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Maximum dissolved O2 via aeration pump and stone at pitch temp?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by YourBeerRunner, Mar 23, 2023.

  1. YourBeerRunner

    YourBeerRunner Aspirant (212) May 3, 2022

    I came across this statement by a reputable source, MoreBeer, on the sales page for an aquarium pump, which pumps only filtered room air through a 2 micron stone:

    "The down side is that aeration takes longer than oxygenation...[and so] the diffusion stone must be left running in the wort for approximately 30–120 minutes (however even 5 minutes of aeration is better than shaking the carboy.)"

    This implies that more time, up to 120 minutes = more dissolved O2, by using ONLY room air. Is it true that I can aerate beyond 8 ppm by aerating longer than 5 minutes using this method? According to John Palmer, who references his source in his How to Brew book, clearly states that 8 ppm is achievable using this method, but does not provide data for >5 minutes. Even Wyeast states 8ppm is the max using room air.

    The yeast are looking for answers.
     
    #1 YourBeerRunner, Mar 23, 2023
  2. VikeMan

    VikeMan Pooh-Bah (2,993) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    The problem with going beyond about 8-9 ppm with room air and agitation (either shaking or air pumping) is that once you reach roughly 8 ppm, you lose O2 as quickly as you gain it, i.e. you've reached a sort of equilibrium.
     
    #2 VikeMan, Mar 23, 2023
    billandsuz likes this.
  3. YourBeerRunner

    YourBeerRunner Aspirant (212) May 3, 2022

    Thank you. I figured. I'm not sure what they really meant by that. They do a good job ... and want to sell products.

    A little upgrade from the air pump and shaking:
    [​IMG]
     
    #3 YourBeerRunner, Mar 23, 2023
  4. premierpro

    premierpro Savant (1,048) Mar 21, 2009 Michigan

    I use a stir paddle on a drill motor. 3 minutes does the job for me!
     
    #4 premierpro, Mar 27, 2023
    JackHorzempa likes this.
  5. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (1,963) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    What @VikeMan said.

    I will add that your wort may be just fine with 8 ppm D.O. and probably is. Homebrewers love to have a solution in search of a problem (myself included).

    I'm not suggesting you should not look in oxygen injection with a cylinder, only that you shouldn't expect all that dramatic of a difference.

    Cheers
     
    #5 billandsuz, Mar 27, 2023
    skivtjerry likes this.
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