Force carbing kegs - temperature question

[jat147]

Howdy,
We have just brewed our first batch of Munich Helles and have began filling 50L sanke kegs with it. We dont have any pressure tanks so have had to fill the kegs with the lager flat and intend to force carb them. Our walk in chiller will cost too much to run at very cold temps, so we've decided to carb the kegs one at a time in a large fridge - where we can easily get down to 37F and hold under pressure for a week to achieve the right level of co2.

Stupid question alert!
When we've achieved the desired level of carbonation in each keg, can we store the kegs at room temp?
What I mean is, will there be an effect on the dissolved co2? It sounds like a stupid question as the keg is pressurised and so can't lose carbonation subsequently - can it??
When the keg is delivered and the temp is dropped to serving temp again, will the carbonation return to the desired level?
Many thanks

[Junkyard]

Howdy,
We have just brewed our first batch of Munich Helles and have began filling 50L sanke kegs with it. We dont have any pressure tanks so have had to fill the kegs with the lager flat and intend to force carb them. Our walk in chiller will cost too much to run at very cold temps, so we've decided to carb the kegs one at a time in a large fridge - where we can easily get down to 37F and hold under pressure for a week to achieve the right level of co2.

Stupid question alert!
When we've achieved the desired level of carbonation in each keg, can we store the kegs at room temp?
What I mean is, will there be an effect on the dissolved co2? It sounds like a stupid question as the keg is pressurised and so can't lose carbonation subsequently - can it??
When the keg is delivered and the temp is dropped to serving temp again, will the carbonation return to the desired level?
Many thanks

you answered your own question. The keg is sealed and therefore cannot loose any Co2.

You can force carb kegs to the correct level of carbonation at room temperature too, the equalization pressure will just be higher at room temp.
the solubility of gas in a liquid decreases as temperature goes up, but you can force the correct amount of Co2 into the liquid with higher pressure. so you really can force carb your kegs in your walk in cooler. It would be an unnecessary waste of time to force carb kegs in a tiny fridge one by one when you have a walk in cooler.

look at this chart

http://www.zahmnagel.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=HuVGZ8tLaow%3D&tabid=81

pick out your desired volumes of Co2, and pick out the temperature of your walk in cooler. Then you will see the pressure you need to equalize at in order to be carbonated correctly.

After you have correctly carbonated beer at cooler temp, you can remove the kegs from the cooler let them sit at room temp. The pressure in the keg will increase because the solubility of co2 in the beer decreases forcing gas into the headspace until it equalizes at a higher pressure according to that chart. none of the co2 has left the keg, it just needs to be cooled down and equalized in order to be served correctly.

hope this helps, i would advise picking up a instructional book about draft systems and carbonation if you want to learn the ins and outs

[TL Services]

The pressure in the keg will increase because the solubility of co2 in the beer decreases forcing gas into the headspace until it equalizes at a higher pressure according to that chart. none of the co2 has left the keg, it just needs to be cooled down and equalized in order to be served correctly.

Excellent - like the man says!