A General Warning on Purchasing Kegs - New or Used

First post by BIABrewer, 2 years ago

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Preface: This post claims copyright. You may though link to it or, instead, copy it in entirety, including this preface and the diagram. Partial copies are not permitted.

It is very important that you check and investigate the quality of kegs before purchasing.

Brand New doesn't mean they are Quality Kegs

More and more brand new kegs are being offered to the home brewer however, the quality of these kegs is often poor. These brand new kegs come in many shapes and forms; some even look...

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Thanks Pistol
great info
I do like the shorter kegs for my Keezer, I convert them to Ball lock. And I have found out about Cornelius fittings in my travels, I have had issues disconnecting generics.
somehow I wish that the sellers would get the message about cheap gods from China. I go out of my way not to buy the stuff because it never last.
Sorry guys but there is no quality control, just pump it out and let the retailer deal with the returns seems to be the policy they have.
Sorry for the...

MINI BIAB Kegerator Journey Thread

First post by LI Mike D, 1 year ago

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I'm taking the next step in Mini-BAIB with a DIY Kegerator.  My son returned from college and I immediately took possession of his unwanted magic chef mini refrigerator  2.6 cu ft.   I removed the door panel and replaced it with self adhesive 1/8 foil lined insulation and foil tape (mainly to clean up the edges).   I painted it black enamel to fit my apt living room decor.  
My keg is a 1.75 gal cannoball with the regulator and picnic tap.  The tower faucet arrives in a few more days for the...

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v2W0ouhDSpQ

Magic Chef 2.2 cu in mini fridge I repossessed from my son's dorm room.  2.5 gal Torpedo Keg  (I have 2 of them, plus a 1 gal Cannonball min keg for small batches and travel). 

5lb CO2 tank,   2.5 in Kedgo tower faucet tap.   2 computer fan in a project box to blow cold air into the tower.  

I had to remove the door shelves using a cutting disk on the drill and then used 1/8 self adhesive insulation and foil tape to clean it up.    Bent the cooling unit (ice tray) slowly to a...

Carbonation of Kegs - What do you do?

First post by Pat, 2 years ago

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We've had several threads over the years on carbonation. One thing those threads have shown is that there is a massive variance in recommendations and techniques*.

We've nailed tricky stuff like this before so we might as well do it again.

Can you please click on the link below that applies to you or that you have experience in, and then follow the instructions there to give us your numbers on what works or has not worked for you?

If you keg and force carbonate (fast or slow)

If you keg...

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If you naturally prime your kegs, please select and copy the Code below, paste it into the Quick Reply box and complete the details. An example follows the code.

Keg - Naturally Primed
Overview

Beer Style:
Original Gravity:
Final Gravity:
Desired Vols CO2:
Metric or US Measurements Supplied:

Yeast/s, Times and Temperatures

Main Yeast:
Type and Amount of Yeast Used when Priming (if any):
Wort Temp 72 hours before Priming:
Wort Temp at Priming:
Days Allowed for Carbonation:
Avg Temp...

Natural or Forced Carbonation?

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First post by jmbingham, 8 years ago

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just curious what is the more popular way to keg your brew
in the joy of homebrewing Charlie says to prime with a 1/3 cup of sugar and let rest for 4 to 5 days, do ya force carb with Co2, or do ya have another method, and bottliers why do ya bottle instead of kegging :?: I would comment on my prefered method but seeing how my keg system is still in the mail i dont really have one yet :D

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guess I'm always different. I have done both and prefer the force carb. I can taste a naturally carb'd beer and don't like it. Maybe I'm just really sensitive to something with sugar Carb'd beers.

For me, best force carbing is at serving pressure, takes a while though. I too am blessed with quite a few kegs so time isn't usually an issue. Force carbing at serving pressure can take upwards of 2 weeks to reach that perfect level and bubble size

Shelf cooler line balancing

First post by kmmacker, 3 years ago

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I've been using my Keezer happily, although I did take some time to balance my lines etc...!

I have just picked up a cheap shelf cooler (Maxi 210) and will set it it up in a little bar that can be wheeled into the garden for BBQ,s. It will consist of a countertop with cooler under on a shelf and barrel under that shelf...so all within 500mm of each other!

Question is..is there issues with line balancing or formulas related to how long the python line ( insulated beer line) needs to be for one...

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I'd be happy to stop over and help you with the testing process....

---Todd

Perlick tap gas leak?

First post by laserghost, 3 years ago

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Wondering if that's where my problem is ... I have a 2 tap tower kegerator with 5lb gas tank inside with a new tap rite dual regulator. Two ball lock kegs, 15 ft / tap of silver barrier line and Perlick 525.

Kegerator is at ~40 and regulator ~12.5. Kegs seem to be perfectly carbed once I clear the lines of semi-carbed beer. If it sits in the lines for a few days it loses some carb.

Can't source the leak, help!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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You should always pour off about 1/4 pint before pouring anyway. The beer goes stale overnight and needs to be purged. Mine will sort of burp or spurt when the fresh beer hits. I don't think what you are experiencing is anything abnormal or faulty in the system.

removing guages from regulator

First post by jrodie, 3 years ago

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I was trying to replace the high gauge on my regulator, I was unsuccessful and in doing so broke my low pressure gauge. So I now have new low pressure and high pressure gauges, but still cannot get the broken ones off the regulator. Any advice out there on a technique, or tool used to get those SOBs off?

Yes I know they are right threaded. ;)

Thanks!

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I reckon the reason why they are so hard to get off is that they almost certainly would have used liquid gas sealant. Use some of that as well for the new ones.

Just looking at time of your last post and you probably already have the new ones on :).

Keezer

First post by iijakii, 7 years ago

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Pretty much done with my keezer, I'm proud of 'er. My first time doing any woodworking or even manly and crafty stuff :p. Still need to decide on a drip-tray, and do some final tubing-management on the inside. I'll take more pictures later.

Racked over a doppelbock I've been lagering for 5 months, damn is it good. I drank an entire glass of it uncarbonated. Also put an IPA on gas. Can't wait until they're carbonated!

I have room inside for 5 kegs, or four and a carboy or some bottles. My...

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Ahh my files are too big...I will have to have a jiggle around and get this sorted.

Sorry won't get onto it today but will show completed keezer and my new brew bench ...new boiler etc!

Have a good day guys
K

re: Gas types

First post by DanIAm, 3 years ago

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Why straight co2 for homebrew? Why not barmixes, which include Nitrogen? Is this just habit, it's what we've always done? Or are there specific concerns?

From the BOC website

Co2 Food grade quality gas used in pressure beverage dispensing for bulk beer, cider
and post mix systems. Carbon Dioxide 99.9%

Multimix 30 Beverage gas typically used for dispensing bulk stout for Guinness.
Carbon Dioxide 30%, Nitrogen 70%

Cellamix 40 Beverage gas typically used to dispense draught beer. Carbon...

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I would follow the same thought process Dan.

From the same book previously mentioned it is written that Nitrogen has a low partial pressure, therefore, it is less likely to be dissolved in the beer (compared to C02). Read;

Bubble formation and size

Despite beer being supersaturated with carbon dioxide, bubbles will not form spontaneously unless nucleation occurs, promoted by a particle, fiber or scratch in the glass (Prins and Marle, 1999) or the dispense mode, be that tap (Carroll, 1979)...

First keg setup....

First post by slash, 3 years ago

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I've just got into kegging, I bought a 2nd hand keg setup and I'm sure the previous owner didn't know what he was doing and lied about a few minor things. all that aside I put down 3 quick LME brews to test the setup...and until my grains come....don't want to waste good beer.

but I'm running into some problems that I can't solve yet and would like some advice on where to go next

I have 1x co2 bottle with a micromatic regulator, this plugs into 2x kegs
2 of the kegs have hand taps, one a...

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I expect you know this but just in case, always pull the trigger/tap handle fully open when pouring, trying to ease the beer pout makes things worse.

Brewferm Mini Keg System

First post by balli1990, 4 years ago

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Hi Yall,

Its my first time using the Brewferm mini kegs and tap so thought I would share my experiences with them, there seems to be allot of conflicting views on the internet. People either love them or hate them.

So far so good. Easy to fill, simply fill them leaving a few cm to spare (bulk primed before hand) and insert rubber bung (super easy!!). I also bottled some beer so I could test conditioning along the way without tapping a mini keg.

Screw dip tube to tap, Push dip tube...

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The reads above are well-written and much appreciated mally and balli. Thanks for taking the time :peace:. I don't think we have these here in Ozland yet. There's something about this mini-stuff that keeps nagging me. I think it is in a good way though.

Thanks again :salute:.

SODA-STREAM C02 BOTTLE ADAPTOR

First post by shibolet, 7 years ago

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any have any experience with one of these?

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+2 on the thread tape. These adaptors leak without it. I went through a full cylinder before working out that it was leaking. Since ive been taping the thread on the cylinders ive had no issues

Real Ale

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First post by BrewBagMan, 5 years ago

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I went to the local brewshop yesterday simply to collect some grain and came away with my first keg complete with all the bits and bobs needed to serve up my own brews. I did have some explaining to do to the wife but sold her on the but there will be no more bottles lying around line.

My plans were to prime in the keg and use one of those nifty handheld CO2 dispensers to give my lightly carbonated ale a helping hand to reach the glass.

Then I remembered seeing some vids on making a Real Ale...

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Nice work Guinges, suppose the question is... when are you gonna put some ale in there? I tried pouring from my 'bag' last night and was disappointed with the nozzle/pressure within the bag as there wasn't much of a flow. I think the key is getting a fair amount of carbonation happening inside the bag. the guys who successfully use polypins mention that they have to vent off the pressure a couple of time before their beer is conditioned enough to serve.

CO2 regulator from Hong Kong?

First post by Tsar, 5 years ago

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Hi guys,

I'm starting to think of kegging my beer, and I'm looking for parts prices. Is this CO2 regulator usable?

I know it's not the best choice, but it's the cheaper to start with.

Thanks

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Tsar,
i had used a regulator designed for welding when i first started kegging. i didn't work very well and was very frustrating. i would not recommend cutting corners with this specific item.
have you tried onclick= window.open(this.href);return false; ?

Wise words there Shib,

I consider these sort of purchases as long term investments. I know that cost can be an issue if you are on a budget but paying more for a quality item that will definitely do the job as intended is always better in...

Kegerator upgrade

First post by Kingy, 6 years ago

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Previously moved from a fridge setup to a freezer and have brewed my first beers of the year. Finally get to sample the finest from kings brewery lol. Cheers! Gunna be a good Arvo sampling the nectar of the gods.

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I got mine here he didn't have them until I asked adn then he sourced them out of the States.

draft beer in my kitchen

First post by shibolet, 7 years ago

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I don't have time for a long write up, but my weekend project included installing 2 beer faucets over my kitchen counter.

i'll let the pictures do the talking:
onclick= window.open(this.href);return false; ... directlink

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Shibolet,

I occasionally fill a keg with some cleaning solution and run it through the lines. I leave it hooked up for a day and put a warning on the tap not to use it. I think that the tap-line cleaning solution in the line for a day cleans it well enough. I flush with some water (sometimes I let water stay in the line for a while also?) and hook up some beer! It seems to keep any off flavors out of the lines? Of course with my lack of taste buds what do I know?

My new project

First post by Aces high, 6 years ago

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I picked this freezer up on the weekend. Its about to become my new keggorator. Its 340L and I can fit 7 kegs in, plus with a gas bottle or some beer bottles on the compressor hump.

The only drawback is that it is angled from back to front which makes the carpentry job of making a collar just that little bit harder. Ive got most of the tools, but my carpentry skills are sometimes pretty dodgy.. I need to work out how the taps are going to fit etc

I spent a lot of time on the weekend staring...

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Great work Aces, that looks a treat :)

A Ramble on Finding/Preventing CO2 Leaks.

First post by PistolPatch, 6 years ago

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For those who have experienced a CO2 leak, one of the most amazing things is how easily a full gas bottle can disappear overnight with even a small leak. I'm now trying to find a tiny leak that has drained my gas bottle in a bit over a week.

So, I've just put on my second gas bottle, have a brew day on Saturday, and want to make sure I don't lose what I have left in the meantime. I have 41 connections in my gas lines and these just go to the disconnects :dunno:. I have 9 disconnects which can...

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Just a quick note on Starsan as a leak finder...

If you have John Guest type fittings, don't use StarSan to test for leaks as it corrodes them unfortunately :dunno:.

Stupid Sod

First post by lambert, 6 years ago

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So, got a fridge from the office and decided its perfect for conditioning beer, store my yeast & yeast slants and keep my leftover hops in. After cleaning it out I plugged it in and loaded it with 10L of lager and the other stuff. Temperature setting on 2 (1 being warm and 8 being cold). Opened the fridge yesterday to be confronted by a 10L bucket of beer frozen solid and some frozen yeast slants/wash yeast bottles.
I'm accepting the loss of the yeast as payment for my stupidity of not using...

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:idiot: :idiot: :headhit: Good point..seeding with a grain of dried yeast it is then :lol:

kegerator taps

First post by samuls35, 6 years ago

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hi been putting every thing together to build a kegerator from a chest freezer and wondering what taps people prefer or should stay away from Im looking to buy something thats not cheap and nasty aslo in stainless

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My perlicks were $88 each,included tap,4 1/8 ss shank,tail pc. and nut and 1 each gas and liquid discos.

co2 Tank

First post by zapzapper, 6 years ago

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Can you place the co2 tank inside the refrigerator that you have set up for your kegs or does it need to set out side of it or does it make any difference where you place it inside or out?

Thanks
Roger

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I use a fire extinguisher guy to fill it. He drops what he is doing for me. $5 for a 5lb refill! I called about a regular tank refill place and they said next day, maybe !

Dry hop in a corny keg??

First post by jakethesnake559, 7 years ago

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Hi all, I think I may have been misled by my LHBS and am in serious need of some help from people that actually know what they are doing....you guys!!
My APA had just finished fermenting and I was about to rack it with some nice Cascade hops.
Then I got to thinking if I could just transfer it to my corny keg and put the hopsock in with it.
According to my LHBS, this would be no problem at all, but then when went to carb it up and took the first pour, I had tiny hop particles in my beer. Tastes...

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New to the forum, but not to dry hopping in a keg. I use the dental floss method described by Thughes with a fine mesh nylon bag, but I also add a sure screen to make sure that my dip tube does not clog. These fit well over a dip tube on a keg and look like the bazooka tubes that some people use in mash tuns and boil kettles. Cheap and works for me. You could probably go even cheaper and use the stainless water supply hose as well.