A method for the automated discharge of condensate from a pressurized gas system by means of a condensate drainage means, wherein the condensate drainage means comprises a collecting region for the condensate, a sensor for the detection of condensate in the collecting region, and a controllable discharge valve for discharging the condensate from the collecting region, the method comprising in a repeating time sequence: a collecting step (S1, S2, S3, S4) in which the condensate is collected over a predefined collecting duration; a detection step (D1, D2, D3, D4) that at least completes the collecting step (S1, S2, S3, S4) in order to detect condensate in the collecting region by means of the sensor; a discharge step (A1, A2, A4) in which condensate is discharged for a predefined discharge duration, provided condensate was detected in the collecting region in the detection step; characterized in that, for the case in which condensate is detected for the first time or at the latest repeatedly in the detection step (D1, D2, D3, D4), the collecting duration of at least one of the subsequent collecting steps, preferably of the next collecting step, is shortened and/or the discharge duration of at least one of the subsequent discharge steps, preferably of the next discharge step, is extended in time and/or a degree of opening of the discharge valve in at least one of the subsequent discharge steps, preferably of the next discharge step, is increased, and that, for the case in which no condensate is detected for the first time or repeatedly in the collecting region, the collecting duration of at least one of the subsequent collecting steps, preferably of the next collecting step, is extended and/or the discharge duration of at least one of the subsequent discharge steps, preferably of the next discharge step, is shortened in time and/or a degree of opening of the discharge valve in at least one of the subsequent discharge steps, preferably of the next discharge step, is reduced. a collecting step (S1, S2, S3, S4) in which the condensate is collected over a predefined collecting duration; a detection step (D1, D2, D3, D4) that at least completes the collecting step (S1, S2, S3, S4) in order to detect condensate in the collecting region by means of the sensor; a discharge step (A1, A2, A4) in which condensate is discharged for a predefined discharge duration, provided condensate was detected in the collecting region in the detection step; characterized in that, for the case in which condensate is detected for the first time or at the latest repeatedly in the detection step (D1, D2, D3, D4), the collecting duration of at least one of the subsequent collecting steps, preferably of the next collecting step, is shortened and/or the discharge duration of at least one of the subsequent discharge steps, preferably of the next discharge step, is extended in time and/or a degree of opening of the discharge valve in at least one of the subsequent discharge steps, preferably of the next discharge step, is increased, and that, for the case in which no condensate is detected for the first time or repeatedly in the collecting region, the collecting duration of at least one of the subsequent collecting steps, preferably of the next collecting step, is extended and/or the discharge duration of at least one of the subsequent discharge steps, preferably of the next discharge step, is shortened in time and/or a degree of opening of the discharge valve in at least one of the subsequent discharge steps, preferably of the next discharge step, is reduced.