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Author Topic: Frozen keg  (Read 1956 times)

Offline erockrph

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Frozen keg
« on: June 05, 2014, 08:02:29 pm »
Last night I switched my chest freezer from fermentation chamber to kegerator mode. I have a pilsner cold crashing before I move it to a keg for lagering, and a barleywine that is starting to carbonate at 10PSI. I set my temp controller to 38F.

When I went to check on it today, I saw that the temp controller was reading 66F. WTF? Then I noticed - I never stuck the probe back in the freezer. The temp controller was running full blast for about 18 hours. Everything in the freezer is frozen rock solid. I put the probe where it belongs, but it will probably take a while to thaw.

I'm not worried about the pilsner in the bucket, but the keg is under pressure. I'm thinking that 10 PSI shouldn't be a problem. Anyone ever do this? Do I need to worry about things blowing up?
Eric B.

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Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Frozen keg
« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2014, 10:08:07 pm »
It'll be fine. You might need to give it time to recarbonate.
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Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Frozen keg
« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2014, 10:14:16 pm »
Yup. Chill, no pun intended. The other day I saw someone post that they were crashing at 25º. I let it go, maybe a typo. If not it will be ok

Offline erockrph

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Re: Frozen keg
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2014, 10:51:15 pm »
Yup. Chill, no pun intended. The other day I saw someone post that they were crashing at 25º. I let it go, maybe a typo. If not it will be ok

That was me, and it wasn't a typo. But it was an over 15% ABV barleywine, so it was still liquid at 25F. At 8F it is no longer liquid.

Thanks for the reassurance.
Eric B.

Finally got around to starting a homebrewing blog: The Hop Whisperer

Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Frozen keg
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2014, 11:00:08 pm »
Awe, guess I missed the abv. Though that's getting down there in temp. Still, thawed, remixed, ought to be fine.

Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Frozen keg
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2014, 11:04:30 pm »
Should be fine...
I had a temp issue this past winter. Froze a 4% beer solid and turned a 6% Vienna into eisbock unintentionally. It turned out just fine.

Offline pete b

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Re: Frozen keg
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2014, 07:24:14 pm »
Yup. Chill, no pun intended. The other day I saw someone post that they were crashing at 25º. I let it go, maybe a typo. If not it will be ok
I disagree! I think the pun WAS intended! :)
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Offline dkfick

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Re: Frozen keg
« Reply #7 on: June 07, 2014, 07:38:40 pm »
My worry would be the opposite... I would be more concerned with the bucket as it would be likely to contain a decent amount of yeast which may burst when being froze releasing off flavors. 
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Offline erockrph

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Re: Frozen keg
« Reply #8 on: June 07, 2014, 08:39:40 pm »
My worry would be the opposite... I would be more concerned with the bucket as it would be likely to contain a decent amount of yeast which may burst when being froze releasing off flavors.

Good call. I think I'm going to rack that to a keg sooner rather than later.
Eric B.

Finally got around to starting a homebrewing blog: The Hop Whisperer

Offline euge

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Re: Frozen keg
« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2014, 10:56:27 pm »
That is a good call.
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

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Offline klickitat jim

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Re: Frozen keg
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2014, 02:42:48 pm »
Yup. Chill, no pun intended. The other day I saw someone post that they were crashing at 25º. I let it go, maybe a typo. If not it will be ok
I disagree! I think the pun WAS intended! :)

Caught me