2 liter soda bottle kegging system.

My plan is to use two liter soda bottles as mini kegs. I have built two mini taps, that fit the soda bottles, and that charge co2 from the little bike pump CO 2 cartridges.

I am going with this system just to give me the most flexibility, easy to transport, and i can serve lots of different beers, and cider at once. The soda bottles are also super cheap, and i can easily fit em in my refrigerator.

Does anyone else here do this?

Its basically a home made tap-A-draft, system.

 

Pic's? It aint real without pix!

 

keep those soda bottles in the dark. otherwise you'll be serving extra-skunked beer.

 

Have any pics or how to's on those taps?

Sean

 

What do you plan to do? Naturally carbonate and dispense with the co2 cartridges?

I'm not trying to throw cold water on your experiment, Because that's one the fun things about doing homebrew. So let us know how it works out for you.

But I think over the long haul you'll spend more money on the CO2 cartridges than you'll save on soda bottles. By going with cornie kegs and a 5# or 10# Tank and regulator instead over a several year period you'll save money. But if you are not sure you want to do this hobby over the long haul this could work out well.

The break even point would depend on how much you brew.

Good luck!

 

i can get pics, of the taps. I found the deisgns on here somewhere. Theres two websights with directions.

Pretty much like the one linked below.

http://home.chattanooga.net/~cdp/3lkeg/3lkeg.htm

I think you are right about the expense, of the CO2. The plan is to naturally carbonate, and tap with the mini tap. If I am drinking the whole two liters in a session, I can even just use an air pump.

My first test with beer was very foamy, I am thinking about crimping the pickup tube to restrict the flow. When i used it with cider, it worked very well.

 

Try a longer dispensing tube to knock out the excessive foam. Your dispensing tube pressure drop needs to equal your dispensing pressure.

 

Try and find a few of those store-brand 3liter bottles; they might give you a little more flexibility for trips.

You might be able to save a little on the cartriges by using a paintball tank, but I'm not too familiar with them.

 

bump for pics?

 

No need for taps. Just unscrew and pour. More simple.

 

yer mountain dew's gone bad! or...good!

how long does that stay good for after initially opening? Do you just reprime it with co2 after every pour? or at the end of the evening?

 

It stays carbonated for 4 or 5 pours. If I have any left I recharge before going to bed.

 

Is the tire valve stem stainless or chrome?
Have you found a tire valve stem brand/model you prefer?

 

Yes, stainless. I found them at Advance Auto Parts. 2 for $4.29

 

or.... http://www.homebrewing.org/The-Carbonator-Draft-to-Go_p_108.html
http://www.breworganic.com/thecarbonator.aspx

These hooked up to a ball lock co2 dispenser is what I'm gonna do.

Minus the small co2 dispenser and add my normal kegging co2. 30psi and throw it in the fridge. hit again once it absorbs to keep the pressure and you're set to drink!

 

What are you using to recharge it? Just a 12 gram co2 cartridge?

 

I do the same type thing, but I also have a keezer for at home enjoyment. When I go to friend's houses I bring 2-liters with those tire valve caps. I added an air-chuck to my #20 co2 line so I can always hit the bottles to 30psi, much cheaper than the disposable cartridges. I've made about 16 of those tops, so I'll put most of them in 2-liters, but also some in 16oz seltzer water bottles. Even if you don't have a way to dispense at home, it would be much, much cheaper to invest in a bigger tank...I've even taken mine on beach trips so I can force-carbonate bottles of homebrew on the go.

 

A regular CO2 bottle + regulator + air chuck. You could use a portable CO2 charger with lots of caution. I have in the past.

 

Sorry, I am new to all of this, what is an air chuck?

 

You fill your bottle, like you would fill a tire, but it's hooked up to CO2 instead of an air compresser.

 

Thanks so much for the help!