Carbonation Drops

[Rowy]

As you can see I'm a new guy to brewing but I have read a heap on this site. I notice that some members on this site are pretty anti carbo drops. I have been using them. Only put down three brews so far but would be keen to know if there are problems. Obviously the fors are that they are easy. What are the againts?

 

[Spork]

They are not a very consistant size, giving you unequal carbonisation from one bottle to the next. Also cost more than good old fashioned sugar.

 

[DU99]

cost..sugar and dextrose are cheaper..with priming sugar you can hit any level of carbonation you want
you can make slight adjustments to the quantity of priming sugar, like adding less to a stout, for instance.
I tend to bulk prime if i make a batch of bottle beer..

 

[Rowy]

I had the first couple ofbeers from my first brew last night (4wks). I did notice that one of the bottles was not as carbonated and did not keep the head that the others did. I was pretty happy though and as I experiment a bit I hope to get better. At the moment I love it!

 

[jbowers]

Nothing wrong with them. If you enjoy the carbonation level they give you, then by all means keep using them.

Some people want more control over their carbonation level than they give you, so they bulk prime using more or less sugar to get the carb desired. I did that, but i'm back to carbonation drops due to their simplicity and the fact that I don't bottle much any more so priming a whole batch isnt really an option.

 

[Tanga]

Nothing wrong with them, per se, but they can be a bit hit and miss. If you use the 750mL bottles sugar cubes are more accurate (and cheaper). Everyone will tell you about bulk priming, and if you have a spare fermenter or bottling bucket that's all good. If not, don't stress. The Carn drops will be fine.

 

[Rowy]

This site is freekin great! Heaps of advice Fxxx all criticism. Thanks people.

 

[ShredMaster]

Also, with bulk priming you can use ANY size bottle and achieve the same carbonation but with the drops you are basically limited to 330/375ml or 750ml bottles.

my 2c.

Cheers,
Shred.

 

[Cloth Ears]

I use my kitchen scissors to cut 'em in half for the 640ml bottles. If I didn't use carb drops, I'd have to by real boiled lollies

 

[Matt Browne]

Is the ratio 2 sugar cubes per 750ml bottle?

 

[soundawake]

Correct.

 

[Feldon]

Correct.

Incorrect.

Just one sugar cube per brown Pet bottle.

 

[Cloth Ears]

Incorrect.

Just one sugar cube per brown Pet bottle.

2 carbonation drops or one sugar cube for each PET or 'standard locg neck' beer bottle.

I found some nice looking 640ml bottles down at the Oakleigh shop, so I use a little less.

 

[stux]

I always find the beer tastes like fairy floss if its been carbonated with carb drops

 

[redunderthebed]

I'm lazy anything that makes brewing easier and doesn't ruin the beer i'm all for i've made some top batches with carbo drops and i'll pay the extra $ for 'em.

 

[Spork]

I'm lazy anything that makes brewing easier and doesn't ruin the beer i'm all for i've made some top batches with carbo drops and i'll pay the extra $ for 'em.

I'm lazier.
Bulk prime FTW.
Although I'm so lazy I'll soon be kegging...

 

[hando]

I always find the beer tastes like fairy floss if its been carbonated with carb drops

Lol sounds like a good way to get the kids to help out in the brewery.

 

[redunderthebed]

Read up on bulk priming i'm going to try it it would make my brew day alot easier.

 

[shavey147]

Bulk priming for the flexibility factor of being able to adjust carb level to whatever style you're. Dewing. Also makes it a lot easier if you're using bottles other than 375 / 750ml

 

[Spiesy]

Chasing a bit of info on carbing bottled beer. I'm kegging at the moment, but would like to bottle the 1-2L that doesn't fit into my 19L keg - wasting beer is just a sin, right?

I've picked up some Grolsch 450ml bottles that should do the trick. Being that I'll probably only be filling 2-3 bottles post ferment, is there a basic rule for amount of sugar required per volume of beer to achieve a certain style? I like a bit of carbonation throughout my beer. They're mainly American Ale's that I'm producing, but unlike the American's - I prefer some bubbles in my glass (if it helps, I have my gas regulator set to around 13psi for my kegs).

Any advice would be appreciated.