[the_pig]

Hi everyone:

I'm considering upgrading from the "splash and stir" method of getting a little oxygen into my cooled wort before pitching yeast and I wondered what this group thought about the merits of oxygenation (i.e. pure oxygen from a tank) v.s. aeration (air pumped with an aquarium pump). 

My current, low tech method (splash and stir) is producing what I consider good beer.  But there's always room for improvement!

Clearly oxygenation would be quicker and provide more oxygen.  But it's going to cost more and require trips to a supplier (for refilled tanks of oxygen).  What are you folks doing?   

Thanks in advance!

[denny]

I can only offer anecdotal evidence, but it seems like my MixStir aerates my beers as well as my friends who use O2.  At least the results are pretty much comparable.

[the_pig]

By "MixStir" you mean the same thing as I do when I refer to "splash and stir," right?  I just ask because there are lot's of techniques and equipments that I haven't heard of...

[Kaiser]

I think mix stir gives more O2 than the slash and stir. Certainly depends on how much you splash and stir.

Kai

[denny]

A MixStir is a long rod with paddles on the end.  You attach it to a drill and put the paddle end in the wort.  when you run the drill, it spins around and aerates the wort.

[mihalybaci]

Neat, how long does it take to properly aerate the wort using a mixster?

[morticaixavier]

Neat, how long does it take to properly aerate the wort using a mixster?

5 minutes or so is how long I go with it. till there is lots of foam on top.

[tom]

Ditto, shaking the bejeebus out of it for 5 minutes is adequate.  I oxygenate in-line after the chiller on the way to the fermenter.  No shaking necessary.

YMMV

[newrocset]

I got an oxygen stone that feeds from a small tank from Lowes and Home Depot - the whole setup when you factor in the tank will cost you between $40 and $60.  It's pretty nice, but you need to be careful that you don't add too much O2.  To be truthful...once my last tank ran out, I have not used the O2 stone for about a year...but they are really convenient, esp. for big beers.

I think 30 seconds on a normal beer, and a minute on a big beer will give you the results you need without over-oxygenating.

[the_pig]

Hey, thanks folks!  I did not know the name "MixStir," but I'm definately familiar with those things.  (I've used them with paint.)  I'm going to pick up a clean one and give it a try.

[davidgzach]

Hey, thanks folks!  I did not know the name "MixStir," but I'm definately familiar with those things.  (I've used them with paint.)  I'm going to pick up a clean one and give it a try.

I think it's the way to go unless you are making big beers. 

Dave

[theDarkSide]

I've done both and I like the stone with pure O2 ( red tank from HD ).  Quick (30-45 seconds) and doesn't create a ton of foam like the mix-stir can. 

Thankfully I've started doing mead so having the mix-stir is handy for that and I don't feel like I wasted money by not using it from brewing anymore.

Edit:  I got the stone on a steel rod from Williams Brewing which is nice because I can place the stone where ever I want in the bottom of the carboy.