Went off the deep end

[JPBrewLI]

Haven't even popped my first bottle yet but here is my latest investment

Plan to use these for fermentation, storage, and of course serving.
Still need a co2 tank and fittings.

Close to complete mini home brew factory
Pots 10g,4g,1.5g
fermenters - 5-1g 1-stainless 7g, 6 corny kegs

Do i need a pump yet? something cheap? larger auto siphon?
Any tips or advice?

I've already started looking into keg-erators, so i do have an eye out for a cheap chest freezer.

My wife was only mildly amused with my 40$ stainless corny keg value ratio to some similar price jewelry she wanted so this after this keg purchase i may have to slow down for a few months.

 

[Br3w4u]

Hey at least your wife matches you on values. Last year she got a $4,000ish ring and I got a $500ish rifle for Christmas LOL. I still feel like I won though and that’s all that matters right?

 

[HopHeavy]

I only use pumps during brew sessions. Gravity can move all of your beer for transfers. You will need CO2 to serve, and to create a pressure imbalance to start closed transfers. You will also find it useful to purge those kegs for bulk storage following primary, prior to filling serving kegs, etc. CO2 is a must!

 

[Br3w4u]

Agreed, pumps can be helpful but not entirely necessary. Are you brewing with propane? If so I would suggest getting an extra propane tank for a backup because running to the store for a refill in the middle of a brew can make a brew day suck.

 

[JohnSand]

I use a large auto-siphon for filling kegs.
Craigslist can provide a chest freezer or mini-fridge. Many 4.4 cubic ft models without a freezer will work for two kegs, though they often require modifications to the door.
Right now I think Amazon has a larger chest freezer (7 cu.ft.?) on sale for about $160.

 

[JPBrewLI]

Agreed, pumps can be helpful but not entirely necessary. Are you brewing with propane? If so I would suggest getting an extra propane tank for a backup because running to the store for a refill in the middle of a brew can make a brew day suck.

Stove top, i will probably get a 1500w 'hot rod' to speed things up when i get into 5-6 gallon batches.

I use a large auto-siphon for filling kegs.
Craigslist can provide a chest freezer or mini-fridge. Many 4.4 cubic ft models without a freezer will work for two kegs, though they often require modifications to the door.
Right now I think Amazon has a larger chest freezer (7 cu.ft.?) on sale for about $160.

Thanks, the chest freezers look cheap enough to get new if i don't find any good deals used

 

[jcav]

Love it, lots of luck. I'm also digging your tractor!

John

 

[fragged]

Haven't even popped my first bottle yet but here is my latest investment

Plan to use these for fermentation, storage, and of course serving.
Still need a co2 tank and fittings.

Close to complete mini home brew factory
Pots 10g,4g,1.5g
fermenters - 5-1g 1-stainless 7g, 6 corny kegs

Do i need a pump yet? something cheap? larger auto siphon?
Any tips or advice?

I've already started looking into keg-erators, so i do have an eye out for a cheap chest freezer.

My wife was only mildly amused with my 40$ stainless corny keg value ratio to some similar price jewelry she wanted so this after this keg purchase i may have to slow down for a few months.

Sounds like your first bottling experience went like mine. Nothing went wrong, just "no thanks". Pretty sure I had my first set of kegs befire the first batch was conditioned.

I'd agree with the others, you only need a pump on the hot side, and even then only if doing whirlpools.

As for the keezer, brew up a batch and put it in a fermenter, you'll find a deal on craigslist in the time takes to finish.

Though, if I were to do it again, I'd use a over (freezer) under (fridge). I switched to this based on my keezer temp controller failing at the same time as getting a new fridge in the kitchen. I am immensely happier with the fridge (plus it fits 6 instead of the 4 i could get it my keezer).

 

[glugglug]

Next purchase co2 regulator, tank and gas. 1st time with gas will be about $100. That’ll include the tank, then around $20 after that for refills. Buy a good regulator.

 

[mongoose33]

[Heh, heh. JPBrew thinks he's gone off the deep end. He's really only knee-deep in the shallow end of the pool.]

Hey, JP! Keep posting your acquisitions and we'll let you know when you're approaching the deep end!

 

[fragged]

[Heh, heh. JPBrew thinks he's gone off the deep end. He's really only knee-deep in the shallow end of the pool.]

Hey, JP! Keep posting your acquisitions and we'll let you know when you're approaching the deep end!

Ya, so much distance left to travel

Kegging is the start of how I went from "homebrewing is cheaper" to "over time, I can do my upgrades such that maybe I can open a brewpub/nano someday". Pretty sure I also had my all grain equipment before my first bottles were conditioned.