Homebrew - Kegged and refrigerated

[scblack]

I did the same up until their latest price hike. $168 a year I think it was. about 3 weeks ago I bought my own keg king 6Kg bottle for $219.00 full

I might look into something like that. Good to know.

[wilson79]

my set up is below, I used my existing beer fridge, purchased a start up kit off ebay, with regulator beer lines clamps and one beer tap for about 250 bucks, purchased 2 second hand kegs from my local brew shop for 70 bucks each, purchased my own 3kg gas bottle for 300 bucks and just get it refilled as needed. and scored a second tap off a mate who works in the beer industry.

the set up is five years old now, I run 2 different beers at a time. The fridge in the picture shat itself just before xmas and I am yet to drill holes in the new Second-hand fridge I purchased last month but will do it all on the weekend as I have a brew ready to come off next week which I will need to keg..

[Foo]

^^  ^^

Foo

[Troopy_03]

my set up is below, I used my existing beer fridge, purchased a start up kit off ebay, with regulator beer lines clamps and one beer tap for about 250 bucks, purchased 2 second hand kegs from my local brew shop for 70 bucks each, purchased my own 3kg gas bottle for 300 bucks and just get it refilled as needed. and scored a second tap off a mate who works in the beer industry.

the set up is five years old now, I run 2 different beers at a time. The fridge in the picture shat itself just before xmas and I am yet to drill holes in the new Second-hand fridge I purchased last month but will do it all on the weekend as I have a brew ready to come off next week which I will need to keg..

That's an expensive gas bottle 

[Foo]

I'm looking at this one. 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Australian-Standard-6KG-10L-Carbon-Dioxide-CO2-Gas-Bottle-Cylinder-FULL-/151943242688?hash=item236085e3c0

Foo

[richo9923]

How about a mobile beer set up? ride on esky with a trailer and temprite setup?

And yes before you ask, there are two ride on Eskies and YES WE DO RACE THEM.

[wilson79]

That's an expensive gas bottle 

Sure was, nearly shat myself when got the price, i could have rented the bottle but it would have cost more in the long run, i think some places now do a swap and go system which works better

[wilson79]

I'm looking at this one. 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Australian-Standard-6KG-10L-Carbon-Dioxide-CO2-Gas-Bottle-Cylinder-FULL-/151943242688?hash=item236085e3c0

Foo

They are definatly alot cheaper then when i started my system

[Niley]

Below is my set up

Got it up and running about a year a ago and Leary the hard way by buying a cheap keg fridge. If you want to drink nice cold beer do not be a tight ass on the purchase of your fridge and taps

If your gonna go with a kegerator choose your unit wisely. As a must make sure it gets to -4 deg particularly if you live in Qld.

I get my beer from Gold Coast Brewery at Nerang. Pop in an see Ian an he will help you sample a few beers that he has in cans. He also sells the kegerator fridges fully set up for about $1,100. For a quality kegerator new your not going to get em any cheaper unless you go used but the $$$ are still high as the quality units hold their value well.

GCB also do cans so you can get a 25 ltr keg and about 50 cans from a single brew. So now I get to take quality beer in cans camping or anywhere. Really good as no glass. Only issue is you have to keep your kegged and can beer cold all the time. If not it will go Shit with the yeast activating.

This beer is totally preservative free so no more hangovers

Cheers

Neil

[cancan]

With all this talk of beer I dusted the keg and acquired a nice IPA...


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[Slug]

I have a very basic set up a regular fridge, fits two corny kegs sitting in the bottom and the gas bottle on a hump at the back. A pluto gun for each keg, very simple, probably in the vicinity of $400.

I have had a recurring expense of filling gas bottles though.  I had a major leak and lost two bottles (6kg each!) in short time.  I discovered the gas line was a bit burred where i'd cut it and wasnt sealing in the john guest fitting very well.   Since neatening it up things have drastically improved but im still losing gas somewhere.  Ive tried soapy water on all joins but have still lost another bottle full of gas! Im considering going to barbed and clamped gas lines, does anyone have any thoughts?

Forgot to mention im also using some smaller kegs 6/9 litre away camping, have been superb in a little esky, although it was cooler weather, am yet to test it in summer.

[BrettMG]

I have a very basic set up a regular fridge, fits two corny kegs sitting in the bottom and the gas bottle on a hump at the back. A pluto gun for each keg, very simple, probably in the vicinity of $400.

Awesome work. Simple is best. Don't need to worry about line length just pour.

 I discovered the gas line was a bit burred where i'd cut it and wasnt sealing in the john guest fitting very well.   Since neatening it up things have drastically improved but im still losing gas somewhere.  Ive tried soapy water on all joins but have still lost another bottle full of gas! Im considering going to barbed and clamped gas lines, does anyone have any thoughts?

I had a leak - now I just carb up the keg and turn off the gas at the bottle. Turn the gas back on when you want to pour. Works well!

[Troopy_03]

I have a very basic set up a regular fridge, fits two corny kegs sitting in the bottom and the gas bottle on a hump at the back. A pluto gun for each keg, very simple, probably in the vicinity of $400.

Awesome work. Simple is best. Don't need to worry about line length just pour.

 I discovered the gas line was a bit burred where i'd cut it and wasnt sealing in the john guest fitting very well.   Since neatening it up things have drastically improved but im still losing gas somewhere.  Ive tried soapy water on all joins but have still lost another bottle full of gas! Im considering going to barbed and clamped gas lines, does anyone have any thoughts?

Yep, same here. I just open the reg every couple of days between sessions, and when pouring only connect it back up when the beer slows a tad. The beer carbonation stays good in between, while it is cold, and really, you don't want it too gassed anyway. Check out how much carbonation in a pub beer next time your there.

I had a leak - now I just carb up the keg and turn off the gas at the bottle. Turn the gas back on when you want to pour. Works well!

[wilson79]

I have a very basic set up a regular fridge, fits two corny kegs sitting in the bottom and the gas bottle on a hump at the back. A pluto gun for each keg, very simple, probably in the vicinity of $400.

I have had a recurring expense of filling gas bottles though.  I had a major leak and lost two bottles (6kg each!) in short time.  I discovered the gas line was a bit burred where i'd cut it and wasnt sealing in the john guest fitting very well.   Since neatening it up things have drastically improved but im still losing gas somewhere.  Ive tried soapy water on all joins but have still lost another bottle full of gas! Im considering going to barbed and clamped gas lines, does anyone have any thoughts?

Forgot to mention im also using some smaller kegs 6/9 litre away camping, have been superb in a little esky, although it was cooler weather, am yet to test it in summer.u

Have you tried the soapy water on the keg? I have had leaks in the past from a dodgy seal in the relief valve and have damaged the seal on the oval lid of the keg also

[scblack]

I have a very basic set up a regular fridge, fits two corny kegs sitting in the bottom and the gas bottle on a hump at the back. A pluto gun for each keg, very simple, probably in the vicinity of $400.

I have had a recurring expense of filling gas bottles though.  I had a major leak and lost two bottles (6kg each!) in short time.  I discovered the gas line was a bit burred where i'd cut it and wasnt sealing in the john guest fitting very well.   Since neatening it up things have drastically improved but im still losing gas somewhere.  Ive tried soapy water on all joins but have still lost another bottle full of gas! Im considering going to barbed and clamped gas lines, does anyone have any thoughts?

Forgot to mention im also using some smaller kegs 6/9 litre away camping, have been superb in a little esky, although it was cooler weather, am yet to test it in summer.

I don't keep my gas bottle hooked up at all. I quick carb the beer, and unhook gas. Drink a few beers, which drops the pressure, then I re-attach it, turn gas on to good pressure, leave it for 30seconds or so, and unhook gas. That lasts to pour 6-8 glasses at a time. And repeat.

It means an inconvenience every few drinks, but means I never get gas leaks, and don't have to cut holes in fridge.

[xcvator]

Ha, beer  that's for when you're thirsty, but when you want a DRINK ya gotta go...................................................................

[Slug]

Thanks all for the suggestions!  Thats essentially what i did over christmas as the gas bottle didnt fit in the fridge with all the other stuff.  Seems to work well.

[bigpaulie]

Since I have been kegging I have not looked back. The next bit of kit to get is the CO2 bulb quick charger with the trigger then you are mobile with your keg. Chill and gas your keg at home, place into a large plasterers bucket surround with ice, attach gun and gas charger. Into the back of the ute and off for the weekend, if it is going to be a rough drive I take home made cider as it travels better. 20 Litres of drink, no rubbish to take back.

[Troopy_03]

Since I have been kegging I have not looked back. The next bit of kit to get is the CO2 bulb quick charger with the trigger then you are mobile with your keg. Chill and gas your keg at home, place into a large plasterers bucket surround with ice, attach gun and gas charger. Into the back of the ute and off for the weekend, if it is going to be a rough drive I take home made cider as it travels better. 20 Litres of drink, no rubbish to take back.

Ha, I saw some vehicles leaving the Bay area (Port Stephens) that had obviously been camping for the holidays. On the back of one of the utes there was a full size keggerator that could have held at least 6 kegs, and had two or maybe 3 taps on the front of it. They would have had to have been staying at a caravan park, unless they had a genny as well.

[DarWen]

Lol, a forum for beer brewing. When I was a kid if you were different you got punched, today you just join a forum with other different people the same as yourself. Happy days.🍻🎉


Did you get punched much at school Paul?

[wilson79]

Since I have been kegging I have not looked back. The next bit of kit to get is the CO2 bulb quick charger with the trigger then you are mobile with your keg. Chill and gas your keg at home, place into a large plasterers bucket surround with ice, attach gun and gas charger. Into the back of the ute and off for the weekend, if it is going to be a rough drive I take home made cider as it travels better. 20 Litres of drink, no rubbish to take back.

I also have a 19ltr "squat"keg that fits into my 6oltr esky which I fill with Ice and use the CO2 bulbs to charge the keg for pouring pressure through a pluto gun,

Works great at BBQ etc, I also purchased a tall esky that fits 2 of my 10ltr kegs which I have taken on a couple of camping trips, But is is bloody heavy when full of beer and ice..

[PenUltimate Destinations]

My setup recently for a mate's 40th. Contents didn't last long. 2 x 19 litre kegs. Bought from ebay with everything for about $350.

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[nic0]

Here is my original setup complete with a fire extinguisher to gas the beer.



Over the last few months we have given the fridge a bit of TLC, on the weekend i installed a Perlick 650SS Flow Control tap so i can fill up growlers. I invested in a SpeedGas C02 cylinder as my local fire extinguisher place doesn't refill them anymore. My wife is happy now that she has her own tap.

[Slug]

i like the setup!  Was the fire extinguisher a cheaper option?

[nic0]

i like the setup!  Was the fire extinguisher a cheaper option?

Back when i started out none of the homebrew ships had Co2 cylinders and BOC was expensive (and still is) so i went with the fire extinguisher.