Can anyone tell me how I could learn to use a keg?

[Elysium]

I have been brewing for a year or so....and so far all the beer has gone into bottles.

I would like to change to kegs and have like a draft beer system too in my house, but I have no clue how to start learning about these things. Any websites or good information on such things?

Google is a great tool but I am always redirected to websites that sell the parts. I need information first about these things so that I could use them and set up my own system.

 

[duboman]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/sticky-kegging-faqs-43347/

 

[kharper6]

Just find some YouTube videos on "Kegging Homebrew".

It seems really intimidating. But once you get a picnic line, CO2 tank, and corny keg in your fridge and you've gone through one keg and get the hang of it, then you start researching keg towers, keezers, etc.

 

[kh54s10]

There is plenty of information right on this forum. one link is already given.

I would also read threads on problems others have had so you might avoid them.

I got a 2 keg with picnic tap system off Amazon for just over $200. I have since added 2 more kegs (local source) and 3 faucets in the refrigerator door.

Get it going. It really is not difficult.

 

[Wingnutt73]

I myself just started Kegging also. Not hard at all. I had a spare fridge and the SWMBO got me the Conversion kit for X-mas. Drilled one hole and got a full Co2 tank. Beer is on tap all the time now. Easy peasy. I used this thread on how to carb the new brew https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/confused-about-kegging-carbonation-53428/ Hope this helps

 

[WarpedBrewer]

I am about to start kegging as well for the first time. I was pretty clueless at first but i felt a little more confident after watching several youtube videos of cleaning, installing, and filling. When I met with the guy who sold me all my keg stuff, he walked me through it and it looks easy now. I have 8 more days then I can keg my first batch!! I have also read several tutorials on this forum and looked up the FAQ sections on homebrew supply websites. I have learned just as much from them as anything else without purchasing anything. Just remember there are a dozen + different ways to do everything. I read them all, pick the best suited for me then try it and adapt as necessary. Good luck.

 

[ontum]

About a year ago I was sick and tired of all the cleaning and sanitizing of all of the equipment related to brewing, especially the bottles. Either I was going to give up home brewing or I was going to try kegs. I bought a couple kegs with the CO2 and I have never looked back. I would encourage anyone to jump right to kegs as its makes the process much less tedious and more enjoyable.

It seemed intimidating before I had the equipment, but there is no shortage of Youtube videos to help you figure it out. The process of using kegs is really simple and you get your beer sooner.

-
Craig

 

[Wolv]

I recently bought the keg, filtering and co2 equipment I needed. This video was quite alright for confirming the required parts.

Just waiting for the latest batch to be ready for it...

 

[SavaShip]

Here is the equipment you'll need:
a keg: (ball lock or pin lock) These refer to what type of connectors you need to buy. Used ball lock kegs are usually "pepsi kegs" they have a manual pull tab for pressure relief. Pin Lock kegs are usually "coke kegs" which have a fuse relief at the top that you can't manually actuate, however they are a little shorter than pepsi kegs and might fit in a fridge better than the taller keg.

A CO2 Cylinder: a 5lb cylinder will last you about 5-7 kegs. Consider possibly a 10lb cylinder.

A dual gauge regulator: This is what tells you how much pressure is in the CO2 tank on the high pressure side, and what the pressure in your keg is in the low pressure side. Look for one that has a stop valve, and possibly a manual shutoff on the low pressure side, so beer won't back up in your gas line.

A Gas line: You'll need a line that goes from the regulator to the keg. Match the connector (ball lock, or pin lock) to the style of keg that you own. Connect it to the "in" post on the keg, when you open your keg this will be the post connected to the short tube.

A liquid line: Cheapest way to go is a picnic dispenser. Just a hose with a push dispenser on it. Once again match the connector to your keg type (Ball or Pin Lock) and connect it to the "out" post, this will be the post with a tube that goes all the way to the bottom of the keg.

Once you get all your equipment, you may want to try force carbonating. There are a number of ways to do it. Some people give their beer surges of high pressure, and wait for it to fall to their desired pressure. Others set the regulator to the pressure that gives them the CO2 level they want in their beer (usually 12.5 psi or so) and just leave it there.

If you want to bottle from your keg, just reduce your feed PSI to 5 PSI, and insert a 6" long hose into your dispenser so you can fill from the bottom of the bottle.

I think you'll love kegging! one container to clean and sanitize, force carbonating takes 2 days instead of bottle conditioning which takes 20-30, and force carbonating leaves no sediment... the lack of little floaties in a glass will impress those that drink your beer!

 

[BigFloyd]

Spend some time looking at the threads in the HBT Bottling & Kegging sub-forum. Lots of good info there.

Three quick tips.

If possible, force carb by chilling the keg to 38-40*F and leave it on 12psi gas for 12-14 days. Burst carbing can be a big tricky (I'm doing one now), especially for a newer kegger. Forget about the shaking methods unless you like cloudy beer.

Use keg lube in all o-rings and the lid seal.

Get 12ft of 3/16" beer line for each tap. You'll be able to leave the regulator set at 12psi and get great pours at 38*F. If it's too slow, trim off a foot and try it again. Many dispensing problems stem from trying to use a too short beer line like the 5ft ones that came with my setup.

 

[duboman]

Here is a force carb methond I employ and find very effective with no chance of overcarbonating:

1. Chill keg to serving temp
2. Hook up co2 at serving pressure and allow keg to fill until you hear no more gas entering
3. Disconnect gas and roll keg on floor for 3-5 minutes
4. Hook up gas and repeat process 3-4 times
5. Put keg in kegerator/fridge with gas on at serving pressure
6. Allow 3-4 days to settle and you should be just about fully carbonated by day 5 and ready to pour.

This method works because you are force carbonating at serving pressure so there is no chance of over carbonating the beer as there is with starting with a much higher pressure. I begin enjoying each and every keg within a week!