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Old 12-29-2012, 10:59 PM   #1
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Default No kegerator, how do I keep it cold

I just got my keg and now that I read the directions, its better if it cold. My basement is currently 45 degrees. Should I put the keg in ice water to make it cooler (we got lots of snow right now) or should I just increase the preasure? If I increase the preasure it won't use the CO2 faster, right? It will still leave the same amount of CO2 in the brew, just at a higher preasure.
I plan on kegging to force carb my cider and bottle it for storage (per the sticky). If I want to keg a brew during the summer, it seems like I'm going to have to invest in something to cool it down?
Thanks,
Scott


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Old 12-29-2012, 11:17 PM   #2
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I have my utility room in basement at between 54 and 56, if I leave the window open a crack, heating vents closed and the utility room door closed.

So far (with my limited experience), I have been enjoying tasty, sufficiently carbonated beers. I am running one at around 12psi, the other at around 14psi, each with 15ft 3/16" beer line.

I just purchased a $50 12cu ft freezer from Craiglist. It works, and the controller (Johnson Controls) arrives next week. As I like my beers on the warmer side (50 to 55 'ish), It'll be fairly easy to accomplish.

Rather than the analog controller which is slightly cheaper, I purchased the digital controller, as I can fine tune it, should I want to ferment in my keezer.

Beveragefactory.com has the controllers. There are other types, and other suppliers.

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/conversion-kits/tower-kits/A19AAT-2C.shtml

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/keg-equipment/thermometers/A419ABG-3C___9161.shtml

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Old 12-30-2012, 12:06 PM   #3
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STC-1000 temp controller on e-bay search this site lot of them in use.
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Old 12-30-2012, 12:19 PM   #4
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You've probably seen this chart. It'll tell you what pressure to use at what temp.

http://www.kegerators.com/carbonation-table.php

And 45 sounds like a perfect serving temp to me. Cheers!
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