When racking beer into a 5 gallon keg from a bucket, I used to double purge a keg with C02 and fill the keg with the lid off and the racking tube dangling in the bottom of the keg. I’m usually then fighting with the hose to make sure it isn’t facing up splashing all over the place (hard to see in a keg that was just purged with C02). The last time I was watching my beer run into the keg, it occurred to me to just leave it closed and fill it through the diptube. I realize others have probably been doing this forever, but it was the first time I thought about it. I gave it a shot and it works pretty good (siphons a little slower I noticed). Although I’m sure there is still some oxygen getting in there as I understand purging is more of an oxygen C02 mixing step then a complete purge, but this at least seems like a slightly better method to minimize any oxygen during the transfer.
Remember to first release the C02 in the keg before you hook up the ball lock with the siphon hose attached, or you’ll have your racking cane go for a ride (mine did). Before you hook up the ball lock, it might be best to press the ball lock from the bottom and give the siphon a few pumps to get the flow going, which hopefully will push out any oxygen in the tubing. Once you get the beer flowing into the keg, keep releasing the keg vent to keep it going or just leave it in the open position. If you are going to be putting hops in the keg, this still works well. I just put the bag of hops in the keg prior to purging it with C02; I figure this probably helps remove any oxygen from the hops anyways.
For the setup in the picture, I purchased a threaded liquid ball lock and a swivel nut (barb), depending on what size barb you purchase determines the racking hose size. I’d probably just buy a barb to fit your current racking hose.
Examples of what I’m talking about:
Threaded liquid ball lock: http://www.midwestsupplies.com/ball-lock-liquid-disconnect-threaded.html
Barbed Swivel Nut: http://www.midwestsupplies.com/barbed-swivel-nut.html
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I take a similar approach to racking my fermented beer into the corney kegs. The differences with mine is that I’m fermenting in a modified 15.5 sanke keg where the top of a corney keg has been welded to the sanke (similar to a sabco keg). Prior to transferring the beer to the corney, like you I purge it with CO2. I bleed most of the co2 out of the corney to prevent back flushing into my fermenter. The slight difference between my process and yours, and I’ve found it to be more of a simple approach, is to hook up a ball lock co2 fitting with some hose attached to it on the inlet side of the corney. I stick the hose end in a bucket of clean water. This allows pressure to automatically release from the corney as beer is pushed in. I’m not completely sure if in your process you obtain a lot of pressure in your corney because you are only gravity transferring, however in my setup I’m pushing the beer from the fermenter to the corney with CO2. Here’s an image of the setup: http://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/attachments/f253/248000d1420961137-brew-stand-build-progress-pictures-20141213_113039.jpg
That’s genius! Did you buy the sanke with the lid welded or or build it? Transferring with C02 is always the best method in my opinion.
Great tip, can’t believe I haven’t thought of this before! My next keg will be filled this way for sure.
Great setup! I have a 1/2″ autosiphon, which is a pain as the tubing is too big to attach nicely over a ball connect. However, the tubing does fit perfectly over the threaded liquid out post. Any reason why this wouldn’t work just as well? I will cinch the tube with a clamp to make sure it doesn’t come unattached. I should probably try with water first haha…
You mean if you remove the ball lock fitting? I guess that would work, but then it’s not technically “closed.” I ended up getting a larger swivel nut to that goes onto the liquid ball lock (http://www.chicompany.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=375_19_220_286&products_id=594) which allows for slightly bigger tubing (5/16).
Scott – how do you not overfill the keg should the fermenter volume be slightly over 5 gallons?
I have the same question. How do you not overfill the keg? Is there anyway if knowing how full the keg is?
You can fill the keg while it’s on his scale to give you an idea. But typically I can tell how much I’m putting in by just looking at how much is out of the fermenter. If it does start to overfill you’ll hear it and you can just unhook it quickly.
Hi, I tried this but seems like the beer wont go in. It works with water but not with beer for me. (Yes, i have the gas line disconnect as valve on), i think its clogging and doesnt want to go through the black disconnect. Obviously I am doing something incorrect, any suggestions?