To Keg or Not to Keg

[tracyk]

I bottled for one year, then when keg connection had the sale this past year on a kegging system I jumped right in. Being that I can get my CO2 tank filled at my LHBS I also bought a tank. About two weeks later Home Brew Supply was running a sale on 2 used ball locks, so I bought those. Then it was off to the races to buy something to put all this in. Lowes was running a special on the Frigidaire 8.1 cu. ft. chest freezer.

Now I am working on making my chest freezer a Keezer. I have only bought 2 shank and 2 faucets, all stainless steel along with the tail pieces. Man are those things pricey. Eventually looking at making it a 6 tap system. Four on the floor and two on the hump. Will but the taps as they go on sale. Still have yet to get 2 more ball locks to fill the whole freezer.

So you see the obsession never quits.... It is nice to have your brew all carb up and ready to go though. Enjoy your kegging. Like me you will probably never look back though...

 

[JohnSand]

I never heard of anyone who started kegging, then gave it up to back to bottling.
I am not an equipment hoarder, and I am very thrifty. I prefer simple stuff. But I love my kegs and kegerator. I keep a few cold flip tops ready to fill to share with buddies or bar owners.
Go forth and keg.

 

[gspot]

Then it was off to the races to buy something to put all this in. Lowes was running a special on the Frigidaire 8.1 cu. ft. chest freezer.

Now I am working on making my chest freezer a Keezer. I have only bought 2 shank and 2 faucets, all stainless steel along with the tail pieces. Man are those things pricey. Eventually looking at making it a 6 tap system. Four on the floor and two on the hump. Will but the taps as they go on sale. Still have yet to get 2 more ball locks to fill the whole freezer.

So you see the obsession never quits....

Yeah, it's a slippery slope. I bought that same freezer from Lowe's and it holds 5 kegs with room to spare. Since I already had a kegerator, I turned it into a lagering chamber. I have nine kegs all filled with lagers: five in the new freezer, and four on tap in the kegerator. Next upgrade: a second co2 manifold for the new freezer so they can carbonate while lagering. I've been waiting a couple weeks for that to happen after putting them on tap. That's a senseless waste of time.

So anyway, you can never have too many kegs, only too little room to accommodate them all!

 

[Atlmustang]

SWMBO gave me the go ahead to move forward with keg conversion. Ran the numbers by her and she said "I dont know ehy you bottled in the first place. Less time more product...thats the goal right?". I knew i married her for a reason.

 

[Atlmustang]

I did it! Double keg system. Pin Lock kegs (had to go pin lock since they are shorter than the skinnier tallers ball lock kegs for my fridge).

Upgraded to Taprite regulator. Had to get the C02 tank as well. My airgas dealer sells them for $95, keg connection had then $65. Easy call there.

Very excited! I got two batches coming up off fermentation and I was getting ready to bottle. Now, I'll wait. The best part of getting the kegs is being able to fill them immediately. Now it's off to youtube to learn about kegging pin lock style.

 

[brewprint]

SWMBO gave me the go ahead to move forward with keg conversion. Ran the numbers by her and she said "I dont know ehy you bottled in the first place. Less time more product...thats the goal right?". I knew i married her for a reason.

It's an investment that you won't be sorry about...that's for sure.

Also get a tube of keg lube and put it around all of your gaskets. That will make like easy. Also get a little spray bottle and put some Mr. Bubble in it and look for leaks.

Also right off the bat get 10 foot beer lines.

These are things that if I could have a 'do over' I would do.

 

[davidst]

--Edit was typing this out before the OP's post saying he already got pin locks --

On the question of pin lock vs ball lock. From what I've seen at this time pin lock kegs are usually cheaper. Pin lock's are shorter and fatter, I went with ball lock kegs because in my keezer I could fit 4 while only could fit 3 pin locks (width is more of a limitation than height).

From what I've read, the biggest negative with the pin lock in the lack of a release valve. I frequently use them on my ball lock and while you can release pressure on the pin lock from the posts, I sure like the release valve on the ball lock (although this is another place where you can have air leaks).

I also bought my kit from Keg Connection, I don't regret my decision. Don't forget if you buy from keg connection to take advantage of their 1/2 price kegs. I also bought used kegs from another vendor and I think the used ones from keg connection are in better condition.

 

[Atlmustang]

Thanks Dave. I did get the 1/2 off deal. Both kegs cost me $49.

I am a little concerned about the release valve on the pin locks but I saw a video of a guy that releases pressure on the cap with a screwdriver. Apprently there is a valve of some sort there. Having the requisite room was important.

Either way, Im pumped. No more 3 week bottling periods.

 

[m00ps]

Thanks Dave. I did get the 1/2 off deal. Both kegs cost me $49.

I am a little concerned about the release valve on the pin locks but I saw a video of a guy that releases pressure on the cap with a screwdriver. Apprently there is a valve of some sort there. Having the requisite room was important.

Either way, Im pumped. No more 3 week bottling periods.

Just buy new keg lids if its an issue. A lot of homebrew stores sell brand new lids with o-rings and they all have pull valves

 

[brewprint]

Thanks Dave. I did get the 1/2 off deal. Both kegs cost me $49.

I am a little concerned about the release valve on the pin locks but I saw a video of a guy that releases pressure on the cap with a screwdriver. Apprently there is a valve of some sort there. Having the requisite room was important.

Either way, Im pumped. No more 3 week bottling periods.

I use pin locks and it's gravy train to release the pressure on the poppet. I have a little paint can opener that I keep near by, but a screwdriver, key, fork, and a myriad of other things would work great.

 

[Homercidal]

I love having a release valve on my ball lock kegs, but honestly it's not that hard to press the gas in post button, or rig a spare QD with nothing attached to let some gas off when necessary.

 

[jschein]

I love having a release valve on my ball lock kegs, but honestly it's not that hard to press the gas in post button, or rig a spare QD with nothing attached to let some gas off when necessary.

Used a fork on the gas post for years. Always thought I would muck it up. Did get spayed a bunch of times but more stories for the family to tell!

 

[beskone]

I bottled the first 2 years I brewed, finally got all the components to put together a 5 tap keezer in the garage. Not only is it less of a pain in the ass the bottling, I also have noticed my beer has improved in quality.

It's a win-win. Less work, less cleanup, better beer.

I just fill up a growler now when I'm going out with beer and in the off chance I need to fill a bottle for a gift or something I have a counter pressure filler I can use.

 

[Murphys_Law]

Read carefully: don't keg. It's a disease. Sure, you'll start slow, maybe one keg. You think you can handle it. But next thing you know you're on-line looking for a second keg. It grips you, but you're ok, man. I control the kegs, they don't control me.

3 kegs...4 kegs...chest freezer or stand up...perlick worth the money...single regulator...dual...**** man, I'm losing control! I'm a keg-a-holic!





PS: my dual regulator just arrived. [emoji1]

 

[brewprint]

Haha my new investment will be 5 brand new ball locks from adventures. I can fit 4 of those tall boys in my keezer as opposed to 3 5 gallon pins and 1 3 gallon pin.

So now I have to convert all my fittings. Oh the joys of kegging

 

[DurtyChemist]

So there was an advertisement from home brew supply on here and they have a 5 gallon keg, gas line, beer line and regulator for $120 and after a 5% discount $113. This beats the crap out of any keg system I've seen this far by about $120. Wasn't planning debating kegging so soon but that price has me feeling like I need to jump. All I'd need is a co2 tank.

My dilemma is this though. I like the portability of bottles but hate waiting 2-3 weeks to carb. I'd like to be able to drink within days of kegging. So should I start a system of bottling some of my beers and keeping them around and kegging some others? That seems obvious. I am brewing every weekend right now so I'm not worried about keeping stock.

I think it's a no brainer right?

Start legging then b up a Blichmann beer gun. Best of both worlds. You'll never have a bottle bomb and it's simple enough to use you can bottle a six pack or all your beer with ease.

Search craigslist for a used 20 lb co2 tank. You'll want it because the price to swap out a 20 vs 5 is minimal, you can find them for cheap if you're patient and you'll almost never have to worry about running out of CO2. Hydroponic shops do swaps too.

 

[55x11]

Start legging then b up a Blichmann beer gun. Best of both worlds. You'll never have a bottle bomb and it's simple enough to use you can bottle a six pack or all your beer with ease.

Search craigslist for a used 20 lb co2 tank. You'll want it because the price to swap out a 20 vs 5 is minimal, you can find them for cheap if you're patient and you'll almost never have to worry about running out of CO2. Hydroponic shops do swaps too.

Agreed. I predict you will go through the following upgrades: (which I went though myself recently)

You will get blichman beer gun (or make a poor man's version but I don't think it works as well - ergonomics and CO2 purging worth it alone!)
Upgrade from 5 to 20lb CO2 tank
Get a lot more kegs! (I originally bought 2 keg set from keg connection, like you but now I have 7 and looking to get maybe 2-5 more)
Get a large keggerator (mine fits 9 kegs)
Get fermentation chamber (whats one more freezer?)
Get Perlick taps, shanks, and keep expanding. I have 6 taps now and will probably get a few more.
Get a nitro tap (I actually don't think you need Nitrogen tank, you can do just as well with high pressure CO2 as long as you disconnect and degas as to not overcarb).
Get more regulators (for separate pressure for different kegs), more lines, disconnects, carbonation caps for plastic bottles, manifolds, etc.

 

[ChelisHubby]

Dang...I can get a 2 keg system with pin lock kegs for $158 on keg connection. Should I get pin or ball lock?

I started with a pin lock and it was troublesome. I switched to ball locks and they have been much easier to keep leak free. I find myself bottling a six or a twelve pack off of most brews so I can share beer away from the house.

 

[Homercidal]

Read carefully: don't keg. It's a disease. Sure, you'll start slow, maybe one keg. You think you can handle it. But next thing you know you're on-line looking for a second keg. It grips you, but you're ok, man. I control the kegs, they don't control me.

3 kegs...4 kegs...chest freezer or stand up...perlick worth the money...single regulator...dual...**** man, I'm losing control! I'm a keg-a-holic!





PS: my dual regulator just arrived. [emoji1]

Pshaw! I am quite happy with the 4 kegs I got. I can keep two in the kegeratore at one time, and I have a 3rd for filling and priming ahead of time, or for jumping clear beer into if I want. The 4th is for Root Beer only.

I also have a couple of 2.5 Gallon SS Fire extinguishers that I have more or less converted into mini kegs (Well, one of them anyway).

I also see they are making some nice 2.5 gallon kegs that stack on top of each other and clear the QDs. I should probably see if they fit my kegerator. I wouldn't mind having maybe 4 beers on tap at a time...

 

[Atlmustang]

I started with a pin lock and it was troublesome. I switched to ball locks and they have been much easier to keep leak free. I find myself bottling a six or a twelve pack off of most brews so I can share beer away from the house.

Thanks! Went with pin lock because the are a bit shorter and I wanted to be sure that they would fit in my fridge because i know width wise i would have plenty but height woud become a concern. Id have enough room either way but didnt want to leave it to any error.

 

[muels]

It's easy to keep buying! I have 12 5 gallon ball lock kegs, 2 2.5 gallon ball lock kegs, a 5 tap keezer, a 2 tap fridge, and a 2 tap portable kegerator. Started out with just a 2 tap fridge with 2 kegs! It helped that I was able to get 2 ball locks from a buddy for $15 each and then got a few free from a friend who clean beer lines for the bars. Also got lucky and found a junk kegerator randomly in the trash!! All junk but the 5# CO2 tank was good and in cert. and the regulator works fine as a spare and for the portable unit!

I think my favorite upgrade though is adding 2 single stage regulators. I can put 40 psi on the 2 stage for carbbing, then use the single stages for two different serving pressures. Each single stage goes to a manifold that I can feed 3-4 kegs each.

 

[Atlmustang]

Wow....thats impressive!

I am pumped. Mine are coming in today. Saturday I fill the first one up with my SMaSH IPA and the other with Belgian Trippel. It will be epic.

 

[Baja_Brewer]

It is a disease... And you'll keep finding ways go modify your setup if your situation changes - I used a brewPi to turn my lousy kegerator that did a poor job of keeping consistent cold temps into a ferm chamber, but don't have another full fridge that I can drill... But I didn't want to commit the while spare fridge we have to 5 gallon kegs since I'm brewing 2.5 to 3 gallon batches. So over the course of about 6 months I picked up 10 pin-lock 3-gallon kegs and converted them to ball lock. Its a disease, a disease I say!

 

[user 198378]

Idk why everyone is ragging on bottling. I have my own 4 tap keezer and still bottle. I think the main difference is that I can share my homebrew with friends easier by bottling. ALSO, very important, I find that some beers are just better for aging in bottles then the keg.

 

[Bobb25]

How about Grolsch type bottles? If you pour into those and close up with the stopper will that hold carbination for a short time?

After sampling the keg for two or three weeks, ( quality control ) When it is time to use the kegs for the next batch, I shoot the balance (beer gun ) into Grolsch type clamp top bottles and have kept the beer well carbonated for 6 months. ( I take a supply of each batch to my snow bird headquarters in South West Florida )
Bob

 

[Morrey]

I like ball lock kegs and connects....they seem to be more standard than pins, but just my take on things.

You'll need at least a 5lb CO2 tank to carb and gas your kegs. My local AirGas fills 5lb tanks for $17. Be forewarned many gas companies only do filled for empty exchanges, so your brand new empty tank says bye bye and you get a used filled one. I buy my tanks off Craigslist and could care less about the condition since I'll swap it out anyway. I have several 5's and one 20 lb, but again, CO2 is an important part of your kegging experience.

 

[Atlmustang]

I got a 5lb tank with the kit. Airgas is right on my way home from work. Should be awesome. How long can a 5lb tank last? If I force carb at 30psi for 3-4 days then return it to 10-12 psi serving pressure?

 

[Atlmustang]

It came! But they forgot to send the damn Co2 tank. Rats. Going to have to wait a bit longer.

 

[Baja_Brewer]

I'd also like to point out that kegging can really help with bottling - I bottled 3 batches from kegs the other day. I'll bulk age in kegs, treating the keg like a secondary that can be sealed and purged - then when I have several batches ready to go (or I'm running out of kegs) I'll add priming sugar, purge, swirl around to distribute the sugar and get any yeast into suspension, break out my beer gun and bench-top capper, and bang out a couple batches in a few hours while I have a brew going.

I've done 6 batches of Belgian ales like this since I got back into brewing a little over a year ago and have another 2 aging right now and want to do more, but I'm running out of Belgian Pils! (and have a ton of 2-Row to use up!)

 

[treacheroustexan]

I got a 5lb tank with the kit. Airgas is right on my way home from work. Should be awesome. How long can a 5lb tank last? If I force carb at 30psi for 3-4 days then return it to 10-12 psi serving pressure?

I'm on keg #7 with my 5# tank I had filled last year. I wouldn't leave it at 30psi for more than a day and a half though. Chill it, 30 psi for 24-36 hrs, and then set to serving pressure.