carbonation?

[shaffick]

finally after making my very first home brew, i am very happy with the taste and body but it is lacking in fizz. i am using a 5 gallon pressure barrel with gas but am not getting enough carbonation in my lager. is it possible to achieve carbonation like a pub pint or can with the equipment ive got? or do i have to purchase a cornelius keg?. finally i am using a 1 second burst of gas with my barrel or can i use a 2 second burst? thanks for your help.

[rick_huggins]

Did you prime with brewing sugar (85g) and have you checked for leaks?

[shaffick]

i primed with sugar . i did notice a hissing sound from valve after 24-48 hours after transfer. i replaced seals on valve and cap but maybe too much pressure was realeased? do you agree?

[rick_huggins]

How long have you had it in the keg?

I'm sure a skoosh (1 sec) of Co2 would have replaced any natural carb you lost whilst doing the seals..

[shaffick]

its been in the keg for over a month now

[Lillywhite]

is it possible to achieve carbonation like a pub pint or can with the equipment ive got? or do i have to purchase a cornelius keg?

In a nutshell - no. Kegs are only rated 9-10 psi whereas you can force carbonate lager using a corni to 100-120 psi to give you your desired fizz.

[techtone]

i am using a 5 gallon pressure barrel with gas but am not getting enough carbonation in my lager. is it possible to achieve carbonation like a pub pint or can with the equipment ive got?

The colder the better. You could get that sort of carbonation by keeping the keg at fridge temperatures.

[Lillywhite]

You could get that sort of carbonation by keeping the keg at fridge temperatures.

Still won't have the same amount of fizz that a corni could provide with forced carbonation.

[StoutFellow]

First brew in 20 odd years (bitter).. Decided that I would try using those wee CO2 capsules on a value keg, as I seem to remember running out of pressure was a common fault the last time.

My question is - when should I add the CO2?
Just after I keg the brew/before natural carbonation?
After a few days?
Once I move it to the cool?
Just before I start drinking?
Once I've started drinking and the pressure begins to drop?

[Normski]

Hi Stoutfellow
You will need to add Co2 when the presure drops.
After you've poured 3 or 4 pints the presure will be lower, if you cant pour anymore or it starts to suck back through the tap. You'll need to add some Co2 or leave it over night and it should re Presurise it's self and you can start drinking it again. when a keg is nearly empty you may need to add Co2 to get the last few pints out. Some beers give enough to last all the way to the last pint without adding any Co2.
Co2 is not only for presure it's also needed to keep a blanket of Co2 over the surface of the beer to keep it fresh.