cooling a keg

[the new brew]

So i'm on my first batch of of home brew things seem to be going well SO FAR lol doing my second hygrometer meter reading thursday (my first being when first made up) so hopefully be kegging up soon, after the two weeks of letting it still sit, i want to cool it down as i know this will help with the co2 being absorbed by the brew i know it won't be loads but any little helps i did see a chart once about the absorption rate between water and co2 and the colder the water the more absorption takes place but now i cant find it just my luck, don't think i can get another fridge any time soon as not got the room yet, i'll be using a 5 gallon plastic keg only holding 15 psi not much i know, with a bottom tap, so i'm looking for shall we say different ways of cooling the keg down so any help would be grate thanks

 

[joe1002]

I understand a garage with a concrete floor works well. The concrete acts as a heat sink :thumb:

 

[graysalchemy]

Yes the concrete floor trick works a treat. :thumb:

 

[fbsf]

Or if you really want to cool it, a builder's bucket with water and ice blocks in it. Only downside to that is you really need to sanitise the builders bucket first as it's going to be in contact with the tap.

But that is a faff to keep the ice blocks cold. Are you sure you couldn't fit a tiny little 2nd hand fridge in *somewhere*? :lol:

 

[joe1002]

How to upload photos to the forum :thumb:

Edit: Where did the above post go saying they didn't know how to upload photos :wha:

 

[the new brew]

sorry took it off but thanks for the info here is the chart if its any help to you brewers

hope it will help someone out there

 

[BBandW]

I tried cooling the keg by securing 5 or 6 freezer blocks around its middle with one of those stretchy bungey ropes that are used to secure things to car roof racks. Then wrap the keg with something with thermal properties (eg old duvet / blanket). As cold air sinks, its more important that the bottom of the keg is well wrapped up than the top (the principle of the wine cooler bucket). It wont get your keg down to lager cold but it does take the warm edge of it if done a few hours before drinking.