Stout Setup

**SuckaMooHudda** · 09-02-2011, 01:59 PM

Looking to add a Stout Faucet, tower, nito tank, etc...

I already checked with the local welding shop and they do provide nitro/co2 mix tanks.

Anyone know where I can get the very best deal on this system? Thank you!!

erikpete18 · 09-02-2011, 11:45 PM

I'm curious to see what you can find, since I've been looking around randomly for a little bit now planning future expansions. Plenty of places seem to carry the regulators, but I've got no experience on which are of any better quality. So far the cheapest regulators I've been able to find are at Kegconnection ($45 & $60), Rebel Brewer ($54) and ChiCompany ($40). Northern Brewer, Austin, Morebeer, etc. all carry regulators too which might be of higher quality, but I can't tell just by looking. Kegconnection also has a fairly cheap 5lb nitro tank ($80) and ApexBrew has one for $70 but they caution that not all places might fill it up.

As far as faucets, your guess is as good as mine. I've been able to find a bunch, but I'm still trying to figure out the best way to go. For instance, ChiCompany appears to have the largest variety of stout faucets (I count 8). Of those, I see a variety of all-chrome ($66), chrome/stainless ($92), all-brass ($77), brass/stainless ($92), and all-stainless ($137). Now I'm not sure what the chrome/stainless actually implies as to what the beer actually touches along the path, does it contact stainless the whole time or chrome for part? Adventures in homebrewing also lists a "SS Stout Faucet" for $70, but it looks a lot like the ones listed at Morebeer and Rebel Brewer that list them as the chrome/stainless version or the Kegconnection one that doesn't list the metal (but I bet they'd tell you with a call).

Maybe by the time you figure everything out, I'll be able to start and can just use your list

.

**SuckaMooHudda** · 09-03-2011, 02:43 PM

Thanks so much for the reply. I am still researching and I will keep you posted as I gather more information.

**SuckaMooHudda** · 09-06-2011, 10:51 AM

So far I have purchased the all stainless steel stout faucet from Adventures in Hombrewing and the nitrogen regulator from Keg Connection. I am still waiting on gas information as my local "go to" welding supply shop will only fill larger tanks (65 CF) for some strange reason. I live in the Chicago area so I am sure a 5# or 10# (20CF) beer gas fill-up will not be too hard to locate.

The above with an added tank is significantly cheaper than the whole systems offered by Morebeer.com or Midwest Brewing Supply, plus, my faucet is all stainless. Morebeer's and Midwest's is not. I am taking all measures to remove brass from my entire setup.

**beergolf** · 09-06-2011, 05:53 PM

I am interested in nitro also.

I have been bottling everything but after a trip to Ireland I became very interested in keegging some brews using nitro.

I did find this but it is not cheap but is the complete set up.

http://http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/kegging/draft-systems/deluxe-nitro-keg-system.html

erikpete18 · 09-06-2011, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuckaMooHudda

So far I have purchased the all stainless steel stout faucet from Adventures in Hombrewing and the nitrogen regulator from Keg Connection. I am still waiting on gas information as my local "go to" welding supply shop will only fill larger tanks (65 CF) for some strange reason. I live in the Chicago area so I am sure a 5# or 10# (20CF) beer gas fill-up will not be too hard to locate.

The above with an added tank is significantly cheaper than the whole systems offered by Morebeer.com or Midwest Brewing Supply, plus, my faucet is all stainless. Morebeer's and Midwest's is not. I am taking all measures to remove brass from my entire setup.

Were you able to confirm that the one from AiH was actually all-stainless? It looked a lot like some of the stainless/chrome ones, but if its actually all-stainless I may have to get 2

. If you've already got it in and have a part number for it, I'd appreciate it!

**SuckaMooHudda** · 09-07-2011, 10:07 AM

They advised it was all stainless...however I will inspect it upon arrival and post the info here. Hopefully I am not disappointed. I would imagine they would be truthful considering the power of forums like this spreading the word of untruths.

sniperd · 09-12-2011, 03:10 AM

I have that nitro setup from northern brewer. It was my first keg setup and 100% comes with everything you need, I'm on my third keg of beer in it. That being said the shank of 3" is too short in my opinion. The only other thing I would note is the regulator doesn't have a shutoff or pressure relief little flipper, not a really big deal but stuff I would expect for a high end all in one system.

So, here is what I did. I have a full size fridge. I bought this system and installed it (had to Macgyver the shank to get it to fit, they really need to give a 4"). Going forward I swapped to a dual regulator and use the one they supply for a 'utility' C02 tank. I figured since they gave me a nitro reg I can just buy an adapter and run C02.

I really like the lines they give too, they seems must better then what my LHBS has.

The main thing was that I didn't want to have parts that I could no longer use after I continue to upgrade and improve my system. It's like don't buy a 42" TV with the plan to move up to a 50" TV later. I think it's a great 'intro' to kegging, but if you already have and know how to run C02 you can probably just buy the parts you need. I knew out of the box that I wanted to just run various English/Scottish beers so I just jumped right in.

Ok, parts aside, how to carbonate it. Here is what works for me (after a few tries). Setup the system as per instructions with the diffusion stone. So chill the filled keg overnight. Then put the pressure to 5psi. Burp it a whole bunch to get the oxygen out. You'll hear the keg fizzing from the diffusion stone putting gas into the beer. Turn the pressure up to about 15psi and you'll hear more fizzy action and just let it do it's thing. Come back in about 1 hour and go up by 2-3 psi and let it fizzy itself, wait 20 minutes or so. And keep doing that until you get up to about 35 psi. I tried what they told me in the directions to just crank it to 35psi but it didn't carbonate it well, I think the trick is to slowly move it up a few psi over a few hours to 35. Now just leave it overnight (or you can try it, but I find it comes out better if you wait a day). Now the next day you should be good to go, drink up! Enjoy the cascade!

**SuckaMooHudda** · 09-13-2011, 06:59 AM

Thank you for the input. That will help. I have been kegging with CO2 for a few years now but was unsure on how to approach the Nitro. I will go with your suggestions. My system will be complete by the end of the week and I have an oatmeal stout that will be completely ready in two weeks. (Then I can start my world take-over!!) As soon as I have my first pour I will let you know how it goes. Maybe even post a video of my VIRGIN CASCADE!!! Thanks again, sir!!!

**SuckaMooHudda** · 09-16-2011, 05:21 AM

My stout setup is complete and I have to say, it is by far the best thing I have done since I started homebrewing. UNBELIEVABLE RESULTS!!!! My Oatmeal Stout, put through this system, is by far the best beer I have ever had....EVER!! I cannot say enough (without sounding like I am making stuff up). I kid you not, this will turn even the biggest Stout haters into Stout converts....I swear. I used a lot of the above information and kinda winged it at the same time, and BAMM!! I am a happy man!!! If anyone knows how to post a video, please let me know, I would love to show my first cascade video on this thread but I cannot figure it out Thanks all.