Is it possible to use a bucket as a makeshift keg?

I want to get a kegging system set up, but I need to get some money together first. I had a crazy idea in the mean time. Could you use a bucket as a keg and just throw it in the fridge? Then set up a hose with continuous suction, essentially syphoning beer from the bottom. The hose would need a on/off valve or something similar to that bottling thing, so the suction would not be lost. The biggest problem would seem to be the bucket withstanding the pressure of the carbinated beer or leakage of carbination.

It would not hold enough pressure to keep the beer carbonated.

I may be wrong, but isn't Mr. Beer a sort of poor-man's keg?

grnich said:

I may be wrong, but isn't Mr. Beer a sort of poor-man's keg?

Click to expand...

For all of the talk of Mr. Beer, I have yet to encounter one myself. I have seen the plastic bottles that have the little tap that dispenses with CO2. I'm not sure that I completely understand where the OP is going with his bucket idea, but from what I understand I'm not sure that it sounds like it will really work.

If you don't have the money for setting up a kegging system, then buy it in pieces, starting with a corny or two.

Please take this in the kindest terms.

I've seen alot of wack ideas to which I've said, "No way is that possible."
Whenever I've been proven wrong (less often than not) it has been the result of trial and error and 10's of interations and ridiculous amounts of time, money and energy spent.

So...

No. It is not possible by you without ruining 10 - 15 batches.

You will never be able to hold pressure without spending more money than it takes to buy a corny.

Really. I'm not trying to be a buzkill. I'm starting drinking early that's all.

Buy a Party Pig... enjoy

I bought these:

http://morebeer.com/view_product/18250/102290
http://morebeer.com/view_product/18270
http://morebeer.com/view_product/18306/

and you have (basically) kegged beer or Apfelwein from a 2L bottle overnight. No control over pressure, but if you just fill it until the bottle is hard, it gets you started. I love it! Usually bottle all except 4L and then I can taste in 2 days. Not bottle conditioned yet, but less wait. They even sell nitro refills if you want to put beer on nitro, too.

olllllo has it right.

No way. Corny kegs in the states are so cheap.
If you naturally carbonate then you only need CO2 for serving.
If you want to you can use air which is free. I'd only recommend that if you are going to clear the keg in a day or so.

I've seen people use a bicycle pump to maintain serving pressure.

Learn to love Real Ale, but only if you have a cellar.