I’m considering oxygenating my next batch with a stone. My question is must medical grade oxygen be used or can welding grade be used. I’m concerned about possible contamination that will not be present in medical O2.
Any comments from the fonte of knowledge…?
Over many batches, I’ve never had an issue using non-medical grade oxygen.
Thanks, I didn’t think it would hurt but wasn’t sure.
I have used welding grade oxygen for the last two hundred batches. No problems. I think particulate concerns in the gauges is a possibility but haven’t experienced that either.
I have an inline HEPA filter from the red Lowes tanks. Never had an issue.
couple hundred batches, no issues.
in my experience, you’re better off buying a big green refillable tank from a welder rather than using the red Bernzomatics.
I was luck enough to find a medical grade cylinder with the pressure gauge attached at one of our local storage lien sales. Have not yet filled or used it, as old red cylinder is still putting out O2. Once that dies, the new high tech cylinder goes into production mode at 1L/minute
I’ve been using the little red Bernz-O-Matic cylinders, no problem. It’s my understanding that since any impurities in oxygen pose a possible hazard the welding grade oxygen is just about as pure as medical grade.
I’m lucky to have a medical O2 bottle that I use. I think the most important part of using oxygen is to boil your stone for a few minutes then sanitize before using.
Most everyone does, since you technically can’t fill a Medical bottle without a prescription.
I think I read on one of the yeast mfr sites (Danstar?) that some hospital grade O2 contains a fungicide. They recommended industrial grade oxygen.
The source also says the best time to introduce oxygen into the wort is on the second day of the fermentation. According to them, that’s when the yeast need it most.
This is interesting. I’m really digging into yeast biology lately to make better beer, and I’ve been wondering about the timing of oxygenation. Especially after I pitched a bum batch of harvested slurry into a well-oxygenated wort 2 days ago. It’s just sitting there oxidizing while I’m letting my new starter get up to speed. I wish I’d waited to oxygenate.
Were they referring specifically to dry yeast?
I just soak mine in everclear.
Terrific info in preceding posts. I should read up on yeast biology as well, who would have thought to oxygenate on the second day…?
Many thanks to all!