force carb

[Belgian Inspired]

Perhaps an idiotic question but if I use the force carb chart how many days does it take to carb? I think I have it set at 17psi @ 52 degrees

[brewinhard]

I am not sure at 52 deg, but at 40 and lower it usually takes about 5 days for me.

[PSUHomebrewer]

I let mine sit a week at 35-40. Usually the longer you let it sit the better, not that the carbonation level changes, but the bubble size become more consistent; after a week there some small and a few large bubbles but after 3 weeks it they are all small.

[Belgian Inspired]

Wow....glad I asked....with mine being at the higher temp I'm sure it would take longer...I guess I will bump down the temp and bump up the psi and wait patiently

[animaldoc]

Just remember if you drop the temp and bump the psi you may overcarbonate ...... you've just changed the equilibrium factors for calculating volumes of CO2.

You will get to your desired point more quickly ........ and easily overshoot it if you aren't paying attention.

I usually just set at my desired point and wait a week or two. If I need the beer in a hurry, I'll set it at 30psi for 24 hours then vent the keg and reset to my desired point and wait a few more days. Some people set high and shake and can have carbonated beer in a few hours. What volume of CO2? Who knows. But it's BEER.

-- Scott

[ajdelange]

I let mine sit a week at 35-40. Usually the longer you let it sit the better, not that the carbonation level changes, but the bubble size become more consistent; after a week there some small and a few large bubbles but after 3 weeks it they are all small.

I think this is a key point. It just takes time for the CO2 to "meld" with the beer. Wish I understood the physics of that!

[Belgian Inspired]

No Rush.....I wait for good beer. The best thing brewing has taught me is patience. I will keep it as is. I'm coming up on a week now....I'll just wait a few more days and check it again. I gotta say it's pretty damn cool to have draft at home

[snowcapt]

I gotta say it's pretty damn cool to have draft at home

Yes it is! It is right up there with the birth of a child.
Depending on what I have going and how much beer I have on hand, I generally set it low and check it everycouple of days. I used to chill it down and crank up the pressure and shake the be-jesus out of it. I still do it, but not as often.
Good luck and enjoy the fruit flies!