Need a second opinion: kegging advice

[Beernik]

Things are finally getting settled since my move. Part of the deal with my wife on this move was that I could switch from bottling to kegging. So I started putting some rough numbers to it. The options I'm looking at are the Edgestar mini-kegarator or 3 gallon kegs. The costs are roughly:

Mini-keg
1. Edgestar mini- Kegarator - $75
2. Conversion kit - $69
3. 4 x 5L Mini kegs - $46
4. 4 X Bungs - $24
5. Extra CO2 cartridges - $18
Total - $232

3 gallon kegging:
1. 3 gallon keg system (keg, empty CO2 tank, regulator, beer lines, and picnic tap included) - $270
2. Additional 3 gallon keg - $88
3. Fill 5lb CO2 tank - $35
Total - $393

The reason the CO2 fill cost is estimated so high is I'm including a $25 ferry trip to the mainland in it. Whereas I can have the CO2 cartridges shipped to me.

Other factors in the mix: I want enough to be able to brew 5 gallon batches. I have to capacity to brew 10 gallons at a time, but I can only ferment 5 gallons at a time.

I have a minifridge that, unfortunately, is 2" shy of fitting a standard 5 gallon keg.

I am also not the quickest of beer drinkers. 5 gallons of beer can last me a month or two.

I'm thinking the 3 gallon keg route is the best for me to go despite the extra $160. The mini keg solution feels like half-assing it and I'd be worried about CO2 leaking before I get through all the mini-kegs. The 3 gallon route is scalable for when I can get a freezer and go back to 10 gallon brewing.

Any other pitfalls I should be worried about or things I've missed?

 

[ChelisHubby]

I would do the 3 gallon system. I think in the future it would have move versatility.

 

[eluterio]

All looks good and I would also be concerned if the CO2 would leak with the mini keg version.

Or buy a fridge for the wife, make her happy, use the old one as both a fermenting chamber and get several 5 gallon kegs. Win win I say!

 

[Paps]

Consider how long it would take to build a set up.
(trips to town for a part you didn't think you needed/labour hours/how much it pizzes off the wife}

 

[Jawbox0]

I'd certainly go 3 gallon if you can swing it.

If you have to go to the mainland for every fill, I'd suggest getting two larger tanks. It's a bummer to be out of gas.

I'd also try to get an extra keg or two. You can always seal a batch up with CO2, prime it, then let it cask condition at room temperature.

 

[dmcman73]

I agree, go with the 3 gallon setup. That way if you want to move up to the 5 gallon setup, or even add a 5 gallon keg to the setup, all the parts will fit with no adapters.

 

[mongoose33]

Perhaps a different mini fridge? You're making your choices based entirely on the fridge; what if you had a slightly larger one? Would that change the way you look at the problem?

One thing that I've learned--the hard way--is that short-term convenience is often long-term fiscal foolishness. Perhaps if you invested in a slightly larger mini fridge, you'd find that choices allowing for 5-gallon kegs make more sense.

For instance you can get a 5-gallon torpedo keg delivered to you from MoreBeer for $89. Pretty good deal on a good keg. I have a couple of the 5-gallon torpedos and one of the small ones.

In the short run that may cost you a bit more (sell the old mini fridge), but in the long run may offer you signficantly more flexibility.

My 2 cents. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

 

[Beernik]

Living space is the primary driver. We moved from a 2000 sf house with 200 sf cellar and 2 car garage plus my wife's 500sf art shop into a 1000 sf condo with no garages, storage, or shop. I sold, gave away, and trashed as much as I could to fit us into this 1000 sf condo and we couldn't fully unload the UHaul. A bunch of it went straight to storage.

The mini-fridge is outside because it doesn't fit well into the condo. A bigger fridge means a bigger fridge on the deck and I don't want to draw unnecessary attention to the outdoor beer fridge.

We are looking at a couple other rentals. Two are houses, a little bigger. The third is a big mixed use commercial space with an apartment. We might even make an offer to buy that one if the price is reasonable. If we moved to any of those, then a larger fridge or small chest freezer might be in the cards.

 

[eluterio]

So, looking at the edge mini keg I would opt for the 3 gallon system if you have the room. I would also consider getting 3 gallon carboys im sure they will fit or if you measure your fridge look at the maga mouth or other plastic carboys, judge buckets on the market. You might be able to get those 2 inches so back by getting a wider fermentation vessel. Good luck and hope you find a place that you can have a garage for your brewery!

 

[Beernik]

Fermenting in a 6 or 7 gallon bucket in it isn't a problem with a blowoff tube. Buckets are 20" tall, kegs are 24" tall. The fridge's interior is 22" tall.

This was my original ferm chamber before I acquired an upright freezer and could do 10 gallons at a time.

Unfortunately, the freezer was one of the giveaways.

I just need to tilt the mini-fridge's freezer plate against the back wall and mount the circulation fan.

 

[eluterio]

Fermenting in a 6 or 7 gallon bucket in it isn't a problem with a blowoff tube. Buckets are 20" tall, kegs are 24" tall. The fridge's interior is 22" tall.

Thinking a bit out of the box, does the blow off tube need to be on top? Im just thinking get a hole drilled on the side near the top and use a spigot and attach the blow off up there? Im thinking as long as the co2 and yeast needs to escape somewhere why not the side? If it doesn't work easy fix get another 10 dollar bucket or close the spigot. Just trying to help out a fellow home brewer!

 

[eluterio]

oh another thought get a tube big enough to fit in the hole on top of the bucket and jam it in there, that might work?

 

[Beernik]

As I said, fermenting 5 gallons in this fridge isn't a problem. Fitting a 5 gallon keg in this fridge is the problem.

 

[eluterio]

As I said, fermenting 5 gallons in this fridge isn't a problem. Fitting a 5 gallon keg in this fridge is the problem.

haha sorry read it incorrectly I see!

 

[mike_23us]

Vote for the 3 gallon set up since you could easily go 5 gallon kegs if you wanted.