Moving Beer from one keg to aonther

[FooFan]

Hi All,
Got a question. I have a full size kegerator and a cooler that I have converted in a smaller kegerator. I am going on vacation next month (gonna take the cooler) and need to transfer beer from my larger kegs (5 gallon) to the smaller (2.5 gallon). I know the correct way to go about this is to use the beer lines and push beer from one keg to the other with C02. I am not set-up to do that. So here comes the question... Anyone see a huge problem with setting one keg on the counter and use the ole' auto siphon to move beer from one keg to the other?

Thanks

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

Other than losing CO2 and exposing the beer to oxygen? No problems. Just make sure you purge your empty keg with CO2 first.

 

[JetSmooth]

Why can't you build a jumper setup? You've got a month. All you need is a hose with a liquid disconnect on each side.

 

[heferly]

Why can't you build a jumper setup? You've got a month. All you need is a hose with a liquid disconnect on each side.

that's all it takes...you're definitely going to lose carbonation, and foam the crap out of your beer

5-10 bucks, and you have your solution

 

[runningweird]

Well there is the oxidation issue but if the beer is going to be quickly consumed you may not notice it too much.

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

that's all it takes...you're definitely going to lose carbonation, and foam the crap out of your beer

5-10 bucks, and you have your solution

There shouldn't be a whole lot of foam with a jumper. If you purge the new keg with CO2 and you have a tight seal on everything, you should be fine. Use a long jumper and set the pressure really low. Vent the new keg every 20-30 seconds to let extra pressure out...

I've only used a jumper once, so I could be wrong. I never had a problem though.

 

[heferly]

sorry for confusion...i meant there would likely be foam and carb issues with siphoning! i fully endorse jumpers

 

[Mpavlik22]

sorry for confusion...i meant there would likely be foam and carb issues with siphoning! i fully endorse jumpers

I agree. Where siphoning will work. Using jumpers are cheap and would be much easier.

 

[wolfman_48442]

You can still siphon. Just siphon onto the target beer port, so it fills from the bottom up. Minimal oxidation.

 

[shortyjacobs]

Have any of you guys ever siphoned carbonated beer? I tried it once, complete disaster. The CO2 was coming out of solution in the siphon tube as it moved, creating bubbles, breaking the siphon. I had to resort to PUMPING the whole mess over with my autosiphon, until that clogged, at which point I had to pour it from one keg to the other.

*shudder*, never again.

 

[joeybeer]

Have any of you guys ever siphoned carbonated beer? I tried it once, complete disaster. The CO2 was coming out of solution in the siphon tube as it moved, creating bubbles, breaking the siphon. I had to resort to PUMPING the whole mess over with my autosiphon, until that clogged, at which point I had to pour it from one keg to the other.

*shudder*, never again.

Same here wanted to travel with a keg and didn't want to stir up the sediment, I waited until the last minute and had exactly the experience described above... I'll be testing out jumpers next time for sure !