Jumping to Kegging, which Kegs to buy.

[Justintoxicated]

Still purchasing my equipment, just picked up a temp controller and I'm going freezer shopping this weekend. It's way to hot at my place in the summer to just leave in garage to ferment.

After watching some videos I think I want to skip bottling and jump right into kegging. I have a 15lb CO2 tank I can take off my fish tank, and a regulator already so that will help to reduce cost.

However, I'm wondering whether to buy some used kegs or go with some nice new AEB kegs. I'll probably just get one to start with, but I'm sure a second will be right around the corner if I am successful. I think I will be right around $700 start up mark including the new freezer...

Used Kegs are cheaper, but I'm not sure I want to start out with questionable equipment?

 

[iambeer]

I'd rather buy a used fridge for very cheap rather than a used keg, especially since I don't know anything about the keg parts. I've been curious about getting a keg setup but I want to graduate from a year of bottle conditioning school first. If I had a CO2 tank and regulator though, and a hot garage, I would be more interested.

 

[bigbeergeek]

Buy reconditioned kegs from morebeer. They're cheap, guaranteed to hold pressure, and if your order is over ~$59 shipping is free. New kegs are waaaaay too expensive. Do yourself a favor: get at least 2-3 kegs. You'll thank me later.

 

[user 84304]

Still purchasing my equipment, just picked up a temp controller and I'm going freezer shopping this weekend. It's way to hot at my place in the summer to just leave in garage to ferment.

After watching some videos I think I want to skip bottling and jump right into kegging. I have a 15lb CO2 tank I can take off my fish tank, and a regulator already so that will help to reduce cost.

However, I'm wondering whether to buy some used kegs or go with some nice new AEB kegs. I'll probably just get one to start with, but I'm sure a second will be right around the corner if I am successful. I think I will be right around $700 start up mark including the new freezer...

Used Kegs are cheaper, but I'm not sure I want to start out with questionable equipment?

I haven't had really any bad experiences with used kegs. Some require a good scrub down, all of them usually need new o-rings, but at the end of the day, they're functioning juuuust fine. With that said, if you want to put in the capital, new kegs are great too. For me, it's not worth the extra money for it.

Keg Connection has a pretty good selection of new and used kegs. Check them out.
http://stores.kegconnection.com/Categories.bok?category=*Homebrew+Kegs

 

[DubBrew]

Get used kegs from any of the reputable online homebrew stores. They are tested and will work just fine.

I have seven with no issues.

 

[PA49erFan21]

I jumped right into kegging myself. Obviously like you, I do not want to have to do all the extra work of bottling. Kegging is by far better! Need to take some with you somewhere, grab a growler. Anyways, I bought my 2 used reconditioned kegs from Cornykeg.com and have not been disappointed. Sure if you have the extra money, why not get new? But it seems to be a waste of money to me. If you go with 2 or more kegs though, be sure to get a dual or (multiple) regulator for your CO2 tank.

 

[Justintoxicated]

Those Keg Connection ones are very reasonably priced since they come with extra O-rings. I'll probably just start with 2 and a single regulator, can always add a dual connector or manifold later. I haven't brewed any beer before so my setup will probably start out as a just a tube and tap running off the keg that you have to open the chest to get to. Then I will build up from there later.

 

[DubBrew]

Those Keg Connection ones are very reasonably priced since they come with extra O-rings. I'll probably just start with 2 and a single regulator, can always add a dual connector or manifold later. I haven't brewed any beer before so my setup will probably start out as a just a tube and tap running off the keg that you have to open the chest to get to. Then I will build up from there later.

You can go with the single and add a manifold but you won't be able to carbonate different beers at different carbonation levels, they would all have to be the same.

 

[JonathanG]

Susbcribed. I'm getting ready to start kegging myself, so i am on the lookout for these types of threads. From the limited research I've done, I'll be going with used kegs, and getting at least 3-to start with. I think it was good to bottle my first couple of batches to gain the experience, but I'm looking forward to legging.

I have a second fridge ready to go, and will likely be getting a chest freezer sometime in the next 6-months and converting it to a keezer, then using the fridge as a fermentation chamber. Because of this, I'm simply going to use the picnic tap for a while so as not to drill holes in the fridge, only to have to go back and plug them later.

Maybe I'll start brewing lagers until I build a keezer, and keep everything at the same temperature in the fridge.

 

[david_42]

I've got 13 cornies purchased from four sources over the span of ten years. All used, some reconditioned, some not. The only issue I've had was a weak pressure relief valve on one. And even then it only popped when I hit the keg with 30 psi to seat the lid. I might, someday, buy a new 2 or 3 gallon keg, but only because they are rare.

 

[chickypad]

Another vote for going with used kegs (I've got 9 used and only one new because I couldn't find a used 2.5 gallon keg). Most of the reputable sellers will guarantee them to hold pressure. O-rings, relief valves, and poppets occasionally need to be replaced but I think that would be true eventually with new kegs as well. Just be sure to pick either ball or pin lock then go with that for all your kegs so you can swap parts and fittings.

 

[Slyko]

I started with 2 kegs, lines, perlicks, etc. Then bought 2 more from somebody else. Thought it was all the same............. but not. Sure they work, but they're all different. Make sure you get the same stuff.

 

[roadymi]

As soon as you dump your first batch in......they are used forever more. New ones are shiny and sexy, but a used keg with new seals occasionally will last a lifetime with minimal care.
I have 8 from several vendors........could use a few more.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Are the 5 gallon corny kegs the best to use? What mini fridge works where I can store two kegs in?

 

[kapbrew13]

You can go with the single and add a manifold but you won't be able to carbonate different beers at different carbonation levels, they would all have to be the same.

Not true. Buy a secondary regulator. Which allows different pressures.

http://stores.kegconnection.com/Detail.bok?no=475

 

[wolfstar]

I picked up the two keg setup from kegconnection.com to start with...I can not complain, i the setup has worked flawlessly. Also, I converted my old kitchen frige to a kegerator, giving me an excuse to by a new fridge to keep SWMBO happy

 

[chickypad]

Not true. Buy a secondary regulator. Which allows different pressures.

What's not true? He clearly said a single regulator with manifold, which allows a single pressure at at time but multiple kegs.

 

[Justintoxicated]

Well I didn't order a manifold just yet... Too many other things to buy and the cost is adding up quick.

Is amazon a decent place to get 5/16th gas line and 3/16th beer line? how much should I get 12 feet of each? Going freezer shopping today at costco. I hope they have a 7.2 model.

 

[JonathanG]

Going freezer shopping today at costco. I hope they have a 7.2 model.

Our local Costco has a 7.1 Haier regularly priced at $174.99. Home Depot still has the 7.0 GE on sale right now for $178.00 online, then you could get free shipping too. Or they may have the same model in your local store?

 

[Justintoxicated]

Our local Costco has a 7.1 Haier regularly priced at $174.99. Home Depot still has the 7.0 GE on sale right now for $178.00 online, then you could get free shipping too. Or they may have the same model in your local store?

Yep, picked up the last 7.1 Haier at costco yesterday.

Now if only I could figure out how to properly setup the temp controller.