tired of bottling...

[tigerdentist]

i am really tired of bottling my beer, and I am getting ready to start kegging. Just wondered if anyone had any suggestions on necessary parts/components that are needed for kegging and setting up a fridge to hold a corney keg or two.

Thanks in advance.

 

[dap325]

http://stores.kegconnection.com/Categories.bok?category=*Homebrew+Kegerator+Kits:Ball+Lock+Kits


This page should have what you're looking for, depending on how many kegs you want and if you want to be able to dispense them at different pressures. Check craigslist for a cheap fridge and you're in business.

 

[celticcolorado]

I was able to put a system together from buying equipment on Craigslist. It may save you some money. But I agree with DAP that KegConnection is a great way to go otherwise. I would suggest getting a deep freezer and setting up a keezer unit. You will be surprised how quickly you will want to add more kegs.

 

[Skarekrough]

A few weeks ago I snapped up a freezer off of CraigsList for $100.

A little bit of light carpentery, a setup from kegconnection and it's up and running.

The hardest part has been backfilling to create a pipeline.

 

[jetmac]

kegconnection.com has free shipping

 

[jetmac]

And check out this thread Sizing your chest freezer

 

[akthor]

While you are getting your kegs and the system together like Sharekrough said building the pipeline is the hardest part so while you get your gear together start brewing beer ahead of time so you will be able to fill your kegs. Plus once you start kegging you will be shocked at how quickly you can empty them

 

[slantedbolt]

I had no idea Kegs were so inexpensive... hmmm..

 

[eljefe]

Plus once you start kegging you will be shocked at how quickly you can empty them

That is so true.

I bought this kit from Midwest that I was and am still happy with. I dod not want to drill holes in the fridge I was using so the picnic taps worked great. I recently got a free freezer which I converted to a kegerator and I simply removed the picnic taps from the original kit and connected them to used faucets and shanks.

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/brew-logic-dual-tap-draft-system-with-reconditioned-co2-tank.html

You may want to post on the Classified section to see if anyone wants to sell their used parts (kegs, CO2 tanks, regulator(s) etc). If you can wait, you may be able to save some money by piecing the system together.

For what it is worth, moving from bottles to kegs was the best change I have made. It takes less time and I believe the quality is better. Good luck

 

[chapa]

I was able to put a system together from buying equipment on Craigslist. It may save you some money. But I agree with DAP that KegConnection is a great way to go otherwise. I would suggest getting a deep freezer and setting up a keezer unit. You will be surprised how quickly you will want to add more kegs.

I'll 2nd that. I have a dual tap, and am already kicking around the keezer idea.

 

[mixmasterob]

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/brew-logic-dual-tap-draft-system-with-reconditioned-co2-tank.html

Is this really all you need to start kegging?

 

[akthor]

yup and a way to get them cold. Fridge or keezer preferrably but you can do it with a cooler.

 

[whiskey_pickle]

Is this really all you need to start kegging?

That's all you need if you want to spend a bunch of money....I bet you could scrape together that kit for no more than $100.00 if that. I asked a Pepsi driver where a guy might pick up a few of those "containers" and he said "how many would you like?" I traded him some home brew received 3 of them for free. "The less he had to carry back"..comes to mind too. Go to the local Welding/Gas shop and you can rent a tank and pay to have it filled ($8.50 for 10lbs)...ask about a reconditioned regulator....(or 2) while your there.. LHBS for tubing...or McMaster-Carr. But to answer your question of "if this is all you need?"....Absolutely!

 

[eljefe]

For several months that is all I had. You need to make sure there is an accessible supplier to fill the CO2 tank. Around here, some of the dealers are only open Mon - Fri and others want you to swap the tank out, which is not desireable if you just got a brand new tank. You should also get some beer line cleaner. Other than that, you are good to go.

I essentially removed the shelves and drawers from an extra fridge we had in the basement. I was able to fit the tank and 2 kegs with no problem (it was a side by side fridge/freezer). I didn't have to drill any holes and when I moved to the converted freezer, I was able to salvage the fridge.

Given that this is the most basic way to start, there are some drawbacks. The issues I faced were the abundance of hoses. You could get around this by cutting them back but that may limit what you want to do in the future. The other issue was that a couple drops of beer inevitably dropped out of the picnic tap after pouring. I had to clean the bottom of the fridge every time I changed a keg.

I was amazed at how easy it was and i have included the link to the instructions so you know what you are getting into:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/aitdownloadablefiles/download/aitfile/aitfile_id/422/

Please keep in mind that there are other options especially if you want to have a tap coming out of your fridge. But you can start with the basic kit or build it as other suggested and then add on to it over time. Your tank, kegs and regulators are constant for the most part regardless of what you decide to do.