Help Needed to set up Corny Keg System

[rich1985]

Hi All,

My Friend and I are looking to move away from bottling to kegging our beer. Because we usually only make about 19 litres (and he wants to take some away in bottles), I was going to purchase two of these 12L Corny Kegs.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5...0001&campid=5338413729&icep_item=143102434174

My Question is, what other things do I need to purchase? I did look to see a thread on the how to section but unless I'm blind, I couldn't find one. Also where is the best place to get the additional equipment from. This is a bit of a vanity project, but would still like to do it right but not break the bank either. Any advice would and signposts to the best pace to purchase would be much appreciated!

Also where does everyone get there co2 canisters from? I'm based in North London. I read a lot of people use Hambleton but that is being discontinued.

Thanks in advance, we just brewed an Idaho 7 table beer yesterday so in an ideal world I'll be kegging it in 10 days if I can get my act together!

Thanks in advance

Richard

 

[stz]

Where do you intend to store and dispense your keg from? Space/practicality defines a lot of what you need. If it is to live in a fridge and be poured from inside the fridge then gas, regulator, tap etc need to suit. If it is going to live in a kreezer, be part of a bar setup, again, different requirements.

On the simplest level, like it lives in a garage you need a gas post, a beer post, something to provide dispense pressure, something to pour from and pipe and fittings to make good?

So a co2 bottle from where ever you can get one, dual gauge regulator with suitable scale (pressure reducing), plenty have a hose fitting so you push a bit of 3/8" pipe on and use a clip or replace it with john guest and threaded fittings, non-return valve isn't a terrible idea gets you to your gas post. Again, 3/8" with clip or more fittings off the beer post, straight reducing coupler to some 3/16" pipe, another straight reducing coupler back up to 3/8", party tap or similar?

I use stop taps on lines for peace of mind so I don't have to keep disconnecting posts when not in use for a while (messy) as well. Also depends on how many kegs you want 'on' at a time, also worth considering a system for cleaning lines and how easy they are to periodically renew.

 

[BarnBrian]

You can get a regulator from any of the on line home brewing suppliers, Malt Miller, BrewUk, HBC etc. The dual gauge referred to, one gauge is the HP side, showing the cylinder pressure, the second gauge shows the outlet LP pressure, this pressure can be adjusted to suit. Personally I'd go with John Guest as they're quick and easy to attach or remove hoses. I don't consider a non return to be necessary.
There are beer hose length/ size calculators on here or online elsewhere, I use 3/16 which is a bit slow to pour but I don't get any foaming.
Initially I used to turn off the CO2 when not in use. I don't bother any more, I've had it turned on for just over a year now and don't suffer any losses. I also leave the cornies connected. So far one cylinder has done close to 40 cornies and still not empty.
I'm sure others will advise you where to get CO2 from in your area.
Good luck, you won't regret the change.
Brian

 

[rich1985]

Where do you intend to store and dispense your keg from? Space/practicality defines a lot of what you need. If it is to live in a fridge and be poured from inside the fridge then gas, regulator, tap etc need to suit. If it is going to live in a kreezer, be part of a bar setup, again, different requirements.

On the simplest level, like it lives in a garage you need a gas post, a beer post, something to provide dispense pressure, something to pour from and pipe and fittings to make good?

So a co2 bottle from where ever you can get one, dual gauge regulator with suitable scale (pressure reducing), plenty have a hose fitting so you push a bit of 3/8" pipe on and use a clip or replace it with john guest and threaded fittings, non-return valve isn't a terrible idea gets you to your gas post. Again, 3/8" with clip or more fittings off the beer post, straight reducing coupler to some 3/16" pipe, another straight reducing coupler back up to 3/8", party tap or similar?

I use stop taps on lines for peace of mind so I don't have to keep disconnecting posts when not in use for a while (messy) as well. Also depends on how many kegs you want 'on' at a time, also worth considering a system for cleaning lines and how easy they are to periodically renew.

Thanks for your message! I have a standard undercounter fridge I was planning on using. I'm not going to turn it into a kegorator as it's kept in the spare room so I'll likely bring the beer down to the living room when I have people over.
Ideally I'd like to buy with the option of doing two kegs at once but if this makes a massive change to the price I might not go ahead.