Corny kegs...please help.

[Randalicous]

Hello.

I have done some searching on various forums. But I'm still a little unsure. Your help is required. I M thinking of setting up a corny setup. But I have a few concerns/questions.

Is it safe to keep the gas at home and will it invalidate insurance. I'm worried that keeping the co2 in the house cold result in mass damage if it went wrong.

I have seen a website, Adams gas, which seem to deliver the canister and do refills, are there other more common places to get this service. I live in Kent.

I have seen the kegs for sale on eBay and the like, what is a reasonable price to pay per keg.

Where should I get the regulators and what is the recommended regulator to get.

I have loads more ticking rond my mind but I guess these are my initial concerns.

Does the overall cost really make a difference to the quality of the pint poured.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Steve.

 

[kev]

Need to learn to look around fella.......

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1219

K

 

[BrewDan]

I have no idea how it would affect insurance, I guess you would need to look into your policy in detail.

With the price side of things, I got mine from norm, 2 kegs, all the disconnects, lines, regulator , gas and a tap. Off hand I cannot remember the exact price, but he was the cheapest I could find everything in one go, plus everyone suggested using him. Contact him through this forum and ask him for a current price list.

With regards to the quality of the drink, it's nice not to have to bottle 19 litres, it can go in the keg, you can carbonate it within half an hour if you really wanted to, or you can just leave it there to condition with the knowledge it's airtight, and completely in the dark.

I have found that the beer cider and stout I have stuck in a cornie have turned out quite nice, I have been able to carbonate it exactly how I like it, and they have ended up with a nice creamy head (apart from the cider)

Only downsides I can see are, the initial cost, the fact you will find it hard to keep track of the amount you are drinking, they breed, and also cooling can be a pain. Some like me have a spare fridge and leave the kegs in there, some others have invested in flash chillers.

All in all I am glad I have mine

 

[joe1002]

Definitely contact Norm, his contact details are in the links section. His kegs are all tested and I believe they come with the disconnects and some gas line which together probably cost around £20-25? He will advise you on that.

He is also on eBay under normannumpa if you want to look at his items. I'm not sure whether he does a different price for direct contact?

 

[crofty83]

£70 for a corny, disconnects, tubing and party tap from Norm ATM

 

[keith1664]

Safety - CO2 isn't flammable so that's good, the main concern is that the bottle gets knocked over shearing off the regulator and you have a sudden release of gas causing the bottle to shoot across the room. Hence it's recommended that the bottle is secured so it can't fall over.
Insurance - dunno.
Gas supplier - there are threads on here and Jims detailing local suppliers, it's a case of asking and searching. I'd suggest avoiding anyone who charges rental. I'm fortunate in having found a supplier (in Norfolk) with no rental, no deposit and £12 for a full bottle.... and they deliver!
Prices - vary. The going rate for one in good nick seems to be £50 and rising. Norm does slightly battered ones for less. They will however hold their value, if not appreciate.
Reg - twin dial, plenty on ebay. If you're planning on acquiring a few then a gas management board is a handy thing to have.

The big advantage to me is avoiding the hassle of bottling and predictable, repeatable carbonation. Yes it costs a few quid to get up and running but if you ever decide that you have to get rid then I'm sure that you'd get most of your money back.

 

[crofty83]

Norm has some gas management boards on eBay at the mo. £60 is the cheapest. You can get a single reg for about £30

If you should need any JG fittings then check out The Harmony Hut on eBay. He generally does everything you'll need for homebrew fittings and the service is excellent

 

[joe1002]

It's probably worth pointing out his £60 GMB's will reqire a regulator. His £90 GMB's have a regulator built in.

 

[Randalicous]

Thanks for your replies.

I have contacted norm and he quickly replied back. Now just need to make my mind up about jumping in.

Steve.

 

[kev]

Is there even a decision? Best thing I ever did was move to cornies.

K

 

[Randalicous]

All ordered and en route.....

Will see what happens.

:

Steve.