[Not a] Bike Pump Keg [Evolution] - Page 2

**Revvy** · 02-20-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pizzaman

Just found this link after one second of searching: Onebeer.net :: Homebrew :: Minitap

[EDIT] and this one... Cheap 3 Liter Kegs [/EDIT]

We have more detailed plans for those mini tap doohickeys and the carbonation caps scattered throughout our own site here...

pizzaman · 02-20-2009, 04:09 PM

Spent the last 40 minutes or so searching for something like that on this site. I found plenty of forums where people listed the links I just listed, but no build plans anywhere here.

I did find another good external link: 3 Liter Pop Bottle Mini-Kegs

This looks like the simplest and easiest setup so far. I think I'll just build one of these and see how it works out with a plain 'ol bike pump. When we host or attend a party where my beer is being served, we always run out of it first so I'm sure using a bike pump would work out fine without having to worry about oxidation. Plus, if I can pull it off and impress the wifey enough I'll be allowed to invest more money into future keggings!

**Revvy** · 02-20-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pizzaman

Spent the last 40 minutes or so searching for something like that on this site. I found plenty of forums where people listed the links I just listed, but no build plans anywhere here.

I did find another good external link: 3 Liter Pop Bottle Mini-Kegs

This looks like the simplest and easiest setup so far. I think I'll just build one of these and see how it works out with a plain 'ol bike pump. When we host or attend a party where my beer is being served, we always run out of it first so I'm sure using a bike pump would work out fine without having to worry about oxidation. Plus, if I can pull it off and impress the wifey enough I'll be allowed to invest more money into future keggings!

Yeah for fast consumption I think something like that WOULD be the way to go....that and the Beer Engine from the RV Pump...

OOOH dig up that thread as well....I think the title is "Ladies and Gentlemen, meet my new beer engine" there is a discussion of something similar in there.

pizzaman · 02-20-2009, 04:40 PM

Good stuff, you're the man rev!

Here's that thread if anyone's interested: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/fellow-homebrewers-meet-my-new-beer-engine-10529/

**Revvy** · 02-20-2009, 04:41 PM

You will take pics and write up what you do, right?

pizzaman · 02-20-2009, 05:08 PM

But of course...we got an awesome digital cam last year and I use the heck outta it. I'm bored right now and am working on a basic 3d model....nothing fancy, but this thread could use another pic.

pizzaman · 02-20-2009, 05:35 PM

From what I've read on other sites, the 2 Liter kegs are all used in addition to a real keg. They have the beer primed and ready to go in their full keg, and transfer it to the portable keg. I wonder if I would have a problem priming in these bottles since I don't currently own a keg? I would assume as long as I got the priming calculations correct it shouldn't be an issue as I used to use pint plastic bottles before I stocked up on glass bottles and they worked fine...

What I would like to do is prime in the 2L bottles with a regular cap on the bottle. Then, after priming for 3 weeks take 2 or 3 of the bottles with me to a party and have one lid with the mini-keg fittings. Once one bottle is empty I'd move the MK lid to the next bottle and so on until all gone. I imagine as long as the bottles are sealed and cold they would remain primed and ready to drink....and since I'll be using a bike pump anyway the initial opening to switch caps wouldn't be too much of an issue with oxidation right?

SumnerH · 02-20-2009, 08:00 PM

Priming and conditioning in soda bottles shouldn't be a problem.

If it's gonna get killed in a couple of hours, I wouldn't worry much about oxidation. Some people worry about the (very low but non-zero) oxygen permeability of soda bottles but I doubt it'd be too significant unless you're planning on storing the beer for long periods of time.

I'd avoid root beer bottles since the flavor is the most likely to linger of common sodas.

Finally, I'd think long and hard about the cost/benefit. Something like the party pig runs $50 for an 8.5 liter dispenser (that's no pump, no oxygenation). Those keg-tap instructions say $10 in parts, but then another $18 for the CO2 charger that he decided was necessary. That's $28 + the cost of bottles. If you already have a bike pump you can keep the cost lower, and it's probably cheaper to run (per-bottle cost) than the pig bags. Still, you're also changing out tops more often.

I like the DIY thought, I'd just worry that at the size it's going to wind up fairly finicky. I'd at least consider using 3-liter soda bottles; they're not expensive and you'd be changing tops less often. And I'd make the plans around a CO2 charger (maybe not buy it initially, but design for expandability) in case you decide you want to go that route.

pizzaman · 02-20-2009, 11:13 PM

Good points. The main reason I'm going the DIY route, other than my constant desire to build anything and everything, is that swmbo won't approve me to purchase any kegging equipment or hardware, as it's not in our budget at the moment. If I can build a feasbile keg for around $10, which it looks like I can as we already own a bike pump and the necessary tools to build this, I should be able to introduce her to the many benefits of having a kegging system. After a couple months of using the diy kegs, she would more than likely approve the purchase of better hardware.

**beerthirty** · 02-21-2009, 03:44 PM

Oxygenation shouldn't be a problem since the 2L bottles are pressurized with CO2 over atmospheric pressure. I use them all the time to carb samples of a kegged batch that hasn't carbed up yet.(its a heck of a lot easier to shake a 2L than it is a keg) Recipients of the barleywine trade will receive the beer in this manner to cut down on shipping and handling cost. Bonus- they get to keep the carb cap.