noob to Kegging

[ajoha2003]

Hi Guy. I am starting to look in to force carbonation. Because waiting for the beer to carbonate and pasteurizing is not me thing.
I was thinking to buy something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00485L32W/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Would something like this be enough to start force carbonating and serving? Any advice of difference kit that I can buy. I am looking to spend in the 200 dollar area. Thanks for help.

 

[WhiteEagle1]

That should work.

 

[RC0032]

Do you have a fridge? If you shop it around you can probably do better on price but you need to make all of the purchases individually.

Also 1 keg wont be enough

 

[ajoha2003]

I have refrigerator that the best that I can do for now. Was thinking to build keegerator in the future but for now I planning only to carbonate in the keg and put in bottles for storage. I am worried that the co2 tank is too small? Should have no major issue with 5 lbs tank? Me local store quoted me $230 ( I think it was for 10 lbs tank) to get a basic setup for keeging so $183 didn’t sound too bad for me.

 

[RC0032]

WHAT? I got a 10lb steal tank (used but with a good/ 4y hydro for ~$70...filled) My place charges $20 to fill a 5,10,15, 20lb tank.

You dont NEED an aluminum tank. Hell Austin sells 5lb aluminum tanks for $83. http://www.austinhomebrew.com/index.php?cPath=178_40_271_275_273

Why keg then put it in bottles? use a cobra tap and just serve it from the keg.

Shopping around between Kegworks.com and Austin you can do it cheaper IMO. Again the hardest part if finding used kegs.

Used Kegs:
www.homebrewing.org/Set-of-Four-5-Gallon-Ball-Lock-Kegs-NO-PRV_p_1549.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-gallon-ba...347?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c29a3fd43


Here is the setup you are looking at for cheaper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kegco-One-K...294?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53eee5f46e

My point is if you want to do it on the cheap you can but it takes time to shop everything.

 

[ajoha2003]

Can't keep it in the refrigerator for ever. My roommates would kill me if did that Addition to that I usually take the beer to other people to six or 12 packs. So that why I was thinking to bottle. But I would see who it going to work out. The cheapest that I found the kegs in me local brew store I am not sure if it was a pin or ball lock was $45

 

[RC0032]

Its still going to take 48+hrs in the fridge to force carb and thats not ideal.

IMO stick to bottling until you can get a proper setup. Make more beer so pipeline isnt an issue.

 

[cravej]

Because waiting for the beer to carbonate and pasteurizing is not me thing.

Carbonating in the keg isn't instantaneous. Sure you can shake it and force carbonation in, but it will be far from predictable. If you don't have the fridge space for the whole thing, I think you are better off carbonating in the bottle.

 

[ajoha2003]

From what i have seen on the forum that week should fin to get carbonated? I should be able to keep the setup for that time... I have to negotiate with the roommates the terms of that. Currently i am keeping in 6.5 gallon better bottle in the refrigerator so i would joust remove it and keep the keg in there. Wore case scenario i am going to get a freezer in costco

 

[RC0032]

2 weeks IMO.

A freezer would change everything

 

[wilserbrewer]

Look hard for a free or cheap fridge / freezer. Trying to carb a keg and move all the beer into bottles sounds like a major hassle and a bad idea IMHO.