Kegging less than vol

[bucknut]

Hey guys, didn't see a topic for kegging so I hope this is in the right place. I was going to keg a 1gal batch I did in a 2.5 gal keg and I was wondering if it would work ok. I know that there will be more head space, so oxidation may be an issue, also may have to use more Co2 than normal to carb it, or should I naturally carb it with sugar instead?

[Beer-lord]

If enough people want a separate kegging and/or bottling section, maybe Louie will add one. In the meantime, this is as good a place as any to post it.

Shouldn't be a problem but if decide to naturally carb, I would still try to purge the keg with C02 (if you have the equipment) and leave a layer of C02 on it to help reduce any oxidation. Naturally carbing may take a few weeks and there is a chance of oxidation with the head space.

[Gymrat]

Shoot it with about 5 pounds pressure CO2, relieve that pressure and shoot it again. Oxidation won't be an issue.

[bucknut]

Ok thanks, yea I'll make sure to vent the head space real good. Think I'll just go with the set and forget method since it seemed to work well with the first keg I did.

[Gymrat]

Set and forget took my kegs 2 weeks to be ready. Now that I have 2 on tap and two in the wings I do natural carbing so as soon as my new keg is chilled it is ready for the glass. I have found that natural carbing seems to improve the mouth feel. It tastes more carbonated to me.

[bucknut]

Just wanted to give you guys an update and ask a question. I purged and filled the keg with this 1gal batch and put in the fridge on about 12 psi for about 10 days, when I first tasted it it tasted oddly sweeter than when I kegged it, carbonation was good. Since then it's gotten sweeter and a little bit of a cider bite to it, it's also lost almost all of it's carbonation. I purged the head space about three times after I kegged it, maybe should have done it 4 times?

I'm going to have to dump it, did this get some oxidation??

[Gymrat]

Oxidation will cause cardboard or cherry like flavors. That doesn't sound like what you are getting. And your beer should not lose carbonation as long as it has pressure on it. In fact you can actually re carbonate flat beer by putting pressure on it.

[bucknut]

Oxidation will cause cardboard or cherry like flavors. That doesn't sound like what you are getting. And your beer should not lose carbonation as long as it has pressure on it. In fact you can actually re carbonate flat beer by putting pressure on it.

Yea, I must have missed something in the cleaning/sanitizing maybe. Good thing though it was only 1gal, will even a little less since I've already a couple glasses.
Thanks