Cold Crashing

Tiny · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 7:40 pm Post subject: Cold Crashing

Does anyone have a real good way of cold crashing and keeping the oxygen out?

I came up with this setup, seems to work pretty well really.

**kal** · Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 12:17 am Post subject:

Applying positive pressure with CO2 as you've done is most certainly a great way to ensure you don't suck back in atmosphere.

That's pretty much what I do as well as I cold crash once in the keg on CO2 pressure.

Kal

hbohnet · Joined: 22 Sep 2013 Posts: 33 Location: Canmore, AB

I do the same as you guys when cold crashing but am always concerned my reg will over pressure the fermenter as it seems to creep up after a while. There is a pressure relief on the fermenter but not sure it would vent enough to prevent over pressure so I just periodically turn the valve on to let some co2 in and then shut it off again. Kal, I know you use Micromatic regulators, do they maintain that low of a pressure consistently? Thanks

**kal** · Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 3:42 am Post subject:

hbohnet · Joined: 22 Sep 2013 Posts: 33 Location: Canmore, AB

I have an older taprite reg and works fine around normal pressures of 10 psi but does not work well in the 2 psi range. I am looking at purchasing a Micromatic and just trying to find out whether they work in that low range and sounds like they do. Thanks for the response.

**kal** · Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 4:03 am Post subject:

Good luck!

David_H · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 2:36 pm Post subject:

My 2 cents.

I have a Tee on the top of my conical, on one leg is the gas fitting and on the other I have a very large balloon. I inflate the balloon with only a fraction of a psi. The balloon will deflate as the beer is cooled, both back filling the volume and by some carbonation into the beer. I re-inflate the balloon as required.

hbohnet · Joined: 22 Sep 2013 Posts: 33 Location: Canmore, AB

What a great idea! Sure solves my problem with poor pressure regulation at the low end. Thanks David.

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 2:53 pm Post subject: Re: Cold Crashing

itsnotrequired · Joined: 15 Sep 2015 Posts: 177 Location: central wi

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 2:57 pm Post subject:

**kal** · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 4:29 pm Post subject:

I recommend cold crashing once in the brite tank if possible as gelatin will work better, but I don't have an easy way to do this so I don't. I've always been happy with the results.

Not that all beers are different too - I don't always use a brite tank, for example.

Kal

Tiny · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 11:41 pm Post subject: Re: Cold Crashing

Tiny · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 11:43 pm Post subject:

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:17 am Post subject:

I'm going to pull the trigger on one this week. I've already got the 7 gallon and am very happy with that one

hbohnet · Joined: 22 Sep 2013 Posts: 33 Location: Canmore, AB

I'm sure you will be happy with the 1/2 barrel conical. I bought one in the brewmaster edition and is probably the best piece of equipment I purchased for my brewery. I have the CIP spray ball setup that makes cleaning and sanitizing a breeze. Also built a chiller from an old air conditioner for cold crashing. Streamlined the whole process from BK to keg.

jonymac · Joined: 18 Dec 2014 Posts: 145

Tiny · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 2:54 am Post subject:

I ferment in a large upright freezer, equipped with a temp controller. So cold crashing is no work at all. I simply, drop the yeast out the bottom. Then turn the freezer down to 28F. Let set a day or two, with my CO2 at about 2 psi. Then just push nice clear beer into 3 kegs via the racking port.

This works well for me, but everyone has their own system. That's what makes this hobby so much fun to share.