Kegging System Setup

[thunderchild]

OK Group,

My lovely wife suggested to me the other night that I should have a keg system for my brewing since she doesn't want to have so many bottles lying around. She has also heard some stories of bottle bombs which is supporting her theory that I have kegs.

Now, who am I to try and set her straight..............Those things can be dangerous <_<

So I will be paying a visit to craftbrewer to talk to the lads (You guys should really set up a facility where my pay is direct debited straight to you, it would cut out the middle man) about my setup.

MayI ask the group for any tips, tricks, things a newbie kegger should know for getting the set-up right first time?

Thanks in advance,

TC

 

[quantocks]

Includes:

2 x Used 18lt kegs fitted with new seals throughout.
1 x Easy pour beer tap
1 x 2mt beer line
1 x 2mt gas line
4 x line clips
1 x liquid disconnect plastic
1 x gas disconnect plastic
1 x Micromatic regulator
Instructions

These used kegs have new poppet valves, new tank plug orings, new dip tube orings and a new tank lid oring. The pressure relief valve is checked and replaced with new where necessary then pressure tested for 24hrs


$344.00
inc GST within Australia


Kegsonline.com.au have good specials going, not too bad. Not affiliated, etc etc.

 

[cdbrown]

What space have you to work with?
How many beers do you want available to pour at one time?
What's your budget?

This will help decide what type of keg fridge you get and the amount of kegs you put in it. If you can plan for expansion then do it. My freezer can hold 8 kegs with a collar, I got 8 kegs thinking I'd only around 6 at a time but now think due to carbing at pouring pressure, having those extra's will help. Do you just want a fridge with taps poking through the door? Chest freezer and taps on the collar, or fonts with multiple taps. So many different options to consider. Types of connections to use - barbed with clips or push in John Guest fittings.

Number of kegs
Replacement seal kits
Beer line
Gas line
Beer disconnects
Gas disconnects
Gas bottle
Gas regulator with check valve
Beer taps or fonts
Something to put it in
Something to put in the kegs

 

[thunderchild]

What space have you to work with?
How many beers do you want available to pour at one time?
What's your budget?

This will help decide what type of keg fridge you get and the amount of kegs you put in it. If you can plan for expansion then do it. My freezer can hold 8 kegs with a collar, I got 8 kegs thinking I'd only around 6 at a time but now think due to carbing at pouring pressure, having those extra's will help. Do you just want a fridge with taps poking through the door? Chest freezer and taps on the collar, or fonts with multiple taps. So many different options to consider. Types of connections to use - barbed with clips or push in John Guest fittings.

Number of kegs
Replacement seal kits
Beer line
Gas line
Beer disconnects
Gas disconnects
Gas bottle
Gas regulator with check valve
Beer taps or fonts
Something to put it in
Something to put in the kegs

I'm going to run one med size fridge and two taps - That will do me.

TC

 

[Fents]

give a man an inch.....

two taps? hey she suggested it why not just bang on a six tap font and be done with things.

 

[Offline]

Just remember that if you are running 2 taps its better to have 3 or 4 kegs and a fridge that will fit them all.
Other wise you end up with 2 nearly empty kegs but you cant start another brew until at least one is empty, then you could run out completely while your waiting for a brew to ferment/condition.
Next thing you know your buying commercial beer or just going with out all together

 

[thunderchild]

Just remember that if you are running 2 taps it's better to have 3 or 4 kegs and a fridge that will fit them all.
Other wise you end up with 2 nearly empty kegs but you can't start another brew until at least one is empty, then you could run out completely while your waiting for a brew to ferment/condition.
Next thing you know your buying commercial beer or just going with out all together

Very fine line between a kegging leave pass and having it revoked on financial grounds :icon_chickcheers:

Having the additional keg available is a good idea though. :chug:

 

[Offline]

it's fine to start with 2 kegs, that's the way I started, but just make sure your fridge will fit 3 or 4 in case of future requirements

I know have

8x19L
2x9L
6x4L

And can only fit 4x19L and 4x4L in my fridge at once, some times i will condition a keg or 2 in my fermentation fridge if Im brewing for a party or something.

 

[raven19]

I would certainly recommend using the plastic quick disconnects.

A few $ extra, but your are talking about a lifetime investment!

I have a fridge that is able to fit 4 kegs, with 2 taps (only have 2 kegs and 1 tap at the moment though)

 

[Ross]

TC,

We also have $40 kegs for pick up only, these are ones that hold pressure perfectly but may have a loose rubber or something, so we hold back from online sales. Look forward to showing you through the options when you come up.

cheers Ross

 

[thunderchild]

TC,

We also have $40 kegs for pick up only, these are ones that hold pressure perfectly but may have a loose rubber or something, so we hold back from online sales. Look forward to showing you through the options when you come up.

cheers Ross

Brace yoursef Ross, You, Me & My Wallet will be meeting sometime next week I suspect.

 

[clean brewer]

Hey thunderchild,

The missus wont regret letting you get kegs.. As some have stated, get quality products from the start otherwise you will end up spending more if you dont..

This is what I got, all the necessities:

4 x 19ltr Kegs and Seals
1 x 2 way divider (to split gas between 2 kegs)
3 x quick disconnect MFL (gas) (2 for kegs, one for force carbing)
1 x Non Return Valve (protects beer back-flowing into Regulator)
1 x quick disconnect barb (beer) (to attach bronco/picnic tap)
1 x bronco faucet & hose
3 x female adaptors JG (to easily connect hoses, worth the extra $)
4 metres Valpar Flexmaster 11 Beer/Gas Line
3 x stepless clamps
1 x tube paraliq lubricating grease(important for seals)
450gr PBW cleaner
500ml Starsan Sanitiser
1 x regulator
Gas Bottle hired from BOC (for now) ($80 for full bottle of gas and 3 months hire)

Total Cost $580

I highly recommend the Bronco Tap, easy to use and no worries about pressure, line length etc. If the budget doesnt stretch these are great, ive got a Celli Tap also but have no need at the moment to hook it up..
4 kegs are the minimum I would recommend, 2 drinking, 2 ready to go, its amazing how quick you can drain a keg, I will only just have 4 full in 2 weeks.. Need a good rotation happening, 2 kegs drinking-2kegs ready to go - 2 fermenters fermenting(to fill the 2 empty kegs straight up) etc

Cheers

 

[SJW]

Celli's Celli's Celli's :wub: :wub: :wub:

 

[Maple]

....
1 x Non Return Valve (protects beer back-flowing into Regulator)
....

One of the more important pieces to make sure you include...will save you in the short medium and long term... just my 2c

 

[unterberg]

I have a fridge that is able to fit 4 kegs, with 2 taps (only have 2 kegs and 1 tap at the moment though)

Same here - fridge with 2 taps and 3x19l kegs and 1x9l keg, but already finding it difficult to keep up with supplies...
might need to get another keg or two

but drip tray is my next purchase for the fridgefront
you might want to include that for your calculations because it is really annoying if you dont have one

 

[Offline]

Hey thunderchild,

The missus wont regret letting you get kegs..
...
Cheers

Just go in your local case swap once or twice a year, it will remind you and your missus just how annoying those bottles really were.

 

[clean brewer]

you might want to include that for your calculations because it is really annoying if you dont have one

Dont need a drip tray with a bronco tap..

Ill probably get another Celli in a little while but its only me drinking so its not really necessary at the moment, ive got a 1 tap drip tray to go with the Celli ive got now, was only $15.. They are the small ones on Ebay for $34..

 

[wyatt_girth]

Celli's Celli's Celli's :wub: :wub: :wub:

Indeed. My first, and only tap is a celli. Too easy no stuffin about balancing. Just hook her up, a quick touch of the flow regulater and away you go.

 

[wakkatoo]

One of the more important pieces to make sure you include...will save you in the short medium and long term... just my 2c

This only comes into play if you fill the keg to above the gas dip tube, which is not ideal. Keep the gas dip tube outta the beer and there won't be any probs. I agree they are a good idea, just not as essential as say a keg

 

[vicelore]

+ 1 For the Non return valve.. lol as per my Beer in my reg post.

A big thing would be ready to spend allot.. it defently hasnt been a cheap thing for me.

So Far iv spent on my little project.

Chest Fridge $360
2 Kegs $160
Lines $10
QD $40
1st set of barbs $25
Replacement JG barbs $20
Bronco Tap $ 8
Gas bottle hire for a year $130
Gas for the bottle $40
Reg $ 140
Seal kit because i got beer in it.. $35
Non return Valve $ 8

And i still need
Font $150 - $......heaps
4 Taps - $400 - ($800 (Celies))
Fridge mate $80
Extras wood paint etc $ 150

So im up around the 2k mark with a cheap Font and good taps.. and im sure there will be more expense.

Cheers Vice