Fermenting in Corny kegs

[Dr Jacoby]

I saw this video on youtube and it got me thinking about the possibility of fermenting in cornies.

The basic idea runs like this:

Fermentation
Brew a normal 5 gallon batch of wort but instead of fermenting it in buckets or carboys, split it between two cornies and use gas disconnects hooked up to some tubing in water (or whatever) to act as a blowoff tubes. (You need to use two cornies or you could end up with krausen in the corny outlets).

Taking Hydrometer Samples
Then take about 5 feet of 3/16 tubing and fit a liquid barbed disconnect to one end and a liquid flared (i.e. threaded) disconnect to the other (threaded disconnects can be unscrewed - this is important - see below). Lightly pressurize the keg and then connect the barbed end to whichever corny you want to take a sample from and unscrew the disconnect off the threaded barb on the other end. This allows material to flow through the tubing. The first stuff that will come out will be the yeast so dump this in a glass. When the yeast is gone switch the end of the tube to a hydrometer sample jar until you have enough beer for a sample. 

Pumping the beer to a serving Corny
Once fermentation is over, flush the oxygen out of the serving corny by a) filling it with Co2, b) flushing this out and then c) re-filling with Co2. Take the piece of 5 feet tubing and make sure both liquid disconnects are securely attached. Connect one disconnect to the liquid out port of the fermenting corny and the other disconnect to the liquid out port of the serving corny. Then use gas to push the beer from one corny to the other, without exposing it to any oxygen.

You'll have beer that is fully fermented, largely yeast free, and with no exposure to oxygen. The video makes all this a lot clearer but I reckon it's a great way to mimic the processes in a brewery using standard homebrew gear. The only unusual bit of equipment is the flared (i.e. threaded) liquid disconnect. But these are widely available in the states.

What do you think of this method? Are there better alternatives in terms of ease of use and value for money? 

Ps. Have you ever seen a better beer belly than the guy in the video!

[Ciderhead]

Ps. Have you ever seen a better beer belly than the guy in the video!

cause and effect, gives me something to go for

I've seen this a few times since I am a lazy barsteward my nightmare in cleaning order is
Bucket
Carboy
Keg

I know what you are saying about oxygen into beer but the crap in the keg must be a shocker 

[Dr Jacoby]

Yea, but I'd say some oxy cleaner would take care of the crud inside. I've never had a problem cleaning cornies. Carboys are more hassle I'd say.

[Ciderhead]

Yea, but I'd say some oxy cleaner would take care of the crud inside. I've never had a problem cleaning cornies. Carboys are more hassle I'd say.

I'm dropping my kegs around to you. 

My Carboys get a slosh with the hose then inverted with VWP half way and clean as a whistle.
Kegs, its strip the posts soak, ditto dip tube, clean with dip tube cleaner brush, strip the rubbers, its a pain for me

I have to say i have a keg and carboy cleaner on an electric drill for the real crud
http://www.carboycleaner.com/

[Dr Jacoby]

I'm dropping my kegs around to you. 

I'll make them a good home 

I normally put a few litres of oxy cleaner in my kegs, lay them on their side and turn every few minutes, then I push the cleaner up through the dip tube and rinse afterwards (pushing water through the dip tube as well). I've never had any hassle but then again I haven't had to deal with really stubborn crud.

Every now and then I do take the kegs apart for a more thorough cleaning, but I haven't had the need to do this each time.

I suppose one downside to fermenting in cornies is that you'll end up using more gas (using the method I outlined above). Whether that's a big deal though probably depends on how convenient it is to refill your bottle.

Interesting use of kegs though.