How Much Is Left In That Keg?

[ksbrain]

You see lots of threads all around about how to do this. From a stick-on thermometer that you spray with hot water to digital flowmeters to just open the fridge for a few minutes, and condensation will accumulate where the beer is. But I couldn't find anything that would work for me.

Finally I saw an idea, I think it was an off-hand comment, maybe even a joke. "Why not have a jar with 40 pennies in it, and you take one out each time you take a pint". I don't have a place for a jar of pennies near my taps, but this gave me an idea.

I printed out a set of little 4x12 grids counting down from 48 to 0, made in Excel, and taped them to my fridge right above my tap handles - one 4x12 grid for each tap. And I use a little magnet on each one to show how many pours should be left in there. I start at 48, and each time I pour myself a glass, I knock it down one. It's rather approximate, because I don't know exactly how much I put into the keg, and I can't say exactly how much each pour I take is, but I shouldn't be completely blindsided by blowing a keg again.

Just a simple idea I was pretty happy with myself for coming up with.

 

[humann_brewing]

this may work for some but I often take half a glass and then you have to count for spillage and various other forms of waste. Oh yeah and don't forget that Santa is coming soon and he may take some without you even knowing

 

[IrregularPulse]

Also don't forget that's beer on tap and you may take some without knowing it as the night goes on

 

[wildwest450]

Also don't forget that's beer on tap and you may take some without knowing it as the night goes on

Yup, I tried this with my chalkboard above my taps. Next to the beer name I would put a slash for every beer, that lasted about 8 times. You'll get over it and learn to tell just by lifting the keg occasionally.

 

[Golddiggie]

How about using a simple scale under the keg? Weigh it empty (if it registers) and then when full, and write both down... That way you know when you're down to the final XX ounces of brew in the keg... Also lets you draw different glass sizes without worrying about how deep into the keg you are (a simple glance at the scale readout should give you an idea of how much is left)...

How about the level strips that you can usually find for propane tanks? Or would those not work in this case?

 

[beninan]

I put my hand against the side of the keg and leave it to see if it warms up a bit, then I move it down a bit and repeat. Once you get to the spot where your hand doesn't warm up quickly, that's where the level of beer is at.

 

[ksbrain]

I move the magnet a half a spot if I take a half a pour.

I can see this magnet moving nonsense getting old after a few months. Time will tell. But I really hate lifting the keg and kicking up sediment for the next several pours.

The scale thing wouldn't work for me. I'd need four scales, and I'm not sure how I'd even see the scales under the two kegs in the back row, if I'd even be able to fit any scales in there... Electronic scales with remote digital displays, maybe, but $$$$

I couldn't get the warm water, warm hand, or warm towel thing working for me. Might be partly because right now it's like 60 degrees in my basement where the keg fridge is, so my hand isn't exactly warm when I'm down there.

I think the propane tank level strip thing could work. I just don't have hot water handy down by my beer fridge, and again I wouldn't be able to check the level of the two kegs in the back row.

 

[cruckin78]

Would about like a site tube for a keggel? I dunno how that would stand up to pressure but it could be an idea

 

[wilceaser]

How about using a golf score keeper: http://http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_17?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=golf+score+keeper&sprefix=golf+score+keeper

One click per pint!

 

[beninan]

"How much is in that keg?"
"Lets drink it and find out!"
glug glug glug glug
"Huh, looks like it's empty!"

 

[certaut]

just have a spare, no scale no lifting no worries, just switch the disconnects and put the empty where it will remind you "it's time"

cheers
pete

 

[certaut]

just have a spare, no scale no lifting no worries, just switch the disconnects and put the empty where it will remind you "it's time"

cheers
pete

 

[ksbrain]

I'm just tired of blowing two kegs in one weekend, and only having one spare ready.

 

[Golddiggie]

I'm just tired of blowing two kegs in one weekend, and only having one spare ready.

Sounds like you either need to brew more often, brew bigger batches, and get some more kegs...

 

[ksbrain]

Yeah what I really need is another fridge and CO2 setup for getting kegs all ready for an open tap. I got a few sitting there in the basement, but they're not on CO2.

 

[rjwhite41]

If I'm really curious, I'll just lift it. If it kicks, I replace it.

 

[HoppedIPA]

I have decided that last week i am doing every other batch a 10 gal batch.. especially since i share about half my beer with an assistant.. I made him finally get his own carboy and keg setup at home so i dont have to fill growlers 3x's a week.. we will see first 10gal batch is still in primary..!

 

[brrman]

If I can lift the keg by the handle with my pinky finger it has about 3-5 pints left in it. Never fails.

 

[Bigscience]

I use these guys:

http://www.micromatic.com/part-pid-SS100.html

The issue is that they only work for the kegs in the front of the fridge and don't go all the way down. Cheap though.

 

[woodstone]

If I'm really curious, I'll just lift it. If it kicks, I replace it.

Yep. Just had 60 people over for a holiday party...signature cocktails, plenty of Prosecco with a Pom shot for the ladies, and two beers on tap...one kicked, everyone flocked to the other, then it kicked...switched to cans/bottles....feels good to "sell out" and see faces wanting more...

 

[hal2814]

I want a mountain climber like in The Price is Right who yodels and climbs up the mountain while the tap handle is pulled and falls off the cliff when I'm out:

 

[seanoj]

http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/144

 

[FSR402]

you could go with one of these.
http://www.keg-meter.com/

http://www.alcoholcontrols.com/drafbeercoun.html

I can't find the link right now but I did find one a few weeks ago that meters the how long the tap is open and if it's setup for your pressure and keg size it will tell you about how much is left in it. I know I saved the link at home, just don't have it here at work.