Getting started with kegging

[nukebrewer]

So I think I am finally ready to make the switch over to kegging. Bottling beer is the bane of my existence, so I want to do this right, but not spend more money than I really need to. Also, SWMBO will get mad if I spend too much at one time on this hobby/passion of mine, but she's totally on board for the upgrade to kegging because she hates bottling as much as I do. Anyway, to the point. I did some research and found a couple pretty good deals on a basic kegging setup sans refer. The one I am looking at getting is this one. It seems to have everything I need and it's got a few good reviews, but I just wanted to see if anyone knew of any other deals I might be missing out on or if the kit is missing some critical piece of equipment that I will regret not having ordered. Thanks.

-AJ

 

[boogyman]

I suppose it depends on your budget. If you get a new co2 tank with that link, it's an ok deal. You'll also need more beer line than 3ft (usually ~10ft to not have foaming issues).

A lot of people on here buy from kegconnection.com.. particularly, this would be the equivalent of what you want to buy (for $20 cheaper): http://stores.kegconnection.com/Detail.bok?no=325

I personally would spring for the dual regulator/dual keg kit, because you'll probably want to upgrade to something like this anyway:
http://stores.kegconnection.com/Detail.bok?no=324

Or, you can piece it together from sites like micromatic.com and beveragefactory.com

 

[boogyman]

I should also add that you'll probably get sick of opening your kegerator/keezer to use the picnic taps, so you might want to look at the kits that include shanks & faucets. ... but that's just more $

 

[studmonk3y]

Shipping to HI will kill most deals on CO2 tanks and corny kegs. I've found there's enough people on Oahu to find good deals on craigslist. If you're patient it will definitely save you some money.

 

[gnef]

Definitely get shanks and faucets up front. Do you have a fridge you can drill holes through the front to make into a dedicated kegerator though?

Also, since you will be buying new, I would go ahead and spring for the forward sealing faucets. Yes, they are more expensive, but they are definitely worth it if you can spare the extra cash right now. I started with rear sealing faucets, and then converted all of them to forward sealing faucets, so I essentially had to pay twice for my faucets.

 

[Wade E]

I agree with the beer line, needs to be usually a min. of 8'. Find out where in town you can get a 5 lb tank filled, I dont have a place locally that will fill a 5 lb tank but I do have a brew shop that will exchange the tank for another filled one so your brand new one would go by by here!

 

[sea2summit3]

I suppose it depends on your budget. If you get a new co2 tank with that link, it's an ok deal. You'll also need more beer line than 3ft (usually ~10ft to not have foaming issues).

A lot of people on here buy from kegconnection.com.. particularly, this would be the equivalent of what you want to buy (for $20 cheaper): http://stores.kegconnection.com/Detail.bok?no=325

I personally would spring for the dual regulator/dual keg kit, because you'll probably want to upgrade to something like this anyway:
http://stores.kegconnection.com/Detail.bok?no=324

Or, you can piece it together from sites like micromatic.com and beveragefactory.com

A dual regulator is great to have but not necessary unless you're going to carb your beers differently. I've been running 4 kegs off one regulator for over a year now and it works great. For four kegs, you just need a 1/4" cross fitting and some Ts to split your gas line a few times. You might have to live with a beer that isn't carbed "properly", but my beer still turns out great. :fro:

 

[jaynik]

I've been looking at a similar set up from kegconnection.com but for cheaper. I like the idea of the picnic taps because although I expect to want to drill holes in my fridge, I want to see how this goes over first, before I drill any holes. I can always buy the shanks later on, albeit not with a package discount.

 

[boogyman]

A dual regulator is great to have but not necessary unless you're going to carb your beers differently. I've been running 4 kegs off one regulator for over a year now and it works great. For four kegs, you just need a 1/4" cross fitting and some Ts to split your gas line a few times. You might have to live with a beer that isn't carbed "properly", but my beer still turns out great. :fro:

True.. nice for separate carb levels, but that's not what I use mine for. I have all my beers on one pressure setting, and I have the other regulator on 30psi to seat lids, force carb, and other "maintenance" things.

 

[Wyldjim]

I just upgraded to kegs after 20 years of bottles. I will still bottle some beers, but I was not brewing as much as I'd like because of the bottling issue.

First, you need to decide what you want? Do you have a fridge with room for this? Are you doing a kegerator/ or keezer conversion?

If you are thinking this is going to fit in the family fridge, probably not.

What you have picked is a very basic set, and will get you by.

The biggest price issue will be shipping. Most of the deals I see on here are East Coast/ Texas/etc. For California the shipping is out of control a usually means not a good deal.

Morebeer ships free with order over $59, including kegs. I just paid $39 for reconditioned kegs, but shipping was free. The East Coast places wanted $100 to ship 3-4 kegs. So even though the deal seemed good. When you get to checkout, ouch.

I just checked morebeer and the free shipping is for 48 states. So you would have to contact them directly.

Of course, u probably have some way of getting stuff shipped through unofficial chanels.

I got a kegerator from beverage factory because, I just don't hav e the time or space to build a keezer. But, they are 20 miles from my house so I saved $130 in shipping (paid for the perlicks

 

[Wyldjim]

I suppose it depends on your budget. If you get a new co2 tank with that link, it's an ok deal. You'll also need more beer line than 3ft (usually ~10ft to not have foaming issues).

I personally would spring for the dual regulator/dual keg kit, because you'll probably want to upgrade to something like this anyway:
http://stores.kegconnection.com/Detail.bok?no=324

I agree, you might want to consider the 2 keg system. (I checked and they wanted $92 to ship to the Island).

If you have a fridge to convert I would pick the 2 tap system. Drill two holes in the door and you're done.

 

[nukebrewer]

Thank you for all the replies, everyone. There was a lot of good info put out, but after much trepidation and fear of SWMBO's wrath, I decided on a compromise. I ordered the 2 keg starter kit from kegconnection.com because I know I'll be wanting to upgrade at some point anyway. I am going to find a suitable fridge on craigslist, but hold off on the kegerator conversion until SWMBO cools off from me spending more than I told her I would on the kegging kit. Thanks again for all the good info and suggestions. Cheers!

-AJ