Oxygeination equipment

[kc10boom]

I'm still new to this, but wondering if most home brewers use oxygenation kits to make sure the yeast has a good start when the wort is first put in the carboy? I've seen various kits at morebeer.com, some that use tanks and others that don't..just wondering on the general consensus of the stuff. I bought John Palmer's How To Brew book from Amazon, it was sold out at Morebeer but it looks like it has got good info from the beginner to the expert brewer.

[Techie101]

How to Brew is an amazing resource for anyone. You made a good choice in buying that. The oxygenation system is debatable. I have one, don't use it much. Mainly because my tank ran out and I've not taken the time to go get a new one. But they are useful if you want to make sure you are getting enough O2 to the yeast.

[Mylo]

The oxygenation system is debatable.

Nothing is debatable about the yeast needing O2 for a healthy fermentation. The way you get it in there might be. I personally use a stone and a red tank from Home Depot. Many have success with sterile filters and aquarium pumps. In the least - you could do is the "rock and roll" method. I bought my O2 regulator and stone at my LHBS for $40. I think it's well worth it.


Mylo

[Techie101]

Nothing is debatable about the yeast needing O2 for a healthy fermentation.
Mylo

Yes, thank you for pointing that out. Basically whatever method you use is better than nothing. An O2 system is a quick means to an end. If you don't want to spend the money on one you can get the same results with a little more work. Like the rock 'n roll method mentioned.

[Charlie]

The oxygenation system is debatable.

Nothing is debatable about the yeast needing O2 for a healthy fermentation.

Definitely! You can get away with not aerating if you're doing a partial boil and splashing it into aerated cold water in the fermenter, but if you're doing a full boil some sort of aeration is absolutely necessary. If you want the little buggers to get off to a good start give 'em some air.

Charlie

[BadRock]

I use medical oxygen that I found on Criagslist on the cheap. But I also use an aquarium pump for my starters. I think if I was looking to invest in a system the aquarium pump is the cheapest and easiest was to get O2 in your wort.

[Charlie]

I use medical oxygen that I found on Criagslist on the cheap. But I also use an aquarium pump for my starters. I think if I was looking to invest in a system the aquarium pump is the cheapest and easiest was to get O2 in your wort.

I can go you one better than that, and I wish I couldn't.

Back in November I made my first beer in 15 years. At 9:00 PM on a Sunday I have a cream ale in the primary and realize I forgot to get the dang aquarium pump.

Bicycle pump. Air mattress inflation barb. Barb to 1/4 inch Tygon. Tygon to HEPA filter. Filter to 1/4 inch OD plastic hose and air stone, and pump like mad. Fortunately I had remembered to get the filter, air line and stone. Otherwise I'd have been up that crick.

Charlie

[kc10boom]

I use medical oxygen that I found on Criagslist on the cheap. But I also use an aquarium pump for my starters. I think if I was looking to invest in a system the aquarium pump is the cheapest and easiest was to get O2 in your wort.

Is there some kind of filter you put on the end of the hose, or do those aquarium pumps have built-in filters?