How to use cornie kegs and beer kits.

[chuke]

Hi guys.

I am new to this brewing lark and have just set off with my first wherry brew.

It is currantly in a pressure barrel at the moment and has been there for 2 days at 21oC.

The question i really want answering is this.

I want to start another brew probabally a woodfords nog but i also want to put this one into a cornie keg.

Can anyone please advise me on what equipment i would need and the best way to set the keg up i.e controlling and monitoring cO2 levels.

Also what is the process when fermentation has fininished berfore putting it into the cornie.

cheers muchly

[Stringy Bob]

Pretty much all you need to know is here http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/cornelius.htm

[chuke]

thats great i have read this already, its the process of secondary fermentation i am most unclear about and if using kits works ok with cornies. Also its the pressure regulation how to know when it is at the right level.

cheers

[boingy]

A kit will work with a cornie just as well as an AG brew.

You can either secondary outside of the cornie then rack the clear beer into the cornie or you can secondary in the cornie. In the latter case you will get some sediment in the cornie. In an unmodified cornie this means your first pint or two will suck up some of the sediment and be cloudy. Some folks cut half an inch off the dip tube to avoid this. The compromise is that you lose a pint or two in the bottom that the dip tube does not reach.

Gas pressures depend on the level of carbonation you want and on the temperature of the keg.

[Jim]

Yep, once the wort is in the fermenter, there's no difference between AG and kits (except the AG will be better quality).

There are tables on the internet that give recommended carbonation rates for different beer styles and the pressure you need to get it at various temperatures. I'll see if I can find a link.

EDIT: I can't find a one in degrees C, but here's one in F.

[chuke]

Thanks for the advice i think i will get myself a cornie and give it a whirl with my next batch which i hope to start on sunday

cheers again