Oxygenation setup

[atomicpunk]

Whats the whole advantages to using this expensive metal wand and metal stone? I bought some tubing and fish tank diffusion stones from wal-mart and they worked great last weekend. Just used a fish tank pump too instead of the expensive O2 tanks. Enlighten me to the pros of the expensive wands

The wand just makes it easier to keep the stone at the bottom of the carboy.

What you are doing is fine, just be sure not to reuse the fish tank stone. They are probably impossible to sanitize. Also make sure you have an air filter inline with your pump.

[hopshead]

An email to morebeer about the availability of this product was a little discouraging. They are sourcing a new supplier and don't have an estimated date for this being in stock. After some shopping, I found a similar one for sale at the grape and granary supply shop.

[SirBC]

i like the wand better than my tube and stone because it is easier to heat sanitize and the rigidity makes it a little easier to work with. i heat sanitize my fermenter (a 1/2bbl sanke keg) with steam and i just throw the whole wand in there at the same time to sanitize both.

Beltbuckle, I see from a previous post that you use a flowmeter. That flowmeter looks like it has 1/8" female NPT connectors:




How are you connecting the tubing from the regulator to the flowmeter (and the flowmeter to the wand/stone)?

[Fritz Eye]

i like the wand better than my tube and stone because it is easier to heat sanitize and the rigidity makes it a little easier to work with. i heat sanitize my fermenter (a 1/2bbl sanke keg) with steam and i just throw the whole wand in there at the same time to sanitize both.

+1, the wand is great, I boil it in water for 10 minutes, soak in Star San until ready to use. I hook up straight to the regulator with no filter. So far so good for the last 30 batches or so.

[Michael Kelly]

Those disposable oxygen bottles are expensive, $8-$12 and there's only 1.5 oz of oxygen in each. I found out that is no difference between medical grade oxygen and welding grade oxygen filled from the same source. Medical bottles get tested after filling and paper work is envolved. I bought a new 20 cf. welding bottle on line from a Co. in NJ for $65 and a low flow medical regulator for a 540 type valve for $35. It cost $15 for the bottle fill and last for ever. The regulator has a press. gauge so you can tell the level and a knob to control the flow in LPM.

[brewinhard]

The oxygen bottles at my Local Home Depot store are only 7 dollars. Last time I went I even saw them on sale for 2.50!!! WTF? So I bought a few for the future. One bottle will last for at least 8 brews for me though using a diffusion stone.

[beltbuckle]

i like the wand better than my tube and stone because it is easier to heat sanitize and the rigidity makes it a little easier to work with. i heat sanitize my fermenter (a 1/2bbl sanke keg) with steam and i just throw the whole wand in there at the same time to sanitize both.

Beltbuckle, I see from a previous post that you use a flowmeter. That flowmeter looks like it has 1/8" female NPT connectors:




How are you connecting the tubing from the regulator to the flowmeter (and the flowmeter to the wand/stone)?

I got some 1/8" male NPT x 1/8" barbed fittings from Mcmaster-Carr. They adapt this flow meter to tubing of your choice. I got mine with a 90 degree bend since the lower output of the flow meter needs to go down into the beer.

[SirBC]

Yeah, I ended up calling Dakota and they told me the same thing. I ordered these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FMW8H6

I didn't realize the bottom port was the "out". Good to know.