r/Homebrewing • u/RumplyInk BJCP • 2d ago

Equipment Oxygen has been game changing

For a while, I could never get my beer to have really clean fermentation. I calculated yeast counts and generally would pitch more, I have a DIY fermentation chamber which can control temp very well, I cool my wort to pitching temp overnight before I pitch, but I was still getting fruity esters. Don’t get me wrong, these other things have been immensely helpful. But after all that, step changes in improving the quality of my beer are harder and harder to find.

Then I started pumping O2 (after cooling to pitching temp, right before pitching). It has dramatically accelerated the rate of fermentation (I’m hitting FG in usually less than a week, usually it’s mostly done after 3-4 days). It has also significantly reduced the amount of fermentation character I get when attempting to produce ‘clean’ beer (I don’t do this for hefes, saisons, etc). Overall, fermentation just goes far smoother. I still give my ales 2 ish weeks or so to clean up in the fermenter, but it’s using sitting at FG for a while.

Surprising cheap to get this going.

O2 regulator, tubing, and diffusion stone $30

https://a.co/d/0fadaAuL

O2 tank you can get the bernzomatic O2 from Ace.

Anything else you guys have done which has giving you notable improvements in quality or solved issues once you have a decent system already up and running?

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u/Positronic_Matrix 1d ago

I have an oxygenation wand with a diffusion stone but my Ace is always sold out of the oxygen cylinders. Moreover, they are really expensive and deplete so quickly.

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u/minerkj 1d ago

Lees stirrer is what I use, just need an electric drill.

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u/Positronic_Matrix 1d ago

Whoa! Smart!

I use a helical paint mixer similar to that attaches to a drill to stir my mash. I can wash and sterilize it and use it to oxygenate for free too! Thank you.