How much DME do I need to carbonate a 5 gal keg?

[Golddiggie]

rawlus, I'm thinking along the same lines now... Since I'd rather have things set up right the first time, I'll plan to have the tank outside the keezer from the start. I'll figure out where the split will go (probably inside the keezer) and then feed the manifolds for each style set. I will probably go with the better quality, more adjustable, or premium regulators there. Placing those either on the manifolds, or where the Y split is. Which ever will give me the best end result, and work the best (should be the same thing).

I can't see needing to use the bottle carbonating attachment at this point. Maybe in the future, but not for the next few years.

I'm looking to start getting all the hardware for this in the next couple of weeks, or early next month. Once I start the new job, it will be easier to spend the money (trying to decide between two offers right now)...

 

[Golddiggie]

Let us know how this turns out, I'd be interested to see

Of course... Even thinking about getting a paintball style tank to use when not at home. I don't think all that many of my family members are into porters and stouts like I am. So, one or two ale's would be enough (or it better be)... Tap one, when it kicks, tap the other. If that kicks, then they are back to bottles...

 

[shoestealer17]

Of course... Even thinking about getting a paintball style tank to use when not at home. I don't think all that many of my family members are into porters and stouts like I am. So, one or two ale's would be enough (or it better be)... Tap one, when it kicks, tap the other. If that kicks, then they are back to bottles...

Im thinking about doing something like that too.
Im tryin to think of the easiest and cheapest way to do it.
Picnic tap, of course, to dispense the beer, but I dont have a good way to keep it cold while at someone elses house

 

[Golddiggie]

Im thinking about doing something like that too.
Im tryin to think of the easiest and cheapest way to do it.
Picnic tap, of course, to dispense the beer, but I dont have a good way to keep it cold while at someone elses house

I have a largish soft side cooler (around 20 quarts I think) that I can use. More than wide enough to hold a keg, plus a bunch of ice. I figure that I can fit most of a 2.5 gallon keg into the cooler. I might actually get lucky, and be able to fit it in, be able to close the top, and just run the lines through a small gap in the zipper.

If you're doing full 5 gallon kegs, then it could be more difficult. Although, I don't think you'll need to cool the entire keg. Just the lower half (maybe less). Get enough ice to cover to that point and you should be good to go. I would just make sure you have enough ice to account for melting (over the time frame you expect it to last, or for the day)...

 

[shoestealer17]

I have a largish soft side cooler (around 20 quarts I think) that I can use. More than wide enough to hold a keg, plus a bunch of ice. I figure that I can fit most of a 2.5 gallon keg into the cooler. I might actually get lucky, and be able to fit it in, be able to close the top, and just run the lines through a small gap in the zipper.

A soft side cooler sounds like a good idea. Where did you get yours?
I am doing the 5 gal but I bet it would work.

Im also thinking about gettin a growler to take 1/2 gal some where whenever I want instead of lugging the keg all around.

And you should check out
http://www.kegworks.com/product.php?productid=21295&cat=967&page=1
Its a pretty cool little idea if you plan to empty the keg rather quickly

 

[rawlus]

a popular route is the large beverage coolers like the igloo ones you see full of gatorade at a game... put keg in that and pack with ice/water. some get into it more with the wheeled igloo cube coolers, cut a round hole in the top of the lid and put a tap adapter right onto the keg post (to avoid picnic tap and beer line)..

thing to consider with the portable solutions is how to keep the lines cool enough that the beer doesn't instantly foam once it goes from the cold depths of the keg into the sunlit, un-cooled lines... that can be a problem...

like i said, a common solution is to use a keg post tap adapter. so you can have a tap right on the keg itself, you can compensate for line resistance loss by using the epoxy mixing sticks inside your dip tubes, or you can lower serving pressure substantially if you're gonna be kicking the keg that day. and insulate the keg with a neoprene wrap, insulating bubble wrap or whatever you can devise. some use trashcans too.

you could also insulate the line to the picnic tap, or keep it immersed in ice water or any number of things.

 

[shoestealer17]

rawlus
I like your suggestions alot, I will probably take them eventually.
Right now though, ive decided, ive spent alot of money on homebrew recently so im just going to get a growler for now and expand later.
I liked all of the ideas though, they are very interesting

 

[Golddiggie]

A soft side cooler sounds like a good idea. Where did you get yours?
I am doing the 5 gal but I bet it would work.

Im also thinking about gettin a growler to take 1/2 gal some where whenever I want instead of lugging the keg all around.

And you should check out
http://www.kegworks.com/product.php?productid=21295&cat=967&page=1
Its a pretty cool little idea if you plan to empty the keg rather quickly

Not sure about that item... I might get one, but I like the idea of having a small tank that I can actually set the pressure on. That way I'm sure that the brew will be as I want it.

With the cooler (it's out in the truck bed right now, so I'm not going to see what make/model it is) I have, it would be easy to just fill with enough ice, and put the tap line in the cooler itself while not pulling a pint. I might pick up some insulation for the line, if I start taking kegs to enough gatherings. The cooler I have has wheels and an extending handle to help wheel it around. Usually, I just carry it via the straps though.

IF I find that I'm doing it enough, there's always the option of installing a tap into a large enough (vertical) cooler and just run the line from the keg to that, and let people pull from the cooler. Get a cooler with wheels on it, and that solves the 'issue' with lugging it around (you should be strong enough to carry a keg and a cooler around)... Or pick up a dolly/hand truck to take it with you. Most of the places I would take the beer, for family gatherings, wouldn't pose any trouble going from the truck to where people will be pulling from the keg. Telling them it's "free beer" usually yields enough help.