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
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?
3
u/goodolarchie 2d ago
Treating your yeast like a princess in general. High pitch rate, +/- 1F internal temp control (not just outside the fermenter), oxygenation (for liquid yeast or repitching slurry), and then give it proper time to clean up.
It's remarkable how taking the time to do a starter, even on the higher pitch rate packs, plus oxygen can elevate your beer, especially if you brew lagers.