Kegging

[MichaelSterling]

I want to get started in kegging my home brew. Where can I get info on starting out. And what things do I need? Also is it better to get a keggarater or just build one my self? I only want two taps. And nothing really fancy just enough to get the job done.

 

[gungadin]

Here are a couple of good links to get you started:

http://morebeer.com/content/kegging-homebrew

http://www.byo.com/stories/article/indices/39-kegging/1483-tap-into-kegging

 

[dpittard]

I got most of my info from the Bottling/Kegging forum on this site.

 

[mojotele]

Here's a thread I started some time ago when I was getting into kegging. I got a lot of good info out of it, and I think you can too.

My conversion of the Frigidaire FRC445GM went very well, by the way. As far as I know it's still available in stores. I bought it at Lowe's. Here's a thread on converting it. There are a few others. Just do a search for the fridge. I have two taps on mine just like you want.

 

[BierMuncher]

Build your own. It's more rewarding. And cheaper.

 

[SoonerDoc]

I think this has been asked, but will the Frigidaire FRC445GM accept 2 pin locks or only ball locks?

 

[nebben]

My vote is to build your own. You can score a chest freezer for pretty low $$, find a simple plug-in temperature controller, and build a collar for a few bucks. Granted, you'll end up spending some money once you get a bunch of thanks, tailpieces and faucets, plus all the tubing and gas accessories, but you also can make it as flexible as you want.

Basic example:

• A chest freezer sourced from craigslist or equivalent online classified site for $75.
• A CO2 tank+primary regulator+keg combo from LHBS (your LHBS or online shops may vary) for approximately $270. This in itself when charged with CO2 will allow you to carbonate/serve draft beer.
• A temperature controller from LHBS, ebay, or online vendor: approximately $30.

That's about $375 to start, but you could do it cheaper if you scrounge parts. It will get more expensive as you add a whole fleet of stainless perlicks and multiple regulators. Remember that kegging is easy and as simple as you want it to be. It really only gets expensive when you add add add options.

 

[mojotele]

I think this has been asked, but will the Frigidaire FRC445GM accept 2 pin locks or only ball locks?

I'm not very familiar with pin locks, but are the connectors a lot larger or something?

There's a fair amount of headspace over the kegs, so unless it's a massive connector I don't see why it couldn't.

 

[SoonerDoc]

IIRC, pin locks are a bit wider and shorter. Width is the concern.

 

[mojotele]

Ohhh, the kegs themselves are a bit wider. I see. I assumed the kegs were the same dimensions which is a pretty bad assumption on my part.

Width-wise there is basically no extra room. It just barely fits two ball lock kegs. So, I'm guessing the answer is that it will not fit two pin lock kegs. I can measure the width of mine when I get home, though, and tell you for sure. A quick Google says that the diameter of a pin lock keg is 9" while a ball lock keg is 8.5".

 

[SoonerDoc]

Thanks for the info!