Why syphon from fermentation bin to keg.

Discuss making up beer kits - the simplest way to brew.
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stevezx7r

Post by stevezx7r » Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:59 am

I'd seriously recommend a widget world system (about £25). What you get is a guage with a trigger and three screw tops for gassing PET bottles (coke bottles). You still need the c02 but this is quite cheap at £5 per return bottle (soda stream type). The little bottles you snap on to the top of the lid are ok but work out more expensive in the end.
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Danmet

Post by Danmet » Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:54 am

OK, next half-arsed question then - if I get one of the injector systems, am I going to have to wait until I've made up a fresh barrel before I can use it? Or would it be OK to swap the cap on the barrel I've already got going (it only went into the barrel on Thursday night) or will it just let too much air in an ruin it?

Cheers
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Jim
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Post by Jim » Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:40 pm

Danmet wrote:OK, next half-arsed question then - if I get one of the injector systems, am I going to have to wait until I've made up a fresh barrel before I can use it? Or would it be OK to swap the cap on the barrel I've already got going (it only went into the barrel on Thursday night) or will it just let too much air in an ruin it?

Cheers
Gently release the pressure by lifting the pressure relief valve, then remove the cap and cover the opening with (e.g.) clingfilm to keep any flies out while you fit the valve to the cap. Once you're all done, refit the cap and give it a squirt of CO2 to repressurise it, and it should be fine.
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Danmet

Post by Danmet » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:44 pm

Thanks Jim, I'll try that :)
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Danmet

Post by Danmet » Mon Sep 22, 2008 1:26 pm

Well things didn't go according to plan - due to having to work 140 miles from home for a week, I've only just managed to get a replacement cap with valve & a Hambleton Bard cyclinder that I cadged off Freecycle.

The beer has been in the barrel for 11 days now. Am I way too late to swap the cap for the one with the injector and better off waiting until the next brew, or if I carefully swap it and give it a squirt of CO2 with the cap loose (then tighten the cap) will it be enough to force out the air and stop it from oxidising?

And without the Widgets World kit (which I can't afford just yet, especially since I paid nowt for the HB cylinder) is it just a case of giving the barrel a squirt of CO2 when the flow from the tap slows?

Cheers for any advice!
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Parva

Post by Parva » Mon Sep 22, 2008 1:37 pm

I personally would still do it now, afterall you have nothing to lose. Regarding topping up the gas yes, that's exactly how you do it.
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maxashton

Post by maxashton » Mon Sep 22, 2008 1:41 pm

Follow Jim's sage advice and you'll be fine.

Remember to sanitize the lid before you do it!
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Danmet

Post by Danmet » Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:38 pm

Yeah, wasn't sure how much difference it would make that I'm a week late with doing what Jim suggested!

Cheers all, I'll give it a go - thanks for the reminder about sterilising the top.
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Danmet

Post by Danmet » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:05 pm

Swapped the cap & gave it a squirt of CO2 - and had a sample of the brew. Well blow me if it didn't actually taste OK!! A decent head on it & a bit of fizz, but not too much - I thought that I'd buggered it up but it actually tasted like beer :) Got a second opinion they thought it was alright too (they weren't being polite, they drained the glass!!).

Right then, I'll start off another kit within the week. Why didn't I do this before?
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