Dreaming of that upgrade...

[t3chn0g33k]

My wife and I are relatively new to home brewing (about a year) and are about to upgrade to our first keezer build. We have been scouring the forums and the internet at large and we have a pretty good feel for an initial build (material wise). The real question I have is about future upgrades and goals...

For example it seems that we can start with a basic faucet and save money but the goal would be something like a Perlick 650SS Beer Faucet.

So....is there a name brand or model number we should strive for when it comes to the rest of the build as we slowly upgrade parts?

Types of hose....
Types of regulator....
Types of hose connectors....

My apologies if I missed these answers and for the obvious ambiguous question. My hope is there are some names and/or models that rise to the top when it comes to ideal parts.

 

[geejay]

Types of hose....
Types of hose connectors....

I bought my hose at ritebrew. I used the red 5/16 ID hose for gas and the 3/16 ID for the beer. The 3/16 ID for the beer is important, to slow the beer down on the way to the faucet. The ID of the gas hose doesn't matter, as far as I know, but I bought the red stuff so that it's color coded versus the beer hose.
I buy 100 foot rolls so I don't have to run out.

I recommend using 1/4" flare fittings everywhere: on the keg taps, on the hose, on the faucets, on the regulator and gas manifold, etc.
I recommend using Oetiker clamps everywhere.

 

[LandoLincoln]

If you don't have enough money for the SS Perlicks, just save your money until you do and go with picnic taps.

 

[Bellybuster]

Yup, don't waste your money on cheap faucets. They are the heart of the whole system and you will upgrade to per licks in short order.

 

[t3chn0g33k]

- Igloo 10cuft (#FRF1050) 6 corny 'ball-lock' kegs will fit on the floor w/no collar
- 10# CO2 tank
- 4 Ball-lock Corny Kegs
- Taprite CO2 Regulator Dual Gauge (#CO2-REG-516)
*Upgrading to a Dual Body Regulator --> Taprite the way to go?
- Two-way manifold (#MAN-2W-516))
*Upgrading to a four-way --> Any quality issues to consider?
- 4ft NSF 3/16" clear beer line tubing
*Upgrading to 6ft lines --> What is considered reasonable $ / best quality?
- 3ft NSF 5/16" clear gas line tubing
*Changing to colored lines...cause I think that will look cooler
- Picnic faucets
*Just received two Perlick 650SS today!!! / Will need to save for two more

For the tubing and connectors I was looking for easy and quality. I had seen folks talking about the 'John Guest' connectors. Also, looking at the use of swivel nuts. Then again if I connect everything the right way I shouldn't really have to take apart and put back together often...just clean the lines....am I right here?

 

[t3chn0g33k]

That is what I read repeatedly over the last few months and that is the one area I spent some money on. The good news is my wife is 110% on board. With the chest freezer and Perlick beauties showing up today I may be able to run off that excitement and upgrade a few more items. Keezer is just a freezer today....