Priming question - odd size bottles.

[silmaril]

I bought some glass homebrew bottles, but they're 670ml... so I assume that drops out carbonation drops as a solution. I have a sugar scoop, which has .33, .5 and .75 of a litre. Last time, I used two of the .33s but didn't get enough sugar, result was quite flat.

Any easy ways to approach priming 670ml bottles?

[Pale_Ale]

For consistent results nothing but bulk priming is good enough IMO.

170g dextrose is a good starting point. Do a search for more info re bulk priming.

Alternatively, you could still use carb drops. In my opinion carb drops make the beer way too fizzy and you'd probably go ok with one carb drop to a 670ml bottle providied it was stored correctly and given a month or so to carb up.

Bulk priming is way better though and you get to choose your level of carbonation.

[muddy]

bulk prime is the answer

[drsmurto]

I 3rd the call for bulk priming - it enables you to use a wide variety of bottles including 2L coke bottles! It also lets you play around with a variety of sugar sources - malt, honey etc. Once you bulk prime you will throw away that little scoop and never look back.

[silmaril]

I thought about bulk priming (I assume this means adding the total required priming sugar to the fermenter and stirring) but figure this could only work if I rack the beer first. Surely bulk priming in the primary fermenter would stir up way too much sediment from the bottom?

[drsmurto]

I thought about bulk priming (I assume this means adding the total required priming sugar to the fermenter and stirring) but figure this could only work if I rack the beer first. Surely bulk priming in the primary fermenter would stir up way too much sediment from the bottom?

Correct! You will need a 2nd barrel/bucket with a tap on the bottom and a hose to transfer/rack to it. If you added the sugar solution to the primary you would stir up the yeast way too much.

[Boonie]

I thought about bulk priming (I assume this means adding the total required priming sugar to the fermenter and stirring) but figure this could only work if I rack the beer first. Surely bulk priming in the primary fermenter would stir up way too much sediment from the bottom?

Correct! You will need a 2nd barrel/bucket with a tap on the bottom and a hose to transfer/rack to it. If you added the sugar solution to the primary you would stir up the yeast way too much.

I highly recommend bulk priming. It is much easier, faster and less messy.

I use 180-190g of dex for my bulk priming and it works out great.

160-170 for less bubble.

There have been many threads on here for a cheap barrel from Bunnings, which many use for bulk priming or racking their beer.

You will not look back.

Cheers

Boonie

[Longrasser]

Yup...using a 25 litre Bunnings(blue) barrel in every way the same as the Tooheys kit carboy with tap but cheaper.

Been using 190gm dex coz I likes me bubbles but its not over fizzy
Will try white sugar next brew just for comparison

[silmaril]

Ok, so if I bought a new barrel, I can transfer the finished primary into new barrel, add required priming sugar, stir and then immediately bottle?

[timmy]

You'd normally boil a small amount of water (just enough to dissolve sugar) and add this to your second bucket. Then, using a bit of food-grade hose, drain your beer into the new bucket. If you have your hose long enough (ooh err missus...) you can swirl the incoming beer and it will mix the sugar better. Then give it a quick stir and bottle.

[silmaril]

You'd normally boil a small amount of water (just enough to dissolve sugar) and add this to your second bucket. Then, using a bit of food-grade hose, drain your beer into the new bucket. If you have your hose long enough (ooh err missus...) you can swirl the incoming beer and it will mix the sugar better. Then give it a quick stir and bottle.

Awesome

Any particular sugars best for priming? Or just dextrose?

[rwh]

http://oz.craftbrewer.org/Library/Metho ... uide.shtml

[anthony]

I bought some glass homebrew bottles, but they're 670ml... so I assume that drops out carbonation drops as a solution. I have a sugar scoop, which has .33, .5 and .75 of a litre. Last time, I used two of the .33s but didn't get enough sugar, result was quite flat.

Any easy ways to approach priming 670ml bottles?

I reckon if your a fan of carbonation drops just use the same (2 drops) as you would in a 740ml coopers PET, after all 670ml is not even quite 10% smaller. I am using 1 drop in 330ml stubbies.

I have avoided bulk priming because I am concerned about possible oxidation and contamination - although I will try it only so I can use malt or wort. If your still going to use sugar in a bulk prime is it worth all the sanitisation?

[rwh]

If your still going to use sugar in a bulk prime is it worth all the sanitisation?

I think so, yes. Each to their own I say.

[drsmurto]

oxidation - be gentle, dont splash, create a nice whirlpool effect which mixes the sugar solution in very well.

Contamination? From what exactly?

Anthony/silmaril - have a read of a few of the stickies on this site - bulk priming is dead easy, works a treat, gives a very even carbonation. Allows you to use varying size bottles. Its ALL GOOD! Trust me mate, try it once and you will never go back!

Cheers and beers
DrSmurto

[Pale_Ale]

I reckon if your a fan of carbonation drops just use the same (2 drops) as you would in a 740ml coopers PET, after all 670ml is not even quite 10% smaller. I am using 1 drop in 330ml stubbies.

I have avoided bulk priming because I am concerned about possible oxidation and contamination - although I will try it only so I can use malt or wort. If your still going to use sugar in a bulk prime is it worth all the sanitisation?

IMO carb drops overcarbonate and are inconsistent. I would use 1 in 670ml, as long as you give it time it will be fine.

Also, regardless of what fermentable you use to carbontate with, it is very much worth bulk priming. I have never heard of anyone ruining their beer through oxidation at bulk priming stage.

And you will never have the flexibility to carbonate to the style without bulk priming. For instance, VB may be ok with beach ball bubbles throughout, but a nice smooth stout needs to be significantly less carbed. Bulk priming gives you more control.

The effort is no more than putting in carb drops really.

[anthony]

I stand corrected

Just paranoid about harming my brew with a step which I have avoided so far. I have found the carb drops super easy but slightly inconsistent... and not quite sure how they will go in my stout which I am just bottling.

I agree that it is desirable to carbonate to style, just that for me personally that if I am going to sanitise my secondary etc that I would largely be doing it to take advantage of other priming options.

[silmaril]

Bulk priming gives you more control.

The effort is no more than putting in carb drops really.

I'm liking the idea, as it will take the fuss out of these 670ml bottles, and also a collection of grolsch swingtop bottles I have.

[morgs]

QUOTE I reckon if your a fan of carbonation drops just use the same (2 drops) as you would in a 740ml coopers PET, after all 670ml is not even quite 10% smaller. I am using 1 drop in 330ml stubbies.

I have avoided bulk priming because I am concerned about possible oxidation and contamination - although I will try it only so I can use malt or wort. If your still going to use sugar in a bulk prime is it worth all the sanitisation?[/quote]

Totally agree, though you forgot the extra cleaning and sanitising. Drop a couple of drops in and fillem up i say. I usually only put one drop in a grolsch though.

[Mr_Booze]

Surely bulk priming in the primary fermenter would stir up way too much sediment from the bottom?

I'm not up to racking yet, though the more I read on here, the more likely it is that I will eventually go that way. So I will probably get slated for this, but...

When I initially mix up the brew in the barrel, I try and get it to 22 and a half litres. Then, when it is bottling time, I dissove 190 grams of sugar into 500ml of boiling water and add it to the Primary (23 litres in total). I stir very gently and leave for half an hour before bottling.

I have only been brewing since Novemeber, but have had no problems so far....