Went off the deep end

Haven't even popped my first bottle yet but here is my latest investment




Plan to use these for fermentation, storage, and of course serving.
Still need a co2 tank and fittings.

Close to complete mini home brew factory
Pots 10g,4g,1.5g
fermenters - 5-1g 1-stainless 7g, 6 corny kegs

Do i need a pump yet? something cheap? larger auto siphon?
Any tips or advice?

I've already started looking into keg-erators, so i do have an eye out for a cheap chest freezer.

My wife was only mildly amused with my 40$ stainless corny keg value ratio to some similar price jewelry she wanted so this after this keg purchase i may have to slow down for a few months.

 

Hey at least your wife matches you on values. Last year she got a $4,000ish ring and I got a $500ish rifle for Christmas LOL. I still feel like I won though and that’s all that matters right?

 

I only use pumps during brew sessions. Gravity can move all of your beer for transfers. You will need CO2 to serve, and to create a pressure imbalance to start closed transfers. You will also find it useful to purge those kegs for bulk storage following primary, prior to filling serving kegs, etc. CO2 is a must!

 

Agreed, pumps can be helpful but not entirely necessary. Are you brewing with propane? If so I would suggest getting an extra propane tank for a backup because running to the store for a refill in the middle of a brew can make a brew day suck.

 

Stove top, i will probably get a 1500w 'hot rod' to speed things up when i get into 5-6 gallon batches.

Thanks, the chest freezers look cheap enough to get new if i don't find any good deals used

 

Love it, lots of luck. I'm also digging your tractor!

John

 

Sounds like your first bottling experience went like mine. Nothing went wrong, just "no thanks". Pretty sure I had my first set of kegs befire the first batch was conditioned.

I'd agree with the others, you only need a pump on the hot side, and even then only if doing whirlpools.

As for the keezer, brew up a batch and put it in a fermenter, you'll find a deal on craigslist in the time takes to finish.

Though, if I were to do it again, I'd use a over (freezer) under (fridge). I switched to this based on my keezer temp controller failing at the same time as getting a new fridge in the kitchen. I am immensely happier with the fridge (plus it fits 6 instead of the 4 i could get it my keezer).

 

Next purchase co2 regulator, tank and gas. 1st time with gas will be about $100. That’ll include the tank, then around $20 after that for refills. Buy a good regulator.

 

[Heh, heh. JPBrew thinks he's gone off the deep end. He's really only knee-deep in the shallow end of the pool.]

Hey, JP! Keep posting your acquisitions and we'll let you know when you're approaching the deep end!

 

Ya, so much distance left to travel

Kegging is the start of how I went from "homebrewing is cheaper" to "over time, I can do my upgrades such that maybe I can open a brewpub/nano someday". Pretty sure I also had my all grain equipment before my first bottles were conditioned.