CO2 regulator barbed shutoff valve size?

[Craichead]

I'm looking at two different regulators from Midwest Supply. The only apparent difference is that one has a 1/4" barbed shutoff valve and the other has a 5/16" one. What should I consider when deciding between these two sizes? Is one better than the other? FYI, this is my first time setting up a kegging system.

 

[Craichead]

By the way, here are the two regulators in question:

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/cornelius-dual-gauge-regulator-w-1-4-barbed-shutoff-valve.html

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/cornelius-dual-gauge-regulator-w-5-16-barbed-shutoff-valve.html

 

[bucfanmike]

if you are going with the red gas hose then get the 5/16, it is much easier to get a good seal. The only reason for the 1/4 would be if you were using some smaller i.d. gas hose.

 

[Craichead]

if you are going with the red gas hose then get the 5/16, it is much easier to get a good seal. The only reason for the 1/4 would be if you were using some smaller i.d. gas hose.

I don't have any gas hose yet; I have to purchase that as well. Is the red hose you're talking about always 5/16" and is it better than 1/4"

 

[bitmask]

5/16" is standard gas line size, used in commercial settings as well.

Some people like to use 1/4" because a barbed ball lock disconnect has a 1/4" barb. If you use 5/16" line it's best to get a disconnect with a flare fitting and the separate barb and flare nut.

Other than connecting to your disconnects/regulator, there it's no functional difference between the two sizes for gas.

 

[Craichead]

Any suggestion on how many feet of gas hose and dispensing hose I should get for a kegerator? As I write this, I'm suspecting that there's a thread for that somewhere on here...

 

[bitmask]

Gas line you just need enough to get where it needs to go. So it depends on your scenario (is the tank going to be outside the fridge or inside, etc).

Beer line length, there is thousands of posts on. There's even spreadsheets/calculators to determine how much line to use based on the diameter of line, fridge temp, co2 volumes in the beer appropriate for style, height of tap in relation to the keg, etc.

But to make things simple, a lot of people will suggest starting with 10' of 3/16", and you can always cut it shorter after getting to know your setup.

 

[Craichead]

Great advice. Thank you very much.