Aeration/Oxygenation Question

[joshwilfong]

I am looking into purchasing an aeration or oxygenation system.

I had seen an aeration system on both Northern Brewer and Morebeer, which seemed affordable, but unfortunately both stores are currently out of the product. Are there any other complete systems available that anyone is aware of and would recommend?

I strongly considered purchasing an oxygenation system, but the expense and difficulty obtaining the O2 tank and refills is tempering my enthusiasm, are these legitimate reasons to pursue aeration instead?


Any help would be greatly appreciate.

[ajdelange]

With an aeration system you can never exceed about 8 mg/L and while this is adequate in most cases sometimes you want more (I run 15 - 20 as a matter of course with most of my lagers). Obtaining the equipment for oxygenation shouldn't be difficult. A 60 cu ft (I think it is) bottle of welding O2 is relatively small, not that expensive and available (and refillable) at any welding or gas supplier. All you need beyond that is a regulator, tubing and an aeration stone though a flow meter is very nice to have.

[Puttie00]

I have this aerator, and it works great.http://www.grapegrainandbeanstore.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=4989

[Quin]

I have this one from Williams and like it. I'll soak it it star san to sanitize it. I'll start the flow of oxygen in the sanitizer and then put it into the wort. After aerating, I'll remove it from the wort and put it back in the sanitizer (still pumping O2). I feel like as long as there is gas coming out of the stone, I have less to worry about contamination from material getting into the cracks and crevices of the stone.

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/WILLIAM_ ... 37C106.cfm

[Fugglupagus]

I'm also a fan of the wand from Williams Brewing. It stays rigid and goes where I want it to, which as an older fella, are traits I can really stand behind. I stand mine up in a small saucepan of boiling water to sanitize the stone end. I then stand it in a pitcher of sanitizer until I need it.

You should be able to find a disposable O2 tank at any hardware store that has welding supplies. I get mine from either Home Depot (Bernzomatic) or Lowes (Worthington) for less than $10.

[pfooti]

I have the northern brewer aeration system, and am pretty pleased with it. The think to remember for aeration is that is you're pitching active yeast, they start using oxygen pretty much right away. According to palmer, if you get your oxygen levels to 8 ppm, they'll eat that in less than an hour. That's why it is a good idea to aerate for 30+ minutes if you're using air (and that's 30 minutes after pitching). On the plus side, you won't ever over-oxygenate, which is a danger of using pure O2.

On the minus side, I was unable to actually aerate for 30 minutes without adding Fermcap-S to my wort. Too much foam otherwise.

If you get the little oxygen tank system such as those linked in this thread, it's pretty easy to get a new tank. Most hardware stores (even the little ones) sell the little red bottles of O2.