Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Keg Filling from Open Top Fermenters

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Keg Filling from Open Top Fermenters

    I am sure this is just a mental block. I'm trying to figure out how to fill kegs from my Open Top Fermenters. Two of our 5bbl open tops have lids. I can use counter pressure to fill kegs from these two, but our 8.5bbl doesn't have a lid to put pressure too. I had planned to build a force carbonation manifold to carbonate 5-10 kegs at a time.

    I will also be filling kegs when needed from our 3 brite tanks. However, I know the time will come when my fermenters and brite tanks will be filled and I'll need to fill kegs from our 8.5bbl.

    Thanks guys,
    Jeff

  • #2
    How about this?

    VFD-controlled pump drawing from the FV on the low pressure side, then on the high pressure side, a T, sight glass, and carb stone leading to the counter pressured keg.

    When we set up like this to carb our SVs (don't even ask why there's no stone), I put the right angle down, then the sight glass on one side and the 14" TC carb stone on the other. Then it's set it and forget it for an hour or so.

    That's my first thought anyway.

    Bill

    Comment


    • #3
      I have used open fermentors on many systems. Never have I even considered racking from an open fermentor into kegs. It just doesn't make sense to do so in my opinion.

      things to think about.
      1. an open fermentor can ruin your beer if left unprotected by the krausen. once primary fermentation is complete, you need to rack that beer into a closed pressure vessel. otherwise, once the krausen has dropped and diminished, the Os could attack your beer and oxidize the whole batch. in my experience (I have brewed a couple hundred batches into open fermentors) I always racked out of opens on the day of following a proper D rest. that way, some yeast drops and I can move it to dry hop or crash.

      2. how would you be moving the beer from open into kegs? gravity? pump? I typically rack beer under pressure that is already carbonated, but when I rack from barrels, I still do so under a tiny bit of pressure or at least using a beer pump.

      3. how are you pressurizing a tank that just had lids?? are these tanks pressure rated? or just clamp down lids without pressure rating? be very careful... it doesn't take much for a steal tank to rupture if it isn't designed for pressure. also... if this tank is 'sealed' better watch out for a vacuum, don't want to suck a tank. never done it, but I have some friends who have.

      I would be interested to understand more of how you would plan to not get O2 into the beer...

      Originally posted by ImperialPint View Post
      I am sure this is just a mental block. I'm trying to figure out how to fill kegs from my Open Top Fermenters. Two of our 5bbl open tops have lids. I can use counter pressure to fill kegs from these two, but our 8.5bbl doesn't have a lid to put pressure too. I had planned to build a force carbonation manifold to carbonate 5-10 kegs at a time.

      I will also be filling kegs when needed from our 3 brite tanks. However, I know the time will come when my fermenters and brite tanks will be filled and I'll need to fill kegs from our 8.5bbl.

      Thanks guys,
      Jeff
      Last edited by MatthewS; 11-02-2015, 07:02 PM.
      ________________
      Matthew Steinberg
      Co-Founder
      Exhibit 'A' Brewing Co.
      Framingham, MA USA

      Head Brewer
      Filler of Vessels
      Seller of Liquid
      Barreled Beer Aging Specialist
      Yeast Wrangler
      Microbe Handler
      Malt Slinger
      Hop Sniffer
      Food Eater
      Music Listener

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by MatthewS View Post
        I have used open fermentors on many systems. Never have I even considered racking from an open fermentor into kegs. It just doesn't make sense to do so in my opinion.

        things to think about.
        1. an open fermentor can ruin your beer if left unprotected by the krausen. once primary fermentation is complete, you need to rack that beer into a closed pressure vessel. otherwise, once the krausen has dropped and diminished, the Os could attack your beer and oxidize the whole batch. in my experience (I have brewed a couple hundred batches into open fermentors) I always racked out of opens on the day of following a proper D rest. that way, some yeast drops and I can move it to dry hop or crash.

        2. how would you be moving the beer from open into kegs? gravity? pump? I typically rack beer under pressure that is already carbonated, but when I rack from barrels, I still do so under a tiny bit of pressure or at least using a beer pump.

        3. how are you pressurizing a tank that just had lids?? are these tanks pressure rated? or just clamp down lids without pressure rating? be very careful... it doesn't take much for a steal tank to rupture if it isn't designed for pressure. also... if this tank is 'sealed' better watch out for a vacuum, don't want to suck a tank. never done it, but I have some friends who have.

        I would be interested to understand more of how you would plan to not get O2 into the beer...
        I'm waiting to hear back from the manufacture to see if the tanks will hold ANY pressure. I'm hoping they'll be able to hold at least 5psi so I can keep the variable capacity lid on them. While I transfer tanks for potential clarifying or at least be able to hold some amount of pressure so I can at least throw in some secondary adjuncts. That being said I'm just looking for some opinions. Were under budget significantly still so I was looking at either a diaphragm pump or VFD-controlled pump, something to move the liquid gently.

        That being said once the fermentation ends the beer will be transferred no matter what it takes (gravity, counter-pressure or a pump) into serving vessels.

        Comment

        Working...
        X