Corny Keg trying again.... need to learn more

[aamcle]

I've had a keg for some time but it let me down on my first and second attempts to use it so I have continued to bottle condition my beers. On the whole I'm happy with bottles I don't brew big batches and with a bit of organisation bottling isn't too much trouble and suits the way I drink.

However I'd like to get my keg into use when I have sorted out the leak, I have a converted freezer with a STC1000 to control temperature, what I need to know more about is dispensing. Balancing beer lines for different batches then having them full but stagnant for possibly weeks at a time doesn't appeal to me.

• Are there any in line pressure reducers I could fit?
• What about the taps that fill plastic bottles? No sediment in my bottles would be a pleasant change.
• Any taps to fill glass bottles?

I know lots of brewers extol kegs as easier than bottling, but there seems to be much more to maintain, Co2 supply, freezer temp n control, balancing lines, cleaning lines, Oh and least I forget hunting leaks!


Thanks All. aamcle

 

[GilSwillBasementBrews]

For what it's worth I use a fridge with no temp controller as a kegerator so that one less issue. Any tap can fill glass or plastic they make inserts you can push into the tap to fill from bottom of bottle. Or check out biermunchers bottle filler thread on here. Basically use a picnic tap and bottle wand to fill bottles. Either methods work and will give you clean beer in the bottles. Not sure about in line pressure reducers. Yeah hunting co2 leaks sucks but once you've eliminated them they usually stay gone. At least in my experience.

 

[55x11]

I've had a keg for some time but it let me down on my first and second attempts to use it so I have continued to bottle condition my beers. On the whole I'm happy with bottles I don't brew big batches and with a bit of organisation bottling isn't too much trouble and suits the way I drink.

However I'd like to get my keg into use when I have sorted out the leak, I have a converted freezer with a STC1000 to control temperature, what I need to know more about is dispensing. Balancing beer lines for different batches then having them full but stagnant for possibly weeks at a time doesn't appeal to me.

• Are there any in line pressure reducers I could fit?
• What about the taps that fill plastic bottles? No sediment in my bottles would be a pleasant change.
• Any taps to fill glass bottles?

I know lots of brewers extol kegs as easier than bottling, but there seems to be much more to maintain, Co2 supply, freezer temp n control, balancing lines, cleaning lines, Oh and least I forget hunting leaks!


Thanks All. aamcle

Yes, there are in-line pressure reducers and taps that have them (like perlicks 650SS), but you can also just simply lower the pressure on regulator, and fill the bottles - either using a beer gun or counterpressure filler, or something as simple as bottling wand stuck in picnic tap.

As for your second question, I think you are referring to carbacap.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K4GGYT0/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

You can use them to get beer cold and carbonated quickly in a plastic bottle.

As to your last comment - these approaches don't save you much as you still need to make sure your system (Co2 tank/regulator, gas lines, connections, a keg) don't have leaks, you still need a way to keep your beer cold, etc.

I personally like beer gun since it allows one to flush the bottles with CO2 prior to filling, which is important if you want to age beer in the bottles for more than a few weeks.