[Not a] Bike Pump Keg [Evolution]

[the_bird]

If you're buying the tank, regulator, and tap, you're saving the cost of a keg ($20). The "meth lab" prototype looked to be taking up as much space in a fridge as a kegging setup. Used fridges are cheap, anyway - and using coke bottles or whatever, you're not fitting that in the house's main fridge and not pissing off the wife! 99 wives out of 100 are telling you - GET YOUR OWN DAMN FRIDGE FOR THAT BEER GEAR!

So what cost are you REALLY saving? As far as I can see - you're "saving" the cost of the keg, which is almost negligible as far as I'm concerned.

 

[JesseRC]

I've got a prototype sitting at 25psi right now. No special glues/epoxies or expensive gadgets required. I don't see or hear any leaks, I'll be doing an underwater test in a bit to be sure. If it holds psi I'll post the build plans. Total cost for this one was about $1, plus the tools required to build it, and the co2 tank, regulator, and tap.

please post a pic , I cant wait to see it.

 

[pizzaman]

I've ditched the clusterKeg idea, due to the problems pointed out by bnscherm. Basically it would be impossible to have more than one keg hooked up to a single tap in parallel without the co2 displacing the beer once one of the bottles became empty. I'm just perfecting the cheapest possible 38mm cap tap which, as I've pointed out before, is the same cap size for 2 liter, 3 liter, and 6 liter pet bottles. Once testing is complete I'll post pics and a build tutorial in a new thread, with a proper thread title...bike pump keg has completely lost its meaning.

 

[pizzaman]

Had a minor setback today(again) trying to purchase hose clamps at lowes; they were out of the size I needed. The guy helping me recommended I go to an auto parts store to get it, unfortunately I had to go to work so first thing tomorrow I'll be heading to autozone to get the clamps, then I'll hook everything up and start official pressure testing.

 

[dontman]

If you're buying the tank, regulator, and tap, you're saving the cost of a keg ($20). The "meth lab" prototype looked to be taking up as much space in a fridge as a kegging setup. Used fridges are cheap, anyway - and using coke bottles or whatever, you're not fitting that in the house's main fridge and not pissing off the wife! 99 wives out of 100 are telling you - GET YOUR OWN DAMN FRIDGE FOR THAT BEER GEAR!

So what cost are you REALLY saving? As far as I can see - you're "saving" the cost of the keg, which is almost negligible as far as I'm concerned.

I buy my kegs for $15. So yes, negligible. And my wife did kick me out of the fridge.

I've got a prototype sitting at 25psi right now. No special glues/epoxies or expensive gadgets required. I don't see or hear any leaks, I'll be doing an underwater test in a bit to be sure. If it holds psi I'll post the build plans. Total cost for this one was about $1, plus the tools required to build it, and the co2 tank, regulator, and tap.

I brewed my first batch of beer for less than a buck. Except for the carboys and tubing and other stuff and ingredients I needed to buy for it. So kudos to you for following the same route that I did when I invented a way to brew my own beer at home. I didn't need any epoxies either. I thought I did. I insisted on it in fact but everyone kept telling me otherwise. In the end I sure proved them right.

 

[JesseRC]

Had a minor setback today(again) trying to purchase hose clamps at lowes; they were out of the size I needed. The guy helping me recommended I go to an auto parts store to get it, unfortunately I had to go to work so first thing tomorrow I'll be heading to autozone to get the clamps, then I'll hook everything up and start official pressure testing.

Yeah it's weird, a few years ago I remember being able to find all kinds of sizes for hose clamps. Now it's damn near impossible to find small worm clamps that are all stainless. I've tried lowes, home depot, autozone, harbor freight, and Pep Boys. I finally went with Oetiker clamps from Keg Connection. The variations of oetiker type clamps and crimping tools from lowes are ridiculously expensive.

 

[pizzaman]

Where oh where is everyone finding kegs for $10? The cheapest price I've seen on craig is $35 for used 5gal cornies. Obviously I've seen them at online stores for $10, but you can't honestly say its "only $10" when you have to pay $20+ for shipping....

The first thing I brewed only cost me $1 also dontman. I poured a can of grape juice concentrate into a used, cleaned out gallon milk jug, dumped in some sugar, water, and bread yeast, and used a condom with a hole in it for an airlock. 3 weeks later I had something resembling cheap table wine and a new hobby/addiction. Just goes to show you condoms with holes in them aren't all bad.

 

[Schlenkerla]

Where oh where is everyone finding kegs for $10? The cheapest price I've seen on craig is $35 for used 5gal cornies. Obviously I've seen them at online stores for $10, but you can't honestly say its "only $10" when you have to pay $20+ for shipping....

$35 is the going price w/o any haggling or discount shopping.

I got mine from a local business selling them for 15. You can shop around. You might try joining a group. From your area. Post a message in each of these groups asking about deals on kegs.

HomeBrewTalk Groups - Texas Pride

HomeBrewTalk Groups - East Texas Homebrewers

HomeBrewTalk Groups - Houston Brewers
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Mini- kegs

Mini Keg Parts :: Midwest Supplies Homebrewing and Winemaking Supplies
​

I suggest going with insco2 too.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f16/cornelius-kegs-sale-46176/

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f16/loose-end-cornies-15-a-92430/​

 

[pizzaman]

I see......

 

[Schlenkerla]

Only suckers pay $35.

 

[The Pol]

Insco2 sells kegs here on HBT for like 17 or 18 bucks... I bought from him, as have about 100 other members. $35 for a kegs is robbery, it is easy to find them for much less.

 

[BrewingBetterBeer]

I'm going to need to get a kegging setup going soon!

Starting to have to many batches running at once!

 

[Domminigan]

But is it safe? I think that has been the main crux of this.

The cost of kegging is not all that expensive. A Regulator, a few Kegs, and a party tap. Not much dough.

One doesn't need a 4 tap kegerator when just starting out. A few kegs can fit in a spare fridge with the regulator & party tap.

The current idea of the epoxy/plastic idea really isn't safe, no. Fairly well all who have weighed in on this idea with reasonable comments have agreed on this point. That is the reason that I stated that some future incarnation of the idea could be a safe, economical, temporary solution to a financial issue... at least that's what I should have said if I didn't.

Kegging isn't that expensive to many of us, but some people are in a situation where even the minor cost of a hundred and fifty bucks for a fully setup fridge with a tap is a bit too much without saving for it first. Currently, they will simply have to make do without. That's not such a bad thing at all, as it makes that first keg that much sweeter.

All I'm saying is keep trying, make it safer, avoid loss of extremities, and a future idea might just pan out. Oh, and don't use glue on the outside of anything to hold a pressurized fitting. I don't want to be picking fingers off my windshield in Kansas.

 

[Schlenkerla]

The current idea of the epoxy/plastic idea really isn't safe,...

... All I'm saying is keep trying, make it safer, avoid loss of extremities, and a future idea might just pan out. Oh, and don't use glue on the outside of anything to hold a pressurized fitting. I don't want to be picking fingers off my windshield in Kansas.

I knew what you meant. I too like seeing cheap, safe and innovative ideas. I was just emphasizing those points. I think you could get away not having a dedicated beer fridge with 5L kegs.

 

[pizzaman]

For anyone who missed my other posts....I'm not using glue/epoxy/cement/anything of the sort. I've tried every hardware and auto parts store in my area and haven't found a hose clamp to fit the 1/8 vinyl tubing...my last resort will be a plumber supply shop down the road. Still just waiting on the clamps before I can do any testing....

 

[TwoHeadsBrewing]

So, did anyone blow up their carboy yet???

I figure it's going to happen sooner or later...and when it does, I want to see some pics of the carnage!

 

[pizzaman]

Insco2 sells kegs here on HBT for like 17 or 18 bucks... I bought from him, as have about 100 other members. $35 for a kegs is robbery, it is easy to find them for much less.

According to insco2 on his thread here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f16/cornelius-kegs-sale-46176/ He is selling them for $17.50 each, plus shipping, plus you have to buy 4 at a time. So I would have to spend $100 to start out with, and that doesn't include the regulators or co2 tank...I'm sure this is a great deal for all you rich folk out there, but it's not very tempting at all for us lowely college students.

I'm still searching for small enough hose clamps in my off time...been busy with school and work..

 

[flylock_jac]

Look into the thread where someone converted a garden sprayer into a keg.
You've already bought most the parts and you can buy a new sprayer( 2-3 gallon ) for about 20.00 buck dollars. Then install your tire valve and a cheap tap and your good to go.
It's already been done ,so it's a proven system.

 

[Schlenkerla]

According to insco2 on his thread here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f16/cornelius-kegs-sale-46176/ He is selling them for $17.50 each, plus shipping, plus you have to buy 4 at a time. So I would have to spend $100 to start out with, and that doesn't include the regulators or co2 tank...I'm sure this is a great deal for all you rich folk out there, but it's not very tempting at all for us lowely college students.

I'm still searching for small enough hose clamps in my off time...been busy with school and work..

Too some degree I see your point, you prolly don't have space for 20 gallons of beer. I'd consider saving cash & bottle. I didn't take you for student.

A summer job will easily pay for 4 kegs and a regulator/party tap/gas line. Stay in for a weekend or two don't blow extra cash on BS you don't need. You'll be glad you did.

I bought this stuff while unemployed with a kid. I'm not rich, just a bit frugal right now.

Look into the thread where someone converted a garden sprayer into a keg.
You've already bought most the parts and you can buy a new sprayer( 2-3 gallon ) for about 20.00 buck dollars. Then install your tire valve and a cheap tap and your good to go.
It's already been done ,so it's a proven system.

This is an option, but I'd go with the mini-kegs before shelling out cash for a weed sprayer.

I have a bit of pride myself. I don't relish sharing a beer with a friend tapping a beer out of an Ortho bottle. Even if I know its not been used with Ortho, others will think WTF. Now if you were living West VA it might be different!!

 

[Bobby_M]

I cleaned out a guy's garage of about 25 kegs for $5 each. It's a shame that the people that need to find them cheap rarely do. Keep scouring CL and call every beverage distributor you can find in the phone book.

 

[flyangler18]

The 5L kegs are such a brilliant solution to you. Convenient size (1.3 gallons) so easy to drain, reusable (buy good beer in mini-keg, disassemble and sanitize, rack and prime, dispense via gravity tap). While I haven't been using them long nor as my sole dispensing option, there are a couple members here who have been using them for a LONG time. I use mine to do cask-conditioned real ale (gently carbonated). If one goes south, I buy another 5L keg from my distributor, invite a friend over to quaff with me, and I've got another one in the rotation.

Consider it. Seriously.

You're bound to find some cornies if you look hard enough at a price you can afford. Just takes patience and some investigative skill.

Good luck!

 

[bnscherm]

For anyone who missed my other posts....I'm not using glue/epoxy/cement/anything of the sort. I've tried every hardware and auto parts store in my area and haven't found a hose clamp to fit the 1/8 vinyl tubing...my last resort will be a plumber supply shop down the road. Still just waiting on the clamps before I can do any testing....

I think 1/8" hose is too small for hose clamps, you need oetiker clamps (expensive). I think your best bet is to use some zip-ties if you're using soft vinyl hose.

 

[pizzaman]

The 5L kegs are such a brilliant solution to you. Convenient size (1.3 gallons) so easy to drain, reusable (buy good beer in mini-keg, disassemble and sanitize, rack and prime, dispense via gravity tap). While I haven't been using them long nor as my sole dispensing option, there are a couple members here who have been using them for a LONG time. I use mine to do cask-conditioned real ale (gently carbonated). If one goes south, I buy another 5L keg from my distributor, invite a friend over to quaff with me, and I've got another one in the rotation.

Consider it. Seriously.

You're bound to find some cornies if you look hard enough at a price you can afford. Just takes patience and some investigative skill.

Good luck!

After some careful consideration, I'm gonna go with the 5L mini-keg solution. I'm sure I'll keep tinkering with my other ideas, but my school schedule is now taking up too much of my time to make any real headway...

I'll be shopping for some beer tomorrow, hopefully be able to find some in a 5L that I can reuse. I'm assuming the bottom-tapped gravity fed mini-kegs are what I want to go with...also assuming that as long as I keep it pressurized with co2 oxygenation won't be a problem and the beer won't go flat.

[EDIT]And of course, as soon as I accepted this, I find this page: http://www.beveragesystem.com/ [/EDIT]

 

[JesseRC]

Well I'm just glad you've finally come around and didn't blow yourself up. Doesnt it feel good to assimilate!

 

[pizzaman]

[CHANT]One of us, One of us...[/CHANT]

 

[the_bird]

So, who won the pool?

 

[flyangler18]

I'm assuming the bottom-tapped gravity fed mini-kegs are what I want to go with...also assuming that as long as I keep it pressurized with co2 oxygenation won't be a problem and the beer won't go flat.

Well...not really. If you are using the gravity-tap, oxygen will be introduced so the beer will slowly oxidize - but we're talking 1.3 gallons and that beer should be well and gone before you'd even taste a touch of oxidation.

There are also 5L kegs sans gravity tap that you can use a small CO2 setup to push the beer. These kegs aren't designed to take inordinate amounts of pressure as in force-carbing, so you'll prime with sugar as in bottling.

 

[pizzaman]

Well...not really. If you are using the gravity-tap, oxygen will be introduced so the beer will slowly oxidize - but we're talking 1.3 gallons and that beer should be well and gone before you'd even taste a touch of oxidation.

How is air going to get into a gravity fed tap? I understand this would happen if there were no co2 involved in the system, as air would enter through the tap to take up the space left by the evacuating beer...but if pressurized co2 is literally forcing the beer down then there would be no space left for air to fill right? I do agree that once I tap a gallon of beer it would be gone within a couple of hours, but I would like to have the option to stop drinking and keep the remainder fresh.

 

[flyangler18]

How is air going to get into a gravity fed tap?

There's a vent that needs to be opened on top for the tap to dispense freely. You know how tough it is to pour a glass of milk from a freshly opened gallon? Same principle.

The other option is something like this. Same 5L mini-kegs (sans gravity tap), but uses a small CO2 system to push.

 

[JesseRC]

Pizzaman, can you confirm. What will you be using for dispensing beer from them. I know you said you would be looking to buy the kegs with the bottom tap on them, but I dont see where u said you would use it that way.