Beer Forum

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

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

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

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

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

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.