Re: Bulk storage 101

[MikeB...@aol.com]

Hi Adam,

 

I have a low-tech Co2 system, in which a cylinder is connected to the top of the IBC via a nylon-to-rubbery push fit pipe.  A valve is opened (clothes peg removed from bent rubbery pipe) and a shot of gas is sent in by screwing down on a cheap and totally inadequate regulator. 

 

Since the lids don't seal particularly well the resulting over-atmospheric pressure is slowly vented with, I hope, the fresh Co2 sitting on the bottom and any air and/or Co2/air mix being forced out. 

 

I try to second-guess needs.  When drawing off obviously, but when the cider is cooling and reabsorbing gasses too - so regular shots through the autumn, less through the spring.  I get a bit of white growth on the top of some while others stay clear as a bell - I don't know why - but as far as I can tell there is no flavour damage yet.

 

I've started doing the same with 220L barrals, but a word of caution: I split one by over-pressurising it.  The seal was good, and the barrel almost full, and of course just a little gas created pressure that the barrel wasn't designed to take.

 

I've thought about rigging up an ultra low pressure feed system that I could connect to all barrels and IBC's, gas on demand and automatic venting in one, but haven't made any progress along those lines.  

 

I think I'd have to make a low pressure accumulator and charge that by hand - a big balloon would do it.  If I could detect the balloon size and and use that to operate a gas solenoid, hey presto, automatic ultra low pressure Co2!  Anyone know where you can buy large durable ballons?  There might be a more reliable  way using a head of water, and a bag-in-bag bag inside a closed container.  Or a water u-tube arrangement.  I'm sure there are proper regulators for this sort of thing, but I'd expect them to be be dear.

 

Mike

 

 

Some people seem to manage racking into increasingly small vessels but from my perspective I want to pump around as little as possible.

Are there other options I don't know about?

I would be really interested to hear how other producers sell a batch of cider gradually without introducing air and without breaking the bank.

Thanks
Adam

[Tim]

You need an aspirator, it will just give a blanket every time you draw off the cider.

 

Tim

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[MikeB...@aol.com]

Has this actually been tested on IBCs and plastic barrels Tim?  Does it allow excess gas to escape?  Having split one barrel and blown up one IBC to a good dome with left-on gas held back by a finger of rubber glove held on with a rubber band (my indicator - it did finally let go) I'm very aware of the dangers!  ' A few pounds' (psi I imagine, the description I've read) might well be enough.

 

Mike

 

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[Tim]

It only fills the space to about 2lb if I remember correctly, not sure what would happen with plastic though.