Well folks, after much soul searching and penny pinching I've just started out on the next adventure in my brewing story - I've just gone out and purchased two kegs and all the paraphenalia to go with it.
I thought that I might keep you all up to date with the progress over the next few weeks, firstly so I can hopefully get help as and when I'll need it and also so that the next keg newbie can learn from my mistakes (oh God I think I'm gonna make some :blink:
The first and most difficult challenge is to convince ones 'significant other' that kegging is a good idea. I was presented with arguments that me having a kegging supply at home was like putting Dracula in charge of the blood Bank and a host of other objections.
I managed to clinch the deal though when I offered to buy a new fridge for the kitchen, complete with all the modcons, if I could use the old one for my kegs. OK, so far $1200 for a new fridge :angry: (we really needed it anyway, the old one, after 24 years was starting to rust out etc).
So, last Saturday down to see Craig Deacon at Keg Systems (extra helpful and I think a good deal after looking at other prices) and I got two kegs and all the bits and pieces to go with it. This includes two Taps and the S/S drip tray for the front of the fridge.
Yeterday I went down to BOC and got gassed up
and my wife did the rounds of the shops to find her dream fridge.
The new fridge gets delivered tomorrow so tonight we'll be clearing out the old one and moving it into the garage were it will spend the rest of it's useful life devoted to the pursuit of happiness (and free beer for my mates).
I've got a couple of brews on the go at the moment that are ready to be kegged, a partial mash Dark Ale hopped with Fuggles, and a kit Cerveza.
The plan is to wash and sanitise the kegs tonight, drill the holes and fit out the old fridge tomorrow night, drop one of the brews into one keg straight away and let it chill till the next night.
The following night (Thursday) I should be able to carbonate the keg and on Friday night hopefully burp, repressurise and DRINK.
Tight timetable but heck, somebody's got to do it.
If I get that right, or close to, then over the weekend I'll rearrange the hoses and get the second keg on-line as well.
No doubt there's going to be a few hiccups but what the heck. I'll keep you all posted on progress (or lack thereof) - might even get some pix of the whole operation as well and post a new gallery (OK Fiscus?).
Trev
I thought that I might keep you all up to date with the progress over the next few weeks, firstly so I can hopefully get help as and when I'll need it and also so that the next keg newbie can learn from my mistakes (oh God I think I'm gonna make some :blink:
The first and most difficult challenge is to convince ones 'significant other' that kegging is a good idea. I was presented with arguments that me having a kegging supply at home was like putting Dracula in charge of the blood Bank and a host of other objections.
I managed to clinch the deal though when I offered to buy a new fridge for the kitchen, complete with all the modcons, if I could use the old one for my kegs. OK, so far $1200 for a new fridge :angry: (we really needed it anyway, the old one, after 24 years was starting to rust out etc).
So, last Saturday down to see Craig Deacon at Keg Systems (extra helpful and I think a good deal after looking at other prices) and I got two kegs and all the bits and pieces to go with it. This includes two Taps and the S/S drip tray for the front of the fridge.
Yeterday I went down to BOC and got gassed up
and my wife did the rounds of the shops to find her dream fridge. The new fridge gets delivered tomorrow so tonight we'll be clearing out the old one and moving it into the garage were it will spend the rest of it's useful life devoted to the pursuit of happiness (and free beer for my mates).
I've got a couple of brews on the go at the moment that are ready to be kegged, a partial mash Dark Ale hopped with Fuggles, and a kit Cerveza.
The plan is to wash and sanitise the kegs tonight, drill the holes and fit out the old fridge tomorrow night, drop one of the brews into one keg straight away and let it chill till the next night.
The following night (Thursday) I should be able to carbonate the keg and on Friday night hopefully burp, repressurise and DRINK.
Tight timetable but heck, somebody's got to do it.
If I get that right, or close to, then over the weekend I'll rearrange the hoses and get the second keg on-line as well.
No doubt there's going to be a few hiccups but what the heck. I'll keep you all posted on progress (or lack thereof) - might even get some pix of the whole operation as well and post a new gallery (OK Fiscus?).
Trev
