Carbonating outside of chest freezer

[Hawkeye]

So, my wife rocks and got me some additional kegging equipment. I currently have four kegs hooked up in a chest freezer with a co2 4 way distributer.

She got me this:





So...the chest freezer I got is at it's max. I am curious if I can carbonate these extra kegs and store at room temp (~64 degrees in the basement) until the chest freezer kegs go dry--and swap out.

My concern is that the temp differential between the basement and the chest freezer (40) might have a detrimental effect on the carbonation...or will it be ok? I know light, heat, and oxygen are the enemies of beer.

I could possibly swing another chest freezer, but was hoping to not have to sink the extra cash in it right away. What are your thoughts army?

john

[Field]

you just have to set the PSI higher on the 2 outside of the freezer to get them to carb to the right level


http://letmegooglethatforyou.com/?q=keg+carbonating+chart

[Mylo]

Yes, said differently - the amount of CO2 dissolved in beer is a factor of temp and pressure. If you maintain 12 PSI on beer stored at 40 degrees - you will get ~2.5 vols. If you want 2.5 vols on beer stored at 64 degrees - you will use 25.3 PSI. Note: if you don't have check valves on your gas lines - then wait until the keg that you swapped in comes down to 40 degrees before you hook up the gas line - otherwise you will blow a bunch of CO2 back up into your other kegs.


Mylo

[Bugeater]

I do most of my carbonation at room temperature. That way I don't have to deal with a non functional tap while the keg carbonates. I can always have 4 taps ready to go except for the time it takes the keg to cool to serving temperature.

Wayne

[Hawkeye]

Thanks to each of you for your input. Sounds like I might be able to hold off the chest freezer for a while, although it will probably come by the end of next year. I never thought about the check valves you were speaking of to prevent the backward flow, so...I'll be cautious. Thanks.

My kegs are down to 2 1/2 because of all the christmas beers i gave away, but i hope to remedy that in the next month or so of continous brewing.


john

[Crackin]

Get a bigger chest freezer. Look on craigs list. I got mine for free and it is a big one. I had two carboys, one bucket, and a couple kegs in there when I was fermenting lagers. No need to waste money on refridgeration when it can be better spent on perlick's and drip trays, etc.