I looked back about 3-4 pages on the forum to see what good threads I could find before starting this post. I found some good info, but wanted to throw it out there anyway to get some more current feedback.
I have always gone with the set it and forget method when it comes to carbing my kegs. Very happy with that, but I just tapped two new kegs and have two more batches which will be ready to be kegged within the next 2-3 days. Without extra CO2 tanks I can’t go with the set ti and forget it method right now so I wanted to get some info on priming my keg with corn sugar (like bottles).
I know I will get a little more sediment, but that is no big concern for me. I can deal with that. DO I use less corn sugar because of increased head space? Use the same amount I would use for bottles?
Are there any other pros and / or cons to doing this based on my setup? I could always bottle the next batch or two, but wanted to have at least 1 or 2 backup kegs for when the two I have tapped run out which will be in a few weeks.
When I do this I use about the same amount of sugar as with bottles. Some advocate using about 75% of what you would when priming bottles. You’ll find what works best in your brewery.
I’ve used the same amount of priming sugar and been happy. The bonus is you can mix the sugar and then fill a few bottles immediately out of the keg for saving or giving away. Whatever amount you use will probably be fine though since the carbonation will equalize later once it is put under CO2.
Yeah - definitely purge it before and after racking.
Remember to condition it at the proper temp. Don’t stick it in your kegerator at 40F until its ready (which sounds like a goof I would readily make). Then you can cold crash in the kegerator and pull a few pints to remove the yeast.
Personally, I’d just leave the new kegs on gas any time you aren’t actively pouring from the ones currently on tap. You can also shake them to speed carbonation.