Can I use this keg?

[easymode]

Trying to find a cheap solution to force carbonate. I think it's better than messing with priming bottle, especially after my 18 bottles exploded.

Will this work as a cheap solution?

Tap-A-Draft Starter Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064ODDOG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_ZpxMwb32DBA1X

 

[jschein]

Yes but if you are force carbing get plenty of co2 cartridges

 

[Jupapabear]

WILL get expensive.

Cheaper would be a scale and brewing software to know the proper amount of priming sugar to add.

Personally, I hate bottling so I set up my keggerator and never looked back.

 

[cyanmonkey]

Does that thing have some kind of regulator?

I think the answers you're looking for are in the Q&A at the bottom.

 

[jschein]

No regulator. When I had them I naturally carbed in them and used the co2 for serving. It uses about 2 cartiridges per keg.

 

[frodus17]

Its very doubtful that you'll get the pressure levels required to force carbonate with standard CO2 cartridges. They don't have the volume nor the pressure to do much more than push the liquid out. You may get up to 30psi or so, but it won't stay there for long, as there's just no volume in those little tanks. It would take a lot of them to carbonate correctly.

I'd suggest getting a cheap used Corny and a cheap regulator and use a Paintball tank and a picnic tap. Might be able to do that for ~$100-$125 or so. Plus, you can upgrade your tank later if you want and keep the regulator. Use craigslist IMHO. I see regulators, corny kegs and related items all day long on there for well under market value.

With those tap-a-draft, you can't really do much with them in the way of upgrading.

 

[easymode]

Yeah, I thought about getting a kegerator, but is not very transportable.

I thought about going this route

http://www.compactappliance.com/EdgeStar-Deluxe-Mini-Kegerator-TBC50S-Beer-Cooler/TBC50S.html

 

[beerfactory]

http://www.compactappliance.com/EdgeStar-Deluxe-Mini-Kegerator-TBC50S-Beer-Cooler/TBC50S.html

the fad would quickly wear off. better off spending the time learning to bottle correctly or making the investment for smaller ball locks. personally, I fill growlers when taking my apfelwein to go.

 

[easymode]

Would you have any recommendations for single gallon brewing?

 

[PADave]

Would you have any recommendations for single gallon brewing?

Why did your bottles explode? Was fermentation not finished or did you add too much sugar? Something was obviously wrong, just fix your error.

 

[BeerChef17]

If your willing to pay that much I'd just get brewing software instead and save a boat load of money. Or you can just use thishttp://www.northernbrewer.com/primi...qngYZ4nD912eBf_M0ih6rneMIKLv9FfBqDxoCTn7w_wcB as well. Just put in the style, temp, and amount and violla! If you're only bottling a gallon it's going to be less than an ounce

 

[cyanmonkey]

http://www.northernbrewer.com/draft-brewer-mini-keg

1.75 gallon mini keg.

 

[McKnuckle]

I have a six tap keezer with "real" kegs in it, but I also have a bunch of TAD units that I started with. I still use them for small experiment batches, and for that, they are extremely useful. They fit in normal refrigerators, or even on shelves in my garage during winter.

They absolutely will force carbonate. A full CO2 cartridge is exhausted for that. It takes about 5-7 days. Afterwards, you can serve for a couple days and then you'll need a second cartridge to continue serving with proper carbonation. Interestingly, if you brew English beers that stylistically fit with lower carbonation, the TAD limping along on its first cartridge is a nice match.

They are cheaper than kegs for sure - but once you make the commitment to really get into brewing and serving, they are easily outgrown. Still, I think they have a place in the home brewery and I use them.

 

[mongoose33]

At that price why not just get a real keg? Try one of these:

http://www.morebeer.com/products/torpedo-ball-lock-kegs.html?site_id=9

I'm drinking homebrew tonite from the 5-gallon keg while watching the Packers play. It would be worth having something you can use for tap beer, too.

 

[PapaO]

Would you have any recommendations for single gallon brewing?

You could start with this carbonation cap add a co2 tank and regulator. If you make 5 gal all you have to add is kegs.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V334SME/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[easymode]

Too much sugar + used twist top bottles