which barrel?

[moley6]

Hi everyone,
I'd like your advice on which barrel to get.
I've managed to get lots of bottles (mainly by hanging around the local bottle bank!) but would like to get a barrel to make life easier (and to stop the local's thinking i've got some kind of glass fetish!).
I'm leaning toward the King Keg top tap but would like to know which type of gas to go for? Cost is a factor (when isn't it?) but i'm happy to pay a bit more for something that will prove a better buy in the long run. Also, can someone tell me why cornies are so popular and roughly how much they'd cost to initially set up (my head is spinning from cross referencing all the posts on this forum and the various on-line shops!)
Your experiences and advice would be much appreciated.
thanks in advance.

 

[Cussword]

If you're intending to do this long term cornies are the way to go. Look for Norm at the links at the top, he will provide you with everything you will need. Occasionally he will sell two for £60. When you think a King Keg can cost nearly £50, thats quite a bargain. As for the gas, the "Midget Widget" system is a very much cheaper alternative to start.
Also check Ebay for bargains.
Good luck, & you can always ask if you see a bargain that looks "too good to be true". :thumb:

 

[markp]

Cornies are so good because they are robust, impermeable to light and air, and you can force carbonate beer in them as they are rated to 120psi or so.

Kingkegs are okay, but you still need to purchase an s30 gas cylinder (or similar) in order to dispense any more than a couple of pints a session once you get through the initial carbonation generated by the primings. Not sure how much an s30 will cost these days....maybe £20 initially and refills on an exchange basis for maybe £7-8.

A single corny will cost you about £45 with the appropriate in and out quick-disconnects, a regulator about £30 and then you need a source of gas which will probably involve an initial outlay of £40-50 depending on where you are and who you can find. You will also need a tap, that could be anything from £10 - whatever you want to pay.

If you are thinking long term, then definately go for cornies IMO. You will only end up buying them anyway.
If you then fall out of love with the hobby, the cornies are much easier to get rid of second hand for decent money as well.

ATB

 

[Grumpy Hobbit]

Im in North Kent.

If you go the cornie route, the only place I know for gas is Adams gas in Margate. It's expensive for the first bottle (the website prices are wrong).

They will only supply a small CO2 bottle to home brewers. The prices have gone up and it's now a £60 deposit and £17 (I think) for a refill. You will have to visit them to open an account but after that they will deliver to your door. You just ring them and they deliver all over Kent twice a week.

Cornies and Gas is well worth the initial outlay as it saves money in the long term.

Beware I started with 1 and now have 6 (they don't like being alone). And they are so shiny :thumb: .

 

[moley6]

hi, thanks for the info.
i've contacted Norm and am waiting for a reply from Adams gas, so it looks like i'll be going down the cornie route!!
It seems that one is not enough, which is, financially, a bit worrying.
Oh well, at least the missus is away for a couple of days so it'll be a nice suprise for her return!!! (on that note, if you don't hear from me in the next week then can someone call the police as i'll have been murdered!!).

 

I use kegs mainly because I am fully set up for them.
I have recently installed a "pub" gas system and get my gas free!
Not being overly keen on fizzy beer the system suits me fine.

The "cornie" system is very popular, if I ever set up again, I think I would go that route!

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Hi everyone,
I've managed to get lots of bottles (mainly by hanging around the local bottle bank!) but would like to get a barrel to make life easier (and to stop the local's thinking i've got some kind of glass fetish!).

LoL, I felt the same