Need help with kegging

[DJL531]

I have decided to move into the kegging world. Here's my limitations so I'm asking what's the best route to take.

I live in a condo so I have no room for an extra anything. I do have a small office/dorm fridge that will hold a 2.5 gallon keg if it is not over 17" with hoses attached.
This is currently my beer fridge under my ammunition reloading table. Please don't give me grief about that, I am safe.

I am willing to drill through the side to feed CO2 and I'm considering a party tap that will just hang in the fridge instead of mounting a tap on the door.
Fridge has motor in the back bottom and the coils are all the way up top so I have the side clear for holes.

The Torpedo brand kegs will fit the height.
Using that limitation, flare or barb disconnects? Does it matter?
What regulator price I should expect?
Local homebrew place sells tanks and fills CO2, but their 2.5 gallon kegs are too tall for my fridge.
Can I fill a keg, carb it and let it sit until I drink the first keg? Any issue with that or cautions?
Do CO2 tanks have to stay upright? I assume so.

Other than looking online I have never seen a keg setup for homebrew.

Thanks

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, there are smaller cornelius style kegs available. Not cheap, of course - they never are
https://www.homebrewing.org/AIH-New-175-Gallon-Ball-Lock-Keg_p_7547.html
CO2 cylinder needs to remain upright. You could lay the keg on its side while not dispensing, I suppose...

Cheers!

 

[VikeMan]

Using that limitation, flare or barb disconnects? Does it matter?

Swivel nut flare connections are more convenient when it's time to tear down for a deep cleaning or to replace a beer line. But functionally, it doesn't matter.

What regulator price I should expect?

~$40 to over $100.

Local homebrew place sells tanks and fills CO2, but their 2.5 gallon kegs are too tall for my fridge.

Well, you can buy your CO2 cylinder and gas from the local homebrew place anyway.

Can I fill a keg, carb it and let it sit until I drink the first keg? Any issue with that or cautions?

Yes. But you'll need higher pressure to carbonate at higher temps. There are lots of charts on the web for this. Also, as with any beer, the warmer it sits, the faster it ages/stales.

Do CO2 tanks have to stay upright? I assume so.

You are correct.

 

[DJL531]

Thanks! I didn't realize a higher temp needed more pressure. Most of the bottled batches I have sit at room temp and get chilled 6-12 at a time. Usually they are empty in 4-6 weeks.

 

[madscientist451]

You dont have to drill your fridge. Just re connect the gas when you notice the beer slowing down. Akso, a real small chest freezer doesnt take up much room at all and they are pretty cheap as well. Refills on a 20 lb cylinder are way cheaper.

 

[VikeMan]

You dont have to drill your fridge. Just re connect the gas when you notice the beer slowing down.

With this method, the beer becomes less carbonated after each pour. Which I guess is fine, if you don't mind that.