Mini keg recommendations

[Redgrave_3]

Thinking of getting a mini keg to bring beer to parties, family gatherings, parent teacher evenings etc.

I can carb up in the main setup but assume I’ll need a mini reg and co2 bulbs for dispense.

Seems there are a few options so looking for any recommendations. You can get insulated 5l kegs which sounds good for keeping beer cool, but then a traditional 6.5l keg would be good for cleaning (big opening) and easy transfers.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Something like this

 

[Laner]

The Oxebar 4’s and 8’s are good, use mine with a party tap and mini reg

 

[Its 6pm somewhere]

4l oxebar kegs or just use standard 2l fizzy drinks bottles with a t piece for gas in and beer out

 

[Druss]

Something like this


View attachment 108647

Second this, I have five of them now and they're great, really easy to use and just the right size for taking to a friend's place/parties etc.

 

[obscure]

I have one of these might be a tad bigger than you are looking for but works really well and has the advantage of a large opening so easier to clean.

https://www.geterbrewed.com/corny-keg-6.5-litres/

Also not sure if they will get them in again but I also bought a two litre corny keg uses standard ball lock fittings and again much easier to clean than a mini keg.

https://brewkegtap.co.uk/products/2...vQIrnIuFL54MfP-TSvuB3w0jCJQpZ2vgcr4iAodvYwKRx

That said I’ve also used the two litre mini kegs you are looking at, if you do go for these I would say it’s worth going for a ball lock cap as it will allow for transferring under pressure direct from your larger keg (with a bit of tubing and a couple of ball lock disconnects.

https://brewkegtap.co.uk/products/m...Eqdosvsz_4QXg5RFb3xZioD9tLl5jPAwVoODaQs2OLuCO

 

[Its 6pm somewhere]

I've started looking at my brewing gear purchases in terms of equivalent weight of grain...some of those little 5l keg setups cost the same as 2 or more 25kg sacks of malt.

 

[Redgrave_3]

Second this, I have five of them now and they're great, really easy to use and just the right size for taking to a friend's place/parties etc.

Sounds pretty good, just to check are they the Vevor ones you have and are happy with? How do you find cleaning them with the small opening?

Dispense wise do you have flow control taps on them?

 

[Redgrave_3]

I have one of these might be a tad bigger than you are looking for but works really well and has the advantage of a large opening so easier to clean.

https://www.geterbrewed.com/corny-keg-6.5-litres/

Also not sure if they will get them in again but I also bought a two litre corny keg uses standard ball lock fittings and again much easier to clean than a mini keg.

https://brewkegtap.co.uk/products/2...vQIrnIuFL54MfP-TSvuB3w0jCJQpZ2vgcr4iAodvYwKRx

That said I’ve also used the two litre mini kegs you are looking at, if you do go for these I would say it’s worth going for a ball lock cap as it will allow for transferring under pressure direct from your larger keg (with a bit of tubing and a couple of ball lock disconnects.

https://brewkegtap.co.uk/products/m...Eqdosvsz_4QXg5RFb3xZioD9tLl5jPAwVoODaQs2OLuCO

Thanks for the link and info. I like the idea of the mini corny for consistency and familiarity but it would mean ordering the reg and tap separately. What do you use for dispense.

Good point re filling from a ball lock liquid post.

 

[Redgrave_3]

I've started looking at my brewing gear purchases in terms of equivalent weight of grain...some of those little 5l keg setups cost the same as 2 or more 25kg sacks of malt.

Fair point, they are spendy for the size. That said the thought of bottling is such a pita this would atleast allow me to share more beer.

 

[Druss]

Sounds pretty good, just to check are they the Vevor ones you have and are happy with? How do you find cleaning them with the small opening?

Dispense wise do you have flow control taps on them?

Yes, mine are all the Vevor ones.

Cleaning them has been really easy so far, I was worried about that at first but they fit in the kitchen sink so a quick blast from the tap tends to do the trick (I've checked the interior with a torch each time just to be 100% and it's been spotless every time). I usually fill them up with water after that and chuck a Milton tablet in until I'm ready to fill them again.

I don't have flow control taps, so far I've had good results by just tweaking the psi and venting slightly when it's too high.

 

[Redgrave_3]

Thanks for the oxebar rec’s. How do you find cleaning them? I like the price but I also like to be able to get stainless plenty hot.

 

[obscure]

Thanks for the link and info. I like the idea of the mini corny for consistency and familiarity but it would mean ordering the reg and tap separately. What do you use for dispense.

Good point re filling from a ball lock liquid post.

I use a mini regulator with a soda stream stream bottle on the larger one and 16g cartridges’s on the 2L keg (this is an expensive way of buying CO2 but if you just want something for dispensing at parties, family gatherings etc. you may find worth considering). Typically I find 16g of CO2 is enough to dispense about 3-4L of already carbonated beer.

Tap wise I use a basic flow control tap on a ball lock.

 

[Its 6pm somewhere]

Thanks for the oxebar rec’s. How do you find cleaning them? I like the price but I also like to be able to get stainless plenty hot.

I find cleaning them a breeze, you can't get your hand in but you can see what's going on inside which is a draw back with the stainless steel ones without the corny lid but on such small vessels it's easy to fill to the brim without using excessive amounts of your chosen brewery wash

 

[Laner]

Thanks for the oxebar rec’s. How do you find cleaning them? I like the price but I also like to be able to get stainless plenty hot.

Easy to clean. Astonish oxy powder, 3ltrs cold water and top up with hot water after from the tap. Let it soak for a couple of hours and rinse.

I then store it full of chemsan until I need it

 

[Vandalay]

Thinking of getting a mini keg to bring beer to parties, family gatherings, parent teacher evenings etc.

I can carb up in the main setup but assume I’ll need a mini reg and co2 bulbs for dispense.

Seems there are a few options so looking for any recommendations. You can get insulated 5l kegs which sounds good for keeping beer cool, but then a traditional 6.5l keg would be good for cleaning (big opening) and easy transfers.

I have 3.6, 4 and 10l minikegs and no complains.-
3.6 and 4l fit flat between the shelves of my fridge, the 5L ones have a slightly larger diameter and doesn´t fit.
I have the mini regulator and the 16gr bulbs but I don't use them. In house I prefer my regular tank and regulator and outside I use a bicycle pump with a non-return valve. If I go to a friend's or relative's house the 4L ones don't have time to oxidize with the pumped air.