Help Me Convince My Husband that NEED corny kegs

[Deadhead]

Well. I asked Santa for corny kegs, but sadly I was naughty this past year, as they didn't get delivered under my tree.
I have been bottling and using pressure barrels since I started brewing. I definitely love syphoning beer straight into the PB and not bottling, but I am sick and fed up with leaks and really foamy beer.
Still, that's not enough of an argument, apparently, to splash out on cornies. (I know Homebrew Company has some at a good price).
So, I have tried the force carb argument. "Hey we can drink beer sooner, and not have to wait long". "Yeah, but you'll spend more money on CO2."
So cleaning, a bit easier on cornies?
Any one have any other arguments that can help?
Thanks!

 

[Graz]

Can't help really but I've been trying to justify the expense to myself for a very long time. Always something more important needing money spent on it though. Hopefully now my missus is earning a few quid it might make things easier. I know once I do make the jump I'll be wondering why I took so long. I bought a big fridge of eBay probably getting on for a year ago now, it's still useful as I can put pressure barrels in it but I'd really like to convert it into a kegerator.

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi @Deadhead
Try telling him that you're giving up home brewing.
How many pints can he buy with £60 (cost of your first CO2 bottle)?
The real advantage, to me, was not worrying about sediment.
Force carbing, even burst carbing, still requires some time for the beer to mature.
I bought reconditioned Cornies, and the price was roughly equivalent to King Kegs, and no problems with leaks and loss of pressure.

 

[Ghillie]

CO2 lasts for ages. I picked up two 6kg fire extinguishers and can't see me needing to source gas for the next couple of years at least. If you're lucky, your work might end up needing to replace some extinguishers...

So even if you have to buy your gas, it will last you ages.

Pros:
Crystal clear sediment free beer. Assuming your got the rest of the brewing process sound too, of course.

Quicker than bottling, by about 2 hours which is a boost.

Quicker turnaround (carbonation), although not by much if you're after the clarity.

Cons:
Requires a dedicated kegerator/keezer which ultimately takes up space. This isn't ideal for anyone really.

Initial setup cost can be expensive. Even on the cheap you're looking at over £150 for a two corny setup.

If you have the space it's absolutely worth doing, I have a fairly ghetto kegerator in the garage built from a £25 second hand fridge freezer. Does the job and I'm happy enough.

 

[MyQul]

Tell him it'll be just like have a pub in you house. If your any good at DIY show him some sexy piccies of kegerators/keezer an tell hime thats what your going to make(and of course tell him you can get second hand fridges/freezers from places like gumtree/craiglist/ebay for pennies)

 

[AdeDunn]

Find out something that your husband really wants, use it as leverage. You get your kegs, he gets whatever he wants, you both profit. Marriage is a partnership after all, it's about give and take. Sometimes to get something, you have to give something.

Works for my wife and me anyway. She gets supplies for her crochet and paracord, I get brewing stuff, she drinks the beer....

aunsure....

 

[MyQul]

Works for my wife and me anyway. She gets supplies for her crochet and paracord, I get brewing stuff, she drinks the beer....

aunsure....

And you get some nice crochets house booties/slippers?

Tell her to crochet a mashtun warmer

 

[Mavroz]

CO2 lasts for ages. I picked up two 6kg fire extinguishers and can't see me needing to source gas for the next couple of years at least. If you're lucky, your work might end up needing to replace some extinguishers...

So even if you have to buy your gas, it will last you ages.

Pros:
Crystal clear sediment free beer. Assuming your got the rest of the brewing process sound too, of course.

Quicker than bottling, by about 2 hours which is a boost.

Quicker turnaround (carbonation), although not by much if you're after the clarity.

Cons:
Requires a dedicated kegerator/keezer which ultimately takes up space. This isn't ideal for anyone really.

Initial setup cost can be expensive. Even on the cheap you're looking at over £150 for a two corny setup.

If you have the space it's absolutely worth doing, I have a fairly ghetto kegerator in the garage built from a £25 second hand fridge freezer. Does the job and I'm happy enough.

Can you really use old fire extinguishers for carbing beer? I thought it had to be food grade co2.

I ask as I have 6 or 10kg co2 fire extinguisher in the garage which was from work, when it reached the end of its life. There may be a couple more in the grave yard (junk store), I know of another retired one which is used to put the fear of God up anyone unsuspecting in there with a quick burst when they aren't expecting it..... The issue is the white cloud that is expelled stinks..... Distinctively stinks, possibly a tobacco smell.
This is why I ask.

 

[Drunkula]

When you look at how much your time's worth it really makes sense. If you had to do bottling beer as a job how many hours would you do for £150. I don't think I'd make half an hour before getting the sack for being in one of me rages.

Also if you're friendly with the local pub see if they can get you a bottle of gas for just the price of the co2.

 

[skulltat280]

Can you really use old fire extinguishers for carbing beer? I thought it had to be food grade co2.

I ask as I have 6 or 10kg co2 fire extinguisher in the garage which was from work, when it reached the end of its life. There may be a couple more in the grave yard (junk store), I know of another retired one which is used to put the fear of God up anyone unsuspecting in there with a quick burst when they aren't expecting it..... The issue is the white cloud that is expelled stinks..... Distinctively stinks, possibly a tobacco smell.
This is why I ask.

Im sure it must be an empty extinguisher, filled with co2, unless there is a pure co2 extinguisher available?

I haven't started bottling yet but I already want cornies lol

 

[Ghillie]

Can you really use old fire extinguishers for carbing beer? I thought it had to be food grade co2.

I ask as I have 6 or 10kg co2 fire extinguisher in the garage which was from work, when it reached the end of its life. There may be a couple more in the grave yard (junk store), I know of another retired one which is used to put the fear of God up anyone unsuspecting in there with a quick burst when they aren't expecting it..... The issue is the white cloud that is expelled stinks..... Distinctively stinks, possibly a tobacco smell.
This is why I ask.

Nothing wrong with it pal, the extinguishers I took were brand new and unused - just past the point of service. But, the extinguisher will draw liquid CO2, as the diptube goes right to the bottom, so it must be inverted for use with a regulator.

Food grade CO2 is a pile of ***** IMO. Gas is gas and will almost definitely come from the same source. The "food grade" prefix is likely down to nothing more than the handling/packaging sanitary standards on premises. i.e. there's a wash hand basin and blue roll on the wall...

I wouldn't be using any "half used" extinguisher or one that you don't know the history of. Whats more is that CO2 is completely odourless and definitely doesn't smell like tobacco.

 

[Ghillie]

Im sure it must be an empty extinguisher, filled with co2, unless there is a pure co2 extinguisher available?

No, it's a CO2 extinguisher. They're used for electrical and class B fires. You can assume 100% CO2 as that's the only medium listed on the canister. Of course, with the potential of a fraction of a percentage for impurities. The same is true with food grade CO2.

 

[The Baron]

A standard bottle of Co2 will last at the very least a year and probably 2 to a average user. The way I would go is that Cornies are a investment and will only go up in second hand value so once bought you can use and would have no problem recovering their cost 0f and more in the future so are a appreciating asset so in real terms it is only savings set to one side while you are using them.

 

[Mavroz]

Nothing wrong with it pal, the extinguishers I took were brand new and unused - just past the point of service. But, the extinguisher will draw liquid CO2, as the diptube goes right to the bottom, so it must be inverted for use with a regulator.

Food grade CO2 is a pile of ***** IMO. Gas is gas and will almost definitely come from the same source. The "food grade" prefix is likely down to nothing more than the handling/packaging sanitary standards on premises. i.e. there's a wash hand basin and blue roll on the wall...

I wouldn't be using any "half used" extinguisher or one that you don't know the history of. Whats more is that CO2 is completely odourless and definitely doesn't smell like tobacco.

Ok, thank you.
Yes the prank extinguisher is a very old one that is part used, it is a black cylinder, that is how old.

The newer ones that still have the pins in and are in the green area on the gauge are definitely unused, they were just replaced for being passed their "replace by" date about 6 months ago.

I have no cornies yet but may look at getting a couple in the future, I bottling/bottles and don't fancy plastic kegs.

I presume the cylinders are turned upside down, the horn removed and an appropriate connector and tubing connected to the horn thread, pressing the handle when necessary to keep the pressure stable.

Thanks.

 

[Ghillie]

Ok, thank you.
Yes the prank extinguisher is a very old one that is part used, it is a black cylinder, that is how old.

Wow!

The newer ones that still have the pins in and are in the green area on the gauge are definitely unused, they were just replaced for being passed their "replace by" date about 6 months ago.

Are you 100% sure they're CO2 extinguishers? I've never seen a CO2 extinguisher with a pressure gauge on it - so I'd bet the ones you're talking about aren't CO2, sadly...

I presume the cylinders are turned upside down, the horn removed and an appropriate connector and tubing connected to the horn thread, pressing the handle when necessary to keep the pressure stable.

Horn and length of flexible tubing removed from the extinguisher entirely. Regulator connects directly to the male thread on the CO2 cylinder. Ensure the regulator is closed (adjustment screw all the way anticlockwise) and squeeze the operating handles together and secure with cable ties or the like. This is left permanently open. From that point forward, all "on and off" of gas is done via the adjustment screw on your regulator. The operating levers remain permanently locked open.

 

[Ajhutch]

Dear Mr @Deadhead

Don’t you find it a pain when your wife bottles beer? It’s takes her AGES! And beer from the pressure barrel, it’s ok. But don’t you hate the way they leak? And oxidise? Surely you’d love clear, sparkling pub quality beer in half the time?

Buy her the kegs. And while you’re at it, tell ajhutch’s wife how brilliant they are and that she should let him have them too.

With kindest regards

The Homebrew Forum.

 

[xozzx]

Ive not read all the comments here (had a few too many DIPAs tonight) but I went to cornies about 6 months ago and now have 10 of them! No way I will go back to bottles... "bottling day" is now about 30 mins to keg, and I love having beers on tap in the kitchen!

My keezer build was fairly easy, a cheap old chest freezer, can of black spray paint, some building timber from B&Q and wood stain. Taps and all the fittings add up but I bought these over time.

 

[Mavroz]

Wow!

Are you 100% sure they're CO2 extinguishers? I've never seen a CO2 extinguisher with a pressure gauge on it - so I'd bet the ones you're talking about aren't CO2, sadly...

Horn and length of flexible tubing removed from the extinguisher entirely. Regulator connects directly to the male thread on the CO2 cylinder. Ensure the regulator is closed (adjustment screw all the way anticlockwise) and squeeze the operating handles together and secure with cable ties or the like. This is left permanently open. From that point forward, all "on and off" of gas is done via the adjustment screw on your regulator. The operating levers remain permanently locked open.

Thanks, I will stop hijacking the thread now. They are definitely co2 although I may be confused now about the gauge. We also have Foam, powder and water ones. Will take a look and a picture later.

 

[Cwrw666]

Any one have any other arguments that can help?

Try bandaging up your hand when he's out and tell him you've injured your hand and that he'll have to do the bottling for the foreseeable future. Cornies in no time...

 

[Alside101]

I just buy it then deal with a thick ear later. We have just bought a house and i want to put a keezer under the stairs and she wants to put stuff like hoovers and other lady like things in there so i will end up with a thick ear real soon