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i want to make the jump

jonKranked

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Nov 10, 2005
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from bottling to kegging. currently run a 5 gallon setup. I have a mini fridge at home that I would want to convert to a keg-o-rator. Considering getting a basic keg kit from NorthernBrewer. some questions:

physically, how big is a 5 gallon keg? I want to make sure it will fit inside my mini fridge before I get any further? (no sense looking into it now if it won't fit).

i generally try to have 2 batches going at a time (none at the moment, last few months have been too hectic), what would I need to upgrade from a basic single keg kit to make it work for 2 kegs? how much larger of a CO2 tank would I need?
 

TN

Hey baby, want a hot dog?
Jul 9, 2002
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Jimtown, CO
Good thread here.

they make dual regulators for your co2 tank. they are pricey & there may be a cheaper way like a 1-2way manifold, maybe...but then both tanks will have to have the same psi.

i started drinking my first kegged batch this weekend. i love it already.
 

jonKranked

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jonKranked

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I'm in the same boat as jK. I recently traded a 12 pack of homebrew for a five gallon soda keg. Now I just need to buy all the other stuff.
if you already have a keg....

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/kegging/draft-systems/econo-fridge-conversion.html

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/kegging/draft-systems/deluxe-fridge-conversion.html


edit: i'm considering getting one of these, and then a keg. Is it worth just getting a used keg through them, or is it too much of a crap shoot in terms of quality?
 

TN

Hey baby, want a hot dog?
Jul 9, 2002
14,301
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Jimtown, CO
so you mean this:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/kegging/gas-hardware/gas-distributors/2-way-co2-distributor-w-1-4-barb-shutoff.html

vs this:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/kegging/gas-hardware/regulators/double-gas-regulator.html

The distributor does require both kegs run the same pressure (as opposed to the dual regulator - note, the dual regulator is cheaper than 2 individual regulators). Do different beer styles require pressure differences that drastic?
If you want to geek out yes...certain beers require different pressures but I was thinking the issue would be when you want to force carb one keg (using around 30 psi over 3-4 days) while dispensing the other (around 5-7psi).

With all of that being said I have only recently begun educating myself on all things home-kegging.

I already had a sanke tap setup for 1/4 & half barrels of commercial beer so all I needed was the keg & the gas & liquid line setups. Found the corny keg on CL for $20 locally so that saved some $$$ for me too.

I am gonna talk my dad into getting the kit from NB....he is really intrigued with kegging homebrew.
 

TN

Hey baby, want a hot dog?
Jul 9, 2002
14,301
1,353
Jimtown, CO
if you already have a keg....

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/kegging/draft-systems/econo-fridge-conversion.html

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/kegging/draft-systems/deluxe-fridge-conversion.html


edit: i'm considering getting one of these, and then a keg. Is it worth just getting a used keg through them, or is it too much of a crap shoot in terms of quality?
^those are both for sankey (commercial kegs).

I think the used kegs are a much better deal. who cares if it is beat up...it wi lbe in your fridge. You can replace the seals for $3.75 & all the parts (gas in, liquid out, poppet valves, etc..) can all be ordered for cheap on line. just my two cents.
 

jonKranked

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gotcha. I'm fine with paying the $$ from NB, that isn't really the issue. just wanna make sure everything will fit before I invest time/money.
 

jonKranked

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^those are both for sankey (commercial kegs).

I think the used kegs are a much better deal. who cares if it is beat up...it wi lbe in your fridge. You can replace the seals for $3.75 & all the parts (gas in, liquid out, poppet valves, etc..) can all be ordered for cheap on line. just my two cents.
are corny kegs not compatible with that?
 

TN

Hey baby, want a hot dog?
Jul 9, 2002
14,301
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Jimtown, CO
are corny kegs not compatible with that?
naw. corny kegs have two fittings, gas in & liquid out using either ball lock or pin lock connections (most I have seen are ball lock & I think they are preferred for some reason I cant remember)...sanke is one fitting...handling both air & beer.

If you have no keg components, I would get the kit.

Here is what connects to the keg...
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/kegging/soda-kegs-fittings/foam-free-tubing-kit-bl-ball-lock-version.html

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/kegging/soda-kegs-fittings/gas-connector-kit-bl-ball-lock-version.html

Wow....new kegs are $130. :eek: with that you could get a lot of barley & hops & an extra corny too....just sayin'.