I could use some advice from y'all regarding using a counter pressure filler (CPF) going from a FermZilla to bottles. (I'm still saving $ to build a keezer and switch entirely to kegging.)
I have a FermZilla 30L All Rounder and plan to pressure ferment at 60-65F, and I can't refrigerate the FermZilla. Therefore, I chose to use a CPF and fill bottles directly from the FermZilla. (I don't mind the extra complexity vs. using a beer gun.) I plan to brew malty lagers and ales at 15PSI, usually FG 1.010 (5%-8% ABV). I'd prefer not calculating CO2 volume differences (FermZilla post-ferment vs target bottle CO2 volume), so I thought a pressure xfer would be best.
Thoughts so far:
1. I plan to ferment at 15 PSI
2. Using CO2 calculator, I need 27 PSI at 65.
3. The FermZilla's rated to 35 PSI, so at post-ferment, I can either increase pressure to 27 PSI or pressure-xfer to a corny keg and then increase its PSI to 27.
4. Once my CO2 volume hits the desired level, I'll use the CPF and spend the whole day bottling.
5. Am I over-complicating things by considering a keg?
6. Is 1 method (FermZilla -> bottles vs. adding the keg in the middle) harder, more risky, more prone to excess foaming, etc.?
7. I'm assuming standard 5/16" beer line, but I'm inexperienced here. (Maybe it'd be better to use 1/4" because of the higher pressure? Or have I got this backwards?)
8. For beer line diameter and length, I expect to figure it out with a calculator, e.g. Determining Proper hose length for your Kegerator
Your thoughts, please?
PS I also had this idea: xfer to a 1gal mini keg, refrigerate that, then bottle from it.
I have a FermZilla 30L All Rounder and plan to pressure ferment at 60-65F, and I can't refrigerate the FermZilla. Therefore, I chose to use a CPF and fill bottles directly from the FermZilla. (I don't mind the extra complexity vs. using a beer gun.) I plan to brew malty lagers and ales at 15PSI, usually FG 1.010 (5%-8% ABV). I'd prefer not calculating CO2 volume differences (FermZilla post-ferment vs target bottle CO2 volume), so I thought a pressure xfer would be best.
Thoughts so far:
1. I plan to ferment at 15 PSI
2. Using CO2 calculator, I need 27 PSI at 65.
3. The FermZilla's rated to 35 PSI, so at post-ferment, I can either increase pressure to 27 PSI or pressure-xfer to a corny keg and then increase its PSI to 27.
4. Once my CO2 volume hits the desired level, I'll use the CPF and spend the whole day bottling.
5. Am I over-complicating things by considering a keg?
6. Is 1 method (FermZilla -> bottles vs. adding the keg in the middle) harder, more risky, more prone to excess foaming, etc.?
7. I'm assuming standard 5/16" beer line, but I'm inexperienced here. (Maybe it'd be better to use 1/4" because of the higher pressure? Or have I got this backwards?)
8. For beer line diameter and length, I expect to figure it out with a calculator, e.g. Determining Proper hose length for your Kegerator
Your thoughts, please?
PS I also had this idea: xfer to a 1gal mini keg, refrigerate that, then bottle from it.
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