Do this. EVA barrier tubing. Don't settle for Home Depot tubing.Ditch the old beer line, and get some EVA barrier tubing
Do this. EVA barrier tubing. Don't settle for Home Depot tubing.Ditch the old beer line, and get some EVA barrier tubing
To keep oxygen out of your beer. Especially compared to silicone. And some people claim they can taste vinyl tubing even if it is food grade. Also, smaller ID means shorter beer lines.Why EVA tubing?
Yeah, at least until one decides enough of home brewing and sell all the stuff for pennies on the dollar.You are never done buying equipment is the real world messing with your plan. Hahaha
Like @mac_1103 said: Keeps the O2 out, plus; silicone tubing is not generally used for pressure-dispensing. Since you're still kinda new it's easy to dismiss the permeability of silicone after all, so many of us use it in our brewing systems..but that's only for use during a brewday after which it has to be thoroughly cleaned and dried. The less mentioned side of being O2 permeable is pathways created within the silicone for microbial growths. Here's thread that lets you see with your own eyes, the consequences of O2 permeability: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/thread...o-wants-to-see-it-with-their-own-eyes.727779/I was thinking of just getting some food grade silicon tubing
My tupperware tumbler has a PRV and a gas post on it.I was thinking of getting some of those Tupperware tumblers with the burpable lids so I could protect my beer from exposure between sips.
The 4mm ID EVABarrier is by far the most popular choice for beer line, but this one you linked to has:
Good call.
Not sure why you're buying another tap since you mention already having the excellent Perlick FC... (if it's the plated chrome rather than the Stainless Steel version, I can understand.) I should provide some info here about Flow Control taps:
I've been tempted to get sippy cups because they'd limit exposure between sips and they could be handy by the end of a long night.I was thinking of getting some of those Tupperware tumblers with the burpable lids so I could protect my beer from exposure between sips.
Yeah, at least until one decides enough of home brewing and sell all the stuff for pennies on the dollar.
So I’ve skimmed this thread and haven’t seen this concept brought up yet. Now that you’re kegging it’s pretty easy to hook things up to your fermenter to use fermentation to purge your kegs.
ok, for now, my regulator has a barb, so I'm going to order the gas line anyway and then worry about the conversion later for that side of things. I found this regulator that would probably work fine I reckon: https://www.amazon.com/SPARC-Regulator-Kegerator-Kombucha-Warranty/dp/B0CHT1RXNV. (Yes this has two connectors to kegs. Because I plan on having a two keg set up so i can have a lager and an ale depending on what i feel like that weekendIt depends on a few things:
Good choice if: 1/ you are going to put your CO2 cylinder inside the kegerator...if it's going to be on the outside with the line run through the wall, you might want a slightly longer line.
- 1 of EVAbarrier tubing , 4mm ID X 5/16" OD (3ft length for gas) ($1.99 value!)
- 1 of Ball Lock Keg Disconnect - DUOTIGHT 8mm - GAS Side - ($5.49 value!)
- 1 of Push Fit Fitting (Duotight) - 1/4" FFL x 5/16 Tube ($3.25 value!)
2/ Does the output of your regulator have the 1/4"MFL output this line is set up for, or is it the more common 5/16" or 3/8" barb?
The 4mm ID EVABarrier is by far the most popular choice for beer line, but this one you linked to has:
"Duotight adapter (push fit) with female beer thread for connection to the back of a non-barbed faucet shank." which you have no use for as the appropriate 8mm (5/16") > 6.35mm (1/4") line-to-shank adapter is included in your next item:
Good call.
Not sure why you're buying another tap since you mention already having the excellent Perlick FC... (if it's the plated chrome rather than the Stainless Steel version, I can understand.) I should provide some info here about Flow Control taps:
Flow Control faucets were introduced in recent years as the answer to the problem of foamy pours resulting from improperly balanced dispensing systems....most tradtional venues until this century, had installed their systems balanced for the usual level of carbonation in the same brews served decade after decade. As higher carbonated beers became more popular, greater resistance had to be added to the beer lines; enter: the Flow Control Faucet. For the homebrewer who wants the option of serving the occasional higher CO2-volume beer but wants to keep their lines balanced for more usual lower carbed brews, it makes sense to keep an FC tap around.... unfortunately high number of homebrewers would rather use less than ideal length lines and use FC faucets to compensate for thier imbalanced system...flame me if you like, I just think that's lazy not to mention; more expensive. If you do want another tap, just get the regular non-FC Nuka or Perlick.
BTW: Is there only the one tap in your tower? If you're planning for more taps, you might want to buy a roll of EVABarrier.
If you want short lines, though not as popular, you can consider the 3mm ID EVABarrier. I use 37" of the 3mm in my own kegerator becasue I wanted to get rid of the hanging coils I had...when I changed over to 3mm, there weren't many fittings available, and I kinda went my own way. (you can see it here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/thread...mm-monotight-connector-duotight-shank.730515/ ) There are probably fittings for 3mm available by now.
In any event; Keep looking at options and only hit the 'buy' button when you know what every piece is for.....in the event your regulator has a barb, a read through this thread may help fill in some details for you: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/eva-barrier-line-conversion.733937/
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Yes.But from what I understand, you're saying the shorter the line the less balanced the dispensing system is. So the FC taps counter the short lines. And your restrictive 3mm tube helps to balance the imbalance on shorter lines because there's a more restrictived flow already in place? Am I getting that right?
I bought these: 8mm (OD) to 9.5mm (OD) Reducer, and 6.5mm (ID) 9.5mm (OD) EVA tubing. I plan to force a short length of the 6.5mm ID tubing over the barbs on my regulator, and use the reducer to step down to 4mm ID tubing for most of the length of my gas lines. Some folks have managed to get the smaller diameter tubing over a barb, but I think the larger ID will be much easier to deal with.ok, for now, my regulator has a barb, so I'm going to order the gas line anyway and then worry about the conversion later for that side of things.
"A third option is to capture the CO2 coming off of your fermentation to purge the keg. This requires an truly airtight fermenter (don't even try with a plastic bucket.) I would save this method until you have some kegging experience under your belt."
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I cut back to 3 gallon batches a few years ago. I have 5 gallon kegs if I want to do that. I have several 3 gallon kegs. When I bottle 3 gallons its 30 or 31 bottles and not nearly the pita it used to be. I can knock it out in an hour and a half from bottles soaked overnight in pbw.My biggest challenge has been getting consistently full 5 gallon fills. I use a scale, aim for 6 gallons of wort, and use a couple of 750 ml bottles with sugar for any excess.
A Bouncer inline filter comes in handy at transfer time to keep stuff off the bottom of the keg. I use 5 kegs to keep a steady rotation of carbonating, for 1-2 longer aging recipes and having one always ready.
I have two standard 18 CF refrigerators, one drilled for a tap and tray, other with just a simple picnic tap. The picnic line is easier to clean and very inexpensive. Each has plenty of room for 2-3 kegs, a tank, extra beer and freezer items.
With the kegs, factor in cleaning and refill prep process time, using the same 5 gallons of Star San in the sanitizing of equipment and upcoming kegs.
There's a zillion ways to do this, they're all way easier than bottling.
The other potential downside is finding space for one, especially if you're going big enough for 5 kegs. OP just wanted a basic two tap kegerator that can hold a pair of five gallon corny kegs, and there's nothing wrong with that. Not everyone brews every week.There are plans out there for building a wood collar and putting taps in that so you don’t have to permenently ruin your freezer chest. If you get a decent size freezer chest you might have room for 5 kegs, which is a plus. The downside of a freezer chest is having to lift kegs up high to get them in.
So now I'm curious. How full should my 5g keg be? I got mine filled to just below the gas in tube inside the keg. As I thought it needed to stay below that.johnsonpvb17 said:
My biggest challenge has been getting consistently full 5 gallon fills.
I will definitely keep it in mind. I'm not sure how long one keg's going to last me. Once I know how long one keg lasts me, then I'll start a brewing cycle based around that, but I'd hazard a guess it'll take about 3 weeks to empty.Below the gas line is perfectly fine.
A small suggestion from a guy with a 2 tap kegerator who is the only one drinking it, look to get some smaller kegs or perhaps be smaller batches. Or learn how to bottle off the keg.
I don't know how much you drink, but for me a 5 gallon keg can last a while. It's a pain in the ass when you just brewed that beautiful blonde but still have a half a keg of the stout in there. You love it but want to change out!! I got in the habit of bottling a few gallons of my kegs off the tap until I invested in some smaller ones.
Just some brain droppings from personal experience.
Congratulations on that! Half first-time keggers usually begin their membership on this site because of foamy or sometimes flat pours....you've done well in your studies so far.I pulled a few pints (Imperial, not US, because I'm actually English and my pint glasses are English too) from my oktoberfest tonight. Oh the joy of just pouring it from the tap was so nice.
..and you mentioning buying another tap.. The Perlick is a great tap that you can confidently leave in your will to your grandkids. It will come clean and at worse you may wish to replace some o-rings:ok, the perlick tap is pretty filthy,
^that was Feb 27 and then;Regulator just arrived, now just waiting on the other items
Friday March 7....usually, a used kegerator comes with a regulator, did this one? BTW: Those ready-made Danby Kegerators are IMO, a very sound choice. Thumbs up! ..but to continue:Well, scored a lovely little set of items off of offerup today.
Danby kegerator (not sure on model, but it has a digital temp setting on it) with a Perlick flow control tap on it,
5g corny keg
5lb c02 tank (empty but soon to be exchanged for a full one)
and some random other stuff that the guy wanted to clear out since he had no use for it.
...I'm wondering why you bought yet another regulator? Also, to be blunt (and this is just my opinion) That regulator is sh*t....can you cancel or return it without losing out? It makes sense to have dual-body regulator for a 2 tap kegerator, so I can understand that, but a regulator In My not-so-humble opinion; is one of those "Buy Once, Cry Once" items that you spend the extra dollars on. My personal recomendation as First-Choice would be a Taprite regulator as they are high quality with a proven track record and a long history of continuing to supply replacement parts...(you could will it to your grandkids and they'd be able to will it to theirs!) https://www.morebeer.com/products/co2-regulator-taprite-gauge.html) If you want to save money, a lot of folk on here having been reporting only good stuff about the Kegco regulators https://kegco.com/products/elite-series-dual-body-co2-draft-beer-regulator What and how many regulators do you currently have?I found this regulator that would probably work fine I reckon: https://www.amazon.com/SPARC-Regulator-Kegerator-Kombucha-Warranty/dp/B0CHT1RXNV. (Yes this has two connectors to kegs. Because I plan on having a two keg set up so i can have a lager and an ale depending on what i feel like that weekend![]()
I'd for whatever reason asssumed you had secondaries or at least a manifold...why bother with the adapter and not just use the 1/4" EVA straight to there?Yes.
I bought these: 8mm (OD) to 9.5mm (OD) Reducer, and 6.5mm (ID) 9.5mm (OD) EVA tubing. I plan to force a short length of the 6.5mm ID tubing over the barbs on my regulator, and use the reducer to step down to 4mm ID tubing for most of the length of my gas lines. Some folks have managed to get the smaller diameter tubing over a barb, but I think the larger ID will be much easier to deal with.
Brew on![]()
I have a two body Taprite regulator with barb fittings. I don't really want to try to change the barb fittings for MFL fittings (there are reports on HBT of folks trying to do that, and having issues), and risk having leaks (I have been fortunate so far in having no CO2 leakage issues for about 10 yrs.) And, using the larger tubing and reducer seemed like the easiest way to keep using the barb fittings, since forcing the 4mm ID tubing over the barb is a PITA.I'd for whatever reason asssumed you had secondaries or at least a manifold...why bother with the adapter and not just use the 1/4" EVA straight to there?
Yeah it poured really nicely. Not overly fizzy, which is my preference and no huge head on it. It looked like it should when pulled from a tap. I was happy. It's a bit cloudy because I have to pull the keg out of the fridge to put the keg tap on it currently, so I keep stirring up the sediment on the bottomCongratulations on that! Half first-time keggers usually begin their membership on this site because of foamy or sometimes flat pours....you've done well in your studies so far.
I'm trying to clean it up, but my hope is dwindling. And I'm thinking I may not bother, as if i miss something and it gets some yucky bacteria build up and makes me sick, I'd rather not risk it...and you mentioning buying another tap.. The Perlick is a great tap that you can confidently leave in your will to your grandkids. It will come clean and at worse you may wish to replace some o-rings:
https://www.kegconnection.com/perlick-600-parts/
It did, but it was cheaper than my first one i bought and again was in pretty bad shape, so it went in the bin. The one I'm currently using isn't great, but it's held up and not lost pressure or caused trouble. But it's only got a single regulator on it.usually, a used kegerator comes with a regulator, did this one? BTW: Those ready-made Danby Kegerators are IMO, a very sound choice. Thumbs up! ..but to continue:
I haven't bought the double regulator yet, so I'll take a look at the Taprite ones instead. I'd rather spend a little more if it means it'll work better and stay solid....I'm wondering why you bought yet another regulator? Also, to be blunt (and this is just my opinion) That regulator is sh*t....can you cancel or return it without losing out? It makes sense to have dual-body regulator for a 2 tap kegerator, so I can understand that, but a regulator In My not-so-humble opinion; is one of those "Buy Once, Cry Once" items that you spend the extra dollars on. My personal recomendation as First-Choice would be a Taprite regulator as they are high quality with a proven track record and a long history of continuing to supply replacement parts...(you could will it to your grandkids and they'd be able to will it to theirs!) https://www.morebeer.com/products/co2-regulator-taprite-gauge.html) If you want to save money, a lot of folk on here having been reporting only good stuff about the Kegco regulators https://kegco.com/products/elite-series-dual-body-co2-draft-beer-regulator
1 currently. Was pretty cheap and was mainly my initial experiment to see if I could keg instead of bottle.What and how many regulators do you currently have?
I got the 4mm EVA Barrier lines for gas and beer with the duotight connectors. They looked nice and easy to manage and I didn't need to keep arsing about with the screw clamps on hoses (which again is a pain when you need to clean things).Which lines did you choose in the end? ...You had mentioned wanting to keep your lines short and I did a bit of looking and as expected, @KegLand does now have the duotight accessories to go with the 3mm ID lines:
for the shank: https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/pushcoupling635.htm
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/evabarriertubing3mm3.htm
https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/keg_ball_qd_duo_liquid_tiny.htm
Once I have the nukatap in the tower I'll post some.In any event; Now that you have a working kegerator, how about posting some pictures? We'd love to see it.
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