Advice on Kegging Rig Greatly Appreciated

dcummings1998 · Aug 3, 2011

Hey all,

I've read so many posts on kegging setups that my head is starting to spin, so I thought I'd bring it to the forum.

I want a 2-keg setup with pin locks (assuming they are cheaper than ball), a 5 or 10-lb co2 cylinder, and a dual regulator where I can dispense from one keg and carbonate in the other. At this point I'm going to use picnic taps, but eventually I may be interested in drilling my fridge.

Here are my options:

1) This kegconnection rig http://stores.kegconnection.com/Detail.bok?no=498

with a 10-lb tank ($75), TWO 5-gal pin-lock kegs ($70 total), and TWO picnic taps and hoses ($10 total)

This would cost $300 shipped, and would give me the options of using picnics or shank taps. However, the regulator has two dials but it looks like one is for regulating the dispensing pressure, and the other is for monitoring the gas level in the tank. This doesn't totally work for me, assuming I want to run different pressures on each tank.

2) From midwest http://www.midwestsupplies.com/brew-logic-dual-tap-draft-system-w-pin-lock-kegs.html

With a 10-lb tank ($70)

This would cost me $270, plus shipping, which would push it close to $300.

So they're a wash, in terms of price.

However, they're functionally different.

I think I'm getting more out of the kegconnections kit, as I get both types of taps, which saves me money down the road.

I'm not sure that the kegconnections regulator is exactly what I want, and prefer the type with the midwest kit, as it has two dials plus the gas meter.

BUT...I have also heard that the kegconnections regulator is better (Taprite brand).

Any thoughts? Perhaps I could upgrade the kegconnections kit to a regulator like one of the bottom two on this page http://stores.kegconnection.com/Categories.bok?category=*Components%3ARegulators%3ATaprite

I really appreciate the suggestions; this is my intro to kegging, and I want to do it right the first time!

Dave

Yooper · Aug 4, 2011

If you want to always have two different pressures for serving different style beers and/or soda, you need the two primary regulators. Kegconnection has them- just give them a call to ask how much to upgrade to it.

You don't need two regulators to serve/carbonate, though. You pretty much carb/serve at the same pressure. The only time you use a different pressure is if you're trying to quick carb something (usually results in overcarbed beer, though) or serving two totally different things which are often served at different carb levels, say a stout and a saison.

I have 5 kegs all at one pressure, with one regulator and distributor. Regardless, if you want a double primary, you can get one.

dcummings1998 · Aug 4, 2011

Yooper said:
I have 5 kegs all at one pressure, with one regulator and distributor. Regardless, if you want a double primary, you can get one.

Excellent, that's good info. If someone like you is fine with a single regulator, then I'm sure it would be sufficient for what I would need.

With that in mind, I think I'll take the kegconnection rig. Thanks Yooper!

Kaz · Aug 4, 2011

There are times when the dual regulator comes in pretty handy. I have 3 kegs always in the fridge, usually one of them is a Wit or Hefe for the wife and the other 2 can be anything. Its nice to have the dual setup to keg the wheat beers a little higher and have the others lower. Right now I have a Wit and a Hefe on a dual manifold off of one regulator set at 13psi @45F and a Scottish Ale set on the 2nd regulator at 10psi.

Barnzy02 · Aug 4, 2011

my girlfriend purchased #2 you have listed from midwest for me. changed my life, seriously.

I enjoy the idea of having the dual regulator although i don't use it per se, as i keep both set to the same pressure.

But i like that it allows me some flexibility when i build up my keezer further than just having the two picnic taps. I'll probably run one through a manifold and then have one set up for possible carbonation or soda.

brewhappy · Aug 4, 2011

I really recommend the extra money for the midwest kit that has a dual pressure keg. I brew a lot of belgian and hefe, which I keep at a higher pressure than my pales. Additionally it's great to be able to carb for a couple days at 30psi and then drop down to 12. I also can bottle with the beer gun at a separate pressure and I don't have to disconnect anything.

As far as quality I think you'll be fine with midwest they are reputable and I'm sure they would honor returns if something happened. The only other think I wish I would have done was get the knobs you can turn by hand on my regulators. I am constantly fiddling with the pressure on my beers as they carb up and it sucks using a screwdriver.