How many of you guys aerate with an oxygen tank

Al-Kaholik

Bought a disposable oxygen tank (benzomatic) for aerating wort. They are surprisingly hard to come by but was able to find one a few towns over. Thoughts on using this vs shaking the fermenter?
Thanks

bracconiere

i'd think you'd need something like this as a regulator for it?
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Al-Kaholik

I have one similar to this guys'

bracconiere

i've never needed to oxygenate my wort, but a lot of people do it. but that looks like it's what i was thinking of, didn't know they sold them as a individual part....

Al-Kaholik

I got this one off amazon
Amazon.com: Joywayus Oxygen Injection System Home Brew Oxygenation Kit Diffusion Stone: Home & KitchenShop Joywayus at the Amazon Home Brewing & Wine Making store. Free Shipping on eligible items. Everyday low prices, save up to 50%.www.amazon.com
Just did my first brew session last week (it's fermenting now) and forgot to shake it or use this so that's good to hear that it still has a chance.

camonick

Dry or liquid yeast?

Calder

Over 30 years of brewing and I have not used O2 and have never had a problem where I thought O2 would help.
Not saying O2 doesn't do anything, but I have never had the need. I guess I just don't know what I am missing with not using O2.
I almost exclusively use liquid yeast, and 'shake' all my brews to get O2 into the wort. I've never made a Utopia, but have successfully pushed the abv to 14% a few times.

renstyle

I run a similar regulator, but with the diffusion stone on a wand. I get the Bernzomatic oxygen tanks from the local Ace hardware, about $13/ea.
Usually run one for 1-2mins for each batch, one tank has lasted at least 7 batches.
It's prolly overkill, but I like the peace of mind.

rmr9

I do the same, usually a minute for ales and 2 for the lager I just brewed. I had a hard time finding them too, Ace or a small locally owned hardware store is the best place to look.

hawkwing

An aquarium pump with a sanitary filter and diffuser is cheaper in the long run.

AlexKay

Tank of food-grade oxygen from the local Airgas. Not cheap, but will last forever.

Spivey24

I used them for a little while. I bought a wand and diffuser for it. But I went through too many too quickly - I think they all leaked a little. I would get like 2 or 3 batches then I would be out again. And they were hard to find sometimes. I switched to shaking or using an aquarium pump with filter and diffuser, depending on what I feel like.

AlexKay

Where do you get the empty tanks from? Airgas supplies them?

AlexKay

Yep. Had to pay for the cylinder. Presumably it will be cheap to refill, but I’m never going to need to refill it.

Red-over-White

Thanks. I need that. I bought one of those disposable ones and literally after one use the can was done. Maybe it was sitting or something but I’m not doing that again. Do you have a pic of your tank?

Neldog0

Sure. Sitting next to my keezer’s CO2 tank. Blichmann oxygen regulator.

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IDMaynard

I have been pitching the yeast and filling the headspace with pure oxygen. As the oxygen diffuses in, the yeast will mop it right up. The typical 60 seconds for ale and 90-120 seconds for lagers works fantastic with no extra gear to clean. With my all rounders it can result in a couple psi of pressure which is fine for ale yeast.

MicroMickey

Thanks! Oh yes, I need that

Willygilly

I have used both tanks and a dump & stir method. When using tank oxygen with a diffusion stone make sure you pull the stone off after each & boil it for 15 minutes & you’ll never run into a clogged diffuser. Sometimes if I run out of oxygen I go back to the old & successful method. I never had a problem using the old method. I haven’t found either method to work better. I believe that keeping things simple gives you consistent results.

MicroMickey

I used to use the little Benzomatic cylinders but switched over to a regular Oxygen cylinder, I run Spike Conicals, with a TC diffuser, makes the process a lot cleaner/smoother when fermenting.

Worf

Since I started using oxygen, I just won't go back.

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Oxygen Injection of WortOXYGEN INJECTION OF WORT &nbs…

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crescentcitybrewtalk.com

hotbeer

Oh no!! We're not going to talk about the oxygen boogie woogie again, are we? I just put my wort in a vessel with more head room than I should.  

Murph4231

I noticed a comment about "food grade" oxygen. Some cylinders are marked "medical oxygen" but that means that the cylinder is certified as having no contaminants. These cylinders come with a hefty price boost. The oxygen charged in them is the same as regular industrial oxygen as used in welding. Oxygen obtained from a welding supply house is perfectly fine.
Since going to oxygen, my ferments start quicker, proceed at a predictable rate, and finish consistently. I have the same basic set-up as AlexKay posted in his photo. Between the oxygen injection and usage of a stir plate, things are going well.

Jim-R

With the exception of the first couple years (of the twelve I've been brewing) when I gently stirred the wort as the yeast was tossed, I've never done anything to intentionally 'oxygenate' the wort. That is not counting allowing the syphon hose from the kettle to the fermenter to not submerge in that process.

hawkwing

Never aerated with pure O2. I did aerate my first four batches by shaking. I haven't aerated since and things seem no better or worse other than less fuss for me on brew day. I have always used dry yeast which the manufacturer claims aeration in unnecessary. If I used liquid yeast, then I'd probably aerate by some method.

Murph4231

I've been oxygenating with industrial oxygen for over 30 years. Nothing but good as a result. Never a stuck fermentation and the yeast get busy right away. As stated earlier medical grade and industrial grade are the exact same. Only difference is tank and cost. Of course because it says medical grade on those skinny little tanks, they are worth a lot more money, NOT.

bracconiere

The small disposable tanks work well and last several brews if you use them right. I just turn the regulator on to the minimal amount to get oxygen to flow and then remove them from the canister when not in use to prevent leaks. If you can find them, they are a cheap way to provide the yeast with a little better growing environment. I think my fermentations start and finish faster when I oxygenate but I am sure it is not mandatory. The aquarium pumps are worthless from the studies I have read which just pump in room air.

rmr9

My aquarium pump and diffuser works great and I don’t have to buy any consumables to use it. It works especially well if I leave it in the starter or the fermentation vessel until it’s going hard. I guess I could pay $100 to get the Regulator and use my oxyacetylene tank. But I probably won’t bother.

renstyle

If you have an acetylene and oxygen rig you don't need anything more than you have already. You have a diffuser and hose with your aquarium pump. Your oxygen regulater set to about 3 psi will provide all the oxygen you need. You may need a barb fitting to connect the hose to the regulator.
I have my acetylene and oxygen hoses fitted with quick connects and a quick connect on my dedicated oxygenation hose. Plus a hose with a oxy quick connect on one end and a corny type gas quick connect on the other end to supply my Spike conicals aeration fitting. Easy peezie. Just have to keep the oxygen tank around. I want a tall slender medical tank. I already have the necessary regulator. But it's crazy how the law prohibits you from possessing medical oxygen. You can pick up perfect used tanks cheaply, but you can't get them filled without a prescription and they controll the amount people who have prescriptions are allowed to get. No one will fill one without a prescription.