Is the Youngs barrel and CO2 cap any good?

[Black_Sheep]

My first two brews always end up slightly flatter than I like in my budget Youngs Pressure Barrel, the barrel has a pressure release valve that doesn't seem to retain much pressure. After fermentation and 3 days in the warm for carbonation (3 weeks conditioning at 10c) my bottles are just right, but my barrels are always a little too real ale. I've seen the S30 cap and with Co2 injection, but heard that without a safety valve these crack, often.

My worry is that I'm not holding a good Co2 blanket to keep the bacteria down, most I can get is half a pint before I hear the valve sucking and the flow reduces.

Am I making it worse because I bottle half of the brew leaving a big headspace in the barrel?

I want to be able to draw off the barrel over a couple weeks daily from the end of conditioning and drink it, keeping my bottles for showing off.

Help!

[stevezx7r]

Hi Black_Sheep, as a suggestion, I would leave the keg to carbonate for at least a week before drawing any beer - just to allow the yeast/priming sugar to carbonate well.

Some do have problems with their caps cracking although I have two and mine are both fine And they're invaluable too

What your describing is a lack of c02 in the keg when it starts to glug. I'd check for an air leak, usually on the top cap. A good way of sealing it is by rubbing vaseline around the threads (or ptfe tape may do it too) but don't let vaseline come into contact with the beer

As far as making it worse by having less in the barrel, yes, it will take a lot more to fill the head space so I would suggest an s30 valve cap plus a widget world adapter for a c02 cylinder. They cost about £20 - £25 plus £5 for a return bottle. You will use maybe a third of a bottle per keg, depending on usage/how full the keg is etc.

Hope that helps

[Black_Sheep]

Top advice thanks for that Steve. Is the widget world adapter to allow it to take soda stream rather those little ampules?

[stevezx7r]

Thats the ones. Although the ss bottles have a slightly different thread cut, they still work fine, just be aware that the WW handle is made from plastic and you need to be careful you don't cross thread it

Tbh, the ss bottles usually get changed for hambleton bard (mine did anyway).

[Lillywhite]

I've brought three budget barrels since the end of November, and I find that they are excellent in holding pressure. I think the key to a good pressure is to put a full 40 pints in the keg, allow secondary fermentation to take place in a temperature 20-22C for a minimum 5 days and then move to a cooler temperature 12-14C for conditioning for a further 4 weeks before drinking.

I have replacement caps and standard S30 valves on standby to add additional gas, if required, although I wouldn't be surprised if this is not required until only 8-10 pints are left in each keg.

I personally think the budget kegs are far better in relation to retaining pressure than King Kegs.

[Black_Sheep]

Members of the jury once again you are all right. I checked the lid and found the o-ring to be folded, I sanitised it with an alcohol wipe then used vaseline on the ring (phnarr) and removed the rubber band on the pressure valve, greased that and ensured it was seated tightly back down.

The conditioning was done in the East Wing of our three bed semi where average temperatures hit a heady 10c and drop to 6c overnight, the joys of a "period home". I've brought the barrel into the warm.

From now on I'm going for a longer carbonation (5 days) in the warm, check all seals and have some CO2 handy,I'll just get the cheap one from Wilkinsons for now, I can't go for Hambleton or soda stream just yet after recently pawning the family silver for more brewing kit. When we buy our next house I will be taking a thermometer.

[tomU]

I also like to split batches between barreling and bottling, so I bought a 10l budget barrel which I fill then I bottle the rest - that way I don't have to worry about half filled barrels.

http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/catalog/de ... COR2017256

[garwatts]

I did my 1st kit (Geordie Yorkshire Bitter) in a Wilkos budget barrel with just a vent. Held its pressure till about the last pint and a half! The beer was good as well

Bought a pressure cap from Glenbrew £6.95. Have a Tom Caxton in there at the moment and its coming out like cream flow! No gas necessary it seems. Its not cleared fully yet but I am having to test it every day to to make sure that there is not too much pressure

[KevP]

I also think some new brewers are getting disheartened but may not realise how the beer soaks up the CO2 in this cold weather, its quite surprising, I have had a barrel soak up three 1 second blasts of gas before a proper pint was pulled, but it was perfect after this, right to the last quart, but was full of gas before it went outside.

[garwatts]

Yes the pressure does disappear in the cold (like other bits ) Personally I like my ale at about 15 degrees. The flavour goes if it's too cold.

[Lillywhite]

..... in a Wilkos budget barrel with just a vent. Held its pressure till about the last pint and a half! The beer was good as well

That's what I've heard from other users of these barrels. The first of the three that I have recently purchased is shaping up to do the same.

I'm now reluctant to put my next brew in my one and only KK Top Tap keg and may buy another budget barrel.

[RatboyOllie]

ive got one of these kegs, not used it yet but plan to keg a cider over the weekend. Is there a problem with air glugging up through the tap and into the brew with these kegs, i dont have an s30 valved cap, its just the basic cap and so im a bit scared that if i dont drink it very quickly it'll go off?

Anyone any tips for best usage of these?

cheers

[Black_Sheep]

As an update, after I reseated the o ring and rubber band after two days in the warm it's holding pressure. It's a little cloudy but that could be the move or disturbance caused by the rate at which it comes out, drawing a little sediment, I'm going to give it a few more days and move it back to the "celler".

RatboyOllie if your cap looks like the attachment that's waht I've got. It's just a plastic lug with a pin hole covered by and elastic band, it will let gas out before the barrel explodes and retain enough pressure for your usage.

[THE EMBALMER]

2 x budget barrels from wilco or 1x king keg?
i know where my money is going not much complaints about budget but lots about kk probably cos they cost the most people are more upset when they go wrong.
or is it cos they is over priced pants...discuss

[KevP]

I have 3 KKTT's and a Wilko budget, had a problem with my KK's twice, but easily solved at no cost, the budget was fine too, I do like the Top Taps but don't know if I would get 3 again if I was just starting, they are bloody expensive, and I am just as happy with the cheapo budget.