Cask breather with a polykeg

[Dave S]

Yeah, I see the point of not needing the breather with a corny as they are meant really for force carbing. I think the breather is useful where gentler pressure or natural conditioning is desirable. I guess then that a breather would serve as a fail safe when the naturally produced CO2 is running low in order to prevent air being taken in. Hmm, now I'm thinking back to the LPG reg as being a good substitute. I think in the end there's going to be a fair bit of trial and error.

[Dave S]

I use a proper cask breather on my setup with a JG valve in the line between the breather and the cask .I close this valve between servings.This stops gas escaping backwards via the breather vent.
With the lpg regulator you would not have this problem,I find the beer keeps its condition whilst the cask(on your case polykeg) remains in use at least 3 weeks in my case.
my concern would be if the cask was not properly vented before connecting the regulator that the beer would be too fizzy as it would not be able to release excess pressure which a true cask breather can do.

Yes, that's my worry, Paul. If the excess gas can't escape there seems little point having the breather. Maybe I need to splash out on a proper one.

I'm guessing that a cask breather is a better choice where you have primed the beer - the fermentation will generate gas that you want to vent. My plan is to force carbonate in a keg at a low pressure (5 to 10psi) and serve at this pressure through a check valve to the beer engine. So in this case I don't need to vent.

I'm just beginning to experiment with this too. I took the cheap route and bought the mini propane regulator instead of an expensive authentic cask breather. The only downside I can see--which you all have already mentioned--is that it's not a two-way valve which would automatically vent whenever the pressure exceeds 37 mBars = 2.8kpa = .4-.5 psi.

But, just to play devil's advocate, why is that a real problem?

I realize this method could allow a higher level of carbonation than strict CAMRA rules might dictate, but on the other hand, if it's due to priming and secondary fermentation isn't that the very definition of cask conditioning, and wouldn't a little extra natural carbonation simply assist in dispensing a nice foamy beer?

To summarize, even if our poor-man's-cask-breather allowed a bit higher CO2 pressure to remain, isn't that okay for our intents and purposes? It would still be much gentler carbonation than modern force-carbonated keg beer, right?

These are sincere questions, I'm not trying to make a case. What do you guys think? Am I missing something important, such as, might the excess pressure damage the regulator or beer engine?

I think you have valid points there, Seymour. As my previous post indicates, I am starting to think of the breather as a fail safe to stop aire getting into the system. I think if using a beer engine though, a check valve would be wise in order to prevent beer being forced through when at rest.

[seymour]

...I think you have valid points there, Seymour. As my previous post indicates, I am starting to think of the breather as a fail safe to stop aire getting into the system. I think if using a beer engine though, a check valve would be wise in order to prevent beer being forced through when at rest.

You're exactly right, I didn't think of that. Aargh, there goes more money!

While skimming some sites selling check valves, I read "for use with beer engines without their own check valve." I take that to mean some beer engines DO have a built-in check valve? I don't know how to tell though, do you?

[Dave S]

...I think you have valid points there, Seymour. As my previous post indicates, I am starting to think of the breather as a fail safe to stop aire getting into the system. I think if using a beer engine though, a check valve would be wise in order to prevent beer being forced through when at rest.

You're exactly right, I didn't think of that. Aargh, there goes more money!

While skimming some sites selling check valves, I read "for use with beer engines without their own check valve." I take that to mean some beer engines DO have a built-in check valve? I don't know how to tell though, do you?

I've no idea other than visual inspection. I've just bought a BE, possibly foolishly as I have no idea how I'm going to find the space to use it I'm sure I'll work something out

[rpt]

I can see that a cask breather is necessary when using a cask, or polykeg, but with a corney set up it is redundant.

Why is a polykeg different from a corny?

[adeybambam]

Sorry my fault - I was thinking of a polypin (ie plastic cask). Polykegs (if I'm thinking of the right thing) would be no different to corney. As an aside, the only reason for 5psi is to seal the lid. If that isn't an issue with a poly keg, why not just set the pressure lower? Force carb would be minimal. Check valve a must though.

[asd]

Sorry my fault - I was thinking of a polypin (ie plastic cask). Polykegs (if I'm thinking of the right thing) would be no different to corney. As an aside, the only reason for 5psi is to seal the lid. If that isn't an issue with a poly keg, why not just set the pressure lower? Force carb would be minimal. Check valve a must though.

It is definitely NOT an issue with a Polykeg!