO2 externally.

Thanks in advance for any advice and I'll continue crawl the local free ads to find a keg cooler.