Advice for best carbonation within 1 weeks time

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Jesse14, Apr 4, 2015.

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  1. Jesse14

    Jesse14 Initiate (0) Jul 21, 2011 Massachusetts

    I want to submit an IPA for a comp but will only have about 1 week from the time I put it in the keg and on the gas until I have to bottle it for turn in. I typically set and forget and get the level of carbonation I like within 12-14 days. How do I do it within 1 week?

    I see some guys set at 30 psi for 24 hrs and then back it down to 10 psi after. Anybody have any other tried and true methods for me?
     
    #1 Jesse14, Apr 4, 2015
  2. bathtubbrewer

    bathtubbrewer Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2015 New Hampshire

    #2 bathtubbrewer, Apr 4, 2015
  3. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    What temperature and psi do you normally use? It generally takes 7-10 days for my beer to fully carb at 12psi and 38F.
     
    #3 Brew_Betty, Apr 4, 2015
  4. Jesse14

    Jesse14 Initiate (0) Jul 21, 2011 Massachusetts

    I'm 10 psi at 42 degrees.
     
    #4 Jesse14, Apr 4, 2015
  5. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    That makes 2.2vols of CO2 which is kinda low, but not too low. It's just enough to get some bubbles when fully carbed.

    Colder temperatures seems to help the CO2 to absorb a little quicker. 36F and 12psi makes 2.67vols. You might want to try lower temperatures and slightly higher pressures than you currently use.

    [​IMG]

    The other option is force carbing at 30psi which can carb the beer in a day or two. I've never tried it.
     
    #5 Brew_Betty, Apr 4, 2015
  6. Jesse14

    Jesse14 Initiate (0) Jul 21, 2011 Massachusetts

    I do like around 2.3 vol for my IPA's. I can get it carbed in about 7 days. However, to get the finer bubbles and ideal mouthfeel it takes another 5-7 days. You might but right though. A colder kegerator temp should get there quicker.
     
    #6 Jesse14, Apr 4, 2015
  7. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    I have always used the 40/25/10 psi method for 24 hrs each @ 38*F when I'm in a hurry. Be sure to burb the keg when lowering the pressure.
     
    #7 GreenKrusty101, Apr 4, 2015
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  8. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    The three day carb, eh? I might have to try that some day.
     
    #8 Brew_Betty, Apr 4, 2015
  9. PortLargo

    PortLargo Pooh-Bah (1,831) Oct 19, 2012 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    I've used the 30psi for a day and it probably speeds things along, but it still seems like a full week goes by before it's really carbed correctly. What does work is to transfer a small amount to another keg (~1 gal), this will definitely speed up those bubbles. I regularly split a 5 gallon batch with my co-brewer and the resulting 2.5 gallons are ready mucho rapido ('bout half the time). Also, for a comp, I would target something a little closer to 2.5 so the judges can score it as a medium carbonation level . . . then crank it down for your personal druthers.
     
    #9 PortLargo, Apr 4, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2015
    ChrisMyhre, GreenKrusty101, Jesse14 and 1 other person like this.
  10. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    Agree
     
    #10 GreenKrusty101, Apr 5, 2015
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