What to buy...

[worstbrewing]

So, tis the season to upgrade my equipment and I've been holding out to start kegging for a while but I think the time is here. Here's the conundrum, I've been scouring over various configurations for a while and reading various reviews, methods, etc. yet I still don't quite have a final decision. I've at least narrowed it down to two major options, with some possible modifications.

I've been checking out the options on kegconnection.com and will be getting a 2 faucet refrigerator conversion keg kit (with shanks) for pin lock kegs (I already have a few). I'm torn between the Standard and Premium kits, which the only real difference is the premium has the Taprite Regulator.

If I go with the standard kit, I was debating upgrading to the Dual Body Chudnow regulator, with the intension of being able to carb one quickly while serving others. However, I understand the great debate of carbing quickly vs waiting at serving pressure, which is where I'm torn.

The next upgrade I'm considering on these kits would be the faucets. I definitely want to upgrade to the Perlick faucets, but am torn between the 525SS and 575SS "Creamer." Does anyone find they use the Creamer feature often, or is it something I may regret upgrading to?

So, to reiterate, should I go with a standard or premium kit, are there any major complaints/differences between each kits' default regulator? Should I upgrade to the dual body? Are there any other pros to it other than being able to have two different settings? Should I upgrade to the Perlick 525SS or 575SS, or one of each or something else?

Any advice is much appreciated, I want to make sure I'm getting parts that I won't regret later because of them being cheaper or useless, etc. so some good solid debate on any of these is certainly welcome! Thanks in advance, I'm anxious to start kegging!

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I'll be putting these into a simple keezer, just an old freezer with a wooden collar that the faucets will come out of the side of.

 

[WrongCoastBrewery]

Im a fan of getting the basics and then expanding as you see fit. The premium or deluxe kits are nice, dont get me wrong. I started out with a basic one keg kit pieced together from the LHBS. I then expanded to a three way manifold with an add on regulator to make mine a double. The only thing I sprang for was the faucets and shanks. I got those all SS and I also got the Perlick 425SS. I ended up building a three tap keezer and the setup is perfect to my needs. You may spend a bit more in some areas this way, but if you hunt the deals it will come out the same in the end.

Also, not that I have had experience with the "creamer" faucets, but I was told that those faucets are harder to keep clean. Not sure if this is true or not.

 

[Steelers77]

I have both the 525 and 575 in use and like them equally. I agree with wrong coast go with the basic kit and build/upgrade as you go. You will have changes in your preferences and homebrew setup so you may want to stay dynamic to adjust to these changes.

Also, I've had a "standard" regulater for about 10 years now and have never had an issue with it.

 

[worstbrewing]

Well, I definitely plan to atleast upgrade the faucets to 525 or 575 (maybe one of each). Steelers77 do you find anything more difficult between cleaning either like WrongCoast mentioned?

Does anyone see a benefit to getting the dual-body regulator over the standard one?

I do want to keep it basic, but the reason for upgrading the faucets is I've heard plenty saying Perlick is easiest to clean and most reliable, so I definitely want to at least upgrade those to something more... Does anyone have any experience with either faucet when trying to fill bottles ala this thread: Bottling from taps - Perlick owners
I mention this thread because it specifically notes the 525 is a different design, so I was just curious if anyone found a way to bottle from the tap (just seems like a lot less hassle) using the 525/575.

 

[WrongCoastBrewery]

Well, I definitely plan to atleast upgrade the faucets to 525 or 575 (maybe one of each). Steelers77 do you find anything more difficult between cleaning either like WrongCoast mentioned?

Does anyone see a benefit to getting the dual-body regulator over the standard one?

I do want to keep it basic, but the reason for upgrading the faucets is I've heard plenty saying Perlick is easiest to clean and most reliable, so I definitely want to at least upgrade those to something more... Does anyone have any experience with either faucet when trying to fill bottles ala this thread: Bottling from taps - Perlick owners
I mention this thread because it specifically notes the 525 is a different design, so I was just curious if anyone found a way to bottle from the tap (just seems like a lot less hassle) using the 525/575.

Not to say the 525 or 575s arent good, but I like the 425s becausse they come apart much easier to clean. Plus the nozzles unscrew. That could be a way to build a BF rig. For now I would suggest the BMBF (Biermuncher Bottle Filler). I use it and the thing works like a charm.

 

[worstbrewing]

Yeah, I want 425's for that reason but it doesn't appear that they offer them on kegconnection.com from what I can tell. I have read up on the BMBF and just don't particularly care for having to hook up straight to the keg from the keezer, instead of being able to just pour from the tap that it is already hooked up to. I frequently hand out bottles as gifts to family/friends and definitely want to make the bottling portion as quick/easy/hassle-free as possible when it is necessary. Maybe it's not such a hassle, but it just doesn't look as convenient, having to dial down the pressure, etc. But that will depend on which regulator I go with I suppose too...

 

[WrongCoastBrewery]

Yeah, I want 425's for that reason but it doesn't appear that they offer them on kegconnection.com from what I can tell. I have read up on the BMBF and just don't particularly care for having to hook up straight to the keg from the keezer, instead of being able to just pour from the tap that it is already hooked up to. I frequently hand out bottles as gifts to family/friends and definitely want to make the bottling portion as quick/easy/hassle-free as possible when it is necessary. Maybe it's not such a hassle, but it just doesn't look as convenient, having to dial down the pressure, etc. But that will depend on which regulator I go with I suppose too...

If you could find those faucets, I am sure with a bit of research you could find the perfect fitting to match up and make an inline filler. Dialing down the pressure is to prevent foaming. But I know of people who fill right out of their taps. Usually the beer is being consumed within hours. For those of us who keep it in bottles longer for whatever reason use the BF.

 

[worstbrewing]

Yeah, the thread I mentioned above had a custom piece you could order but it only works for the 425's, so I may have to just hunt around to at least get a hold of one I can use for bottling or something. I suppose for now I'll go with one 525 and one 575.

I'm still torn on whether I should get the dual-body regulator or not. Any thoughts? While I can be impatient, it sounds like overall it is not recommended to try to speed things up with increased pressure so I'll likely end up leaving it at serving pressure for 2 weeks or whatever... but are there any reasons I might want a dual-body down the road? or any other tricks, etc that having a dual-body would be helpful for?

 

[WrongCoastBrewery]

I have one and the nice thing is I can force carb kegs on one and keep others on service without having to adjust pressure. Another thing would be if your serving pressures for two different styles were different. Something to look into down the road, but not necessary.

 

[worstbrewing]

Cool, thanks! That does help a lot in deciding. My main thing is I would rather not buy equipment that I'll end up having no use for later. It's only a few extra $$ to upgrade, so I'd rather do it now instead of buying a brand new one later and having the old parts. Do you have any tricks/advice for how you force carb your kegs?

 

[WrongCoastBrewery]

Cool, thanks! That does help a lot in deciding. My main thing is I would rather not buy equipment that I'll end up having no use for later. It's only a few extra $$ to upgrade, so I'd rather do it now instead of buying a brand new one later and having the old parts. Do you have any tricks/advice for how you force carb your kegs?

Some people use the high pressure shake your kegs method to speed it up. I am more of the set it and forget it method. Basically I chill the empty keg, rack the beer to the keg via the beer out connection, seal it up, and then set the pressure to whatever it is for the amount of carbonation I want. Typically it is 11-12psi at ~40F for about 2-3 weeks. I have good carbonation everytime.