Options on small batch kegging and your success or fails

[shoreman]

So my second freezer (first one was free) just crapped out and I'm not really interested in building another keezer. This one lasted 2 years and I bought brand new from sears - these things are just not made to last anymore.

I've been brewing small batch and session beers alot lately and have bottled a couple of my belgian petite saisons for carbonation sake. I don't mind bottling 2-3 gallon batches here and there but wondering what you guys are using for small batch kegging.

I have one torpedo keg 2.5 gallon that I was thinking about hooking a ball lock co2 injector to and priming the keg.

I could also just serve draft in the winter (northeast) via a cobra tap and keep my 5lb co2 as my garage/basement stays at a constant temp.

I've also been thinking about the 5L mini kegs at Adventures in Homebrewing and priming them and serving more like a cask beer for english ales.

Then there is bottling which I don't mind but it is tedious when you are brewing alot.

Any other ideas that you guys might have for small batches? Thanks.

 

[BBBF]

I use 3 gallon ball lock cornies and the ManCan style growlers with ball lock lids.

 

[shoreman]

I use 3 gallon ball lock cornies and the ManCan style growlers with ball lock lids.

Cool, what’s your process? Do you have those in a fridge? Are you priming? Etc

 

[BBBF]

I use them for beer (co2), coffee and wine (nitrogen). The beer is in a kegerator and is forced carb'd. Priming would be a pain because with a small keg, the first couple pours would be all yeast and it takes a big on your final volume. With the 3's, I either brew 6 gallon (2 kegs) or 8 gallon (1 5gal & 1 3gal) batches. The 1 gallon kegs are usually filled off an already carb'd keg to take someplace or just to free up an larger keg.

 

[Bubbles2]

Sears /Kenmore sucks. I just threw out a 4k fridge after 30 months, not before being served a 300 bill at 24 months for warranty.
Stay away from LG their compressors are known junk and they still sell them. You will find them in Kenmore / Sears since LG makes them. I am happy with Panasonic or China.
Hairer is a good fridge. I am happy thus far. Reasonable priced.
I got one of these used.... I like it cause it holds 3 Firestones and the Co2, put castors on it and the freezer holds the glasses.
I did add a fan to pull freezer air into the fridge section and I find it energy efficient because of it.

https://www.haierappliances.com/appliance/specs/ha10tg21sb

Bottling is indeed a pain BUT I like it for specialties, It is nice to have them parked and nurse em here and there.
Couple thoughts, not sure if you brew 5 or 8 gal batches.... so...
By far kegging is much easier and quicker if you are going through 3 gallons a month.

 

[moreb33rplz]

I brew 2.5 gallon batches and keg using 2.5 gallon kegs with a 5# tank.

I also use a 5 gallon keg to ferment/serve from. I really like this setup. The first pint or two needs to be poured off b/c its trub, and I don't dry hop with this setup, but it's super convenient and is the easiest way to avoid oxygen ever. No fancy equipment, no transfers, no spunding. I guess I do end up using a little bit more co2 from my tank but meh.

 

[shoreman]

I brew 2.5 gallon batches and keg using 2.5 gallon kegs with a 5# tank.

I also use a 5 gallon keg to ferment/serve from. I really like this setup. The first pint or two needs to be poured off b/c its trub, and I don't dry hop with this setup, but it's super convenient and is the easiest way to avoid oxygen ever. No fancy equipment, no transfers, no spunding. I guess I do end up using a little bit more co2 from my tank but meh.

Do you have this setup in a fridge or how are you cooling?

 

[shoreman]

Bottling is indeed a pain BUT I like it for specialties, It is nice to have them parked and nurse em here and there.
Couple thoughts, not sure if you brew 5 or 8 gal batches.... so...
By far kegging is much easier and quicker if you are going through 3 gallons a month.

I have three 5 gallon kegs and one 2.5 gallon, but lately I've just been brewing 2-3 gallon batches stovetop.

I'm mainly looking to not build another keg setup especially a keezer and looking for alternatives. I'll probably just sell the entire kegging setup, but keep the 2.5 gallon keg and possibly the 5lb co2 or just buy a ball lock and go with c02 cartridges.

Simplify is where I'm at in this point of my homebrewing.

 

[Bubbles2]

I have three 5 gallon kegs and one 2.5 gallon, but lately I've just been brewing 2-3 gallon batches stovetop.

I'm mainly looking to not build another keg setup especially a keezer and looking for alternatives. I'll probably just sell the entire kegging setup, but keep the 2.5 gallon keg and possibly the 5lb co2 or just buy a ball lock and go with c02 cartridges.

Simplify is where I'm at in this point of my homebrewing.

1 gallon is 1 Twelve Pack. Pretty easy bottling at that point. Economical and last longest. FWIW
EDIT. P.S I too like simple, hence DME for a base.