Where should I buy a kegging kit from?

[Anthony_Lopez]

My "Brew Crew" has mentioned an interest in kegging our beers. What kits and sites would you guys suggest?

Thanks much!

 

[ClutchDude]

Depends on whether your looking at door or tower.

Also keep in mind that you'll want Soda Keg fittings and lines, but going in-between those and sanke can be a pain without the right equipment.

You'll also want more than one regulator so you can force-carb the beer, so I'd suggest getting a dual-reg setup from the start. Those gauges can be a real pain to get off.

Keg Connection Homebrew kits

Beverage Factory Homebrew Keg Kits

 

[c.n.budz]

If you want to go brand new, I've heard good things about both places ClutchDude linked. When I put my kegging setup together I started combing through craigslist and ebay and got my equipment for about half the cost and still in excellent shape.

 

[DJCalico]

http://stores.kegconnection.com/Detail.bok?no=22

I'm not jumping into this right away, but am seriously considering it.

If i was to get the kit above:

- is a 10lb tank preferred?
- what is the best storage for these once they are full of beer? what is the cheapest yet effective way to start chilling?

 

[ClutchDude]

10# can be harder to store, often meaning you need to put it outside the fridge. This means drilling your fridge and potentially hitting a freon line if you are not careful. If that's not an issue and you've got the cash OR live out in the boonies, get a 10# tank. Your CO2 will last a very very long time, something like 30 1/2 bbl kegs I remember right.

A converted fridge is by far the best way to chill them. With that system you picked, you have picnic faucets, meaning you can open the fridge, pour a beer and close it. No need to modify the fridge with a tower or door faucet.

However, if you only drink seldomly with friends and like to finish a keg, a jockey box would also work quite well as long as you clean it afterwards. No need to keep the beer cold the entire time.

 

[Zackb911]

I just ordered a 2 Corny kegging kit like the one listed above for me it was cheapest from Midwest and I'm in MA like you... for under $260 I got the kegging setup shipped and a nice Sierra Nevada Clone Kit I'm hoping it'll be here by this weekend!

Zack

 

[ClutchDude]

Yep. Here's the one Zack is talking about. The difference between that and the keg connection one is about $9. You get a new CO2 tank from Kegconnection but you get a reconditioned tank from Midwest + a double gauge setup.

 

[BigWhitey_FrostBox]

I've purchased all of my kegging equipment from kegconnection. I first bought a single tap refrigerator conversion and later upgraded to three taps. I live about 45minutes from their office, and both times I've ordered the soemone with staff was willing to meet me to deliver my order. Not only did it save me $ on shipping, it showed their high level of customer service. If you go with kegconnection you won't be disappointed.

 

[DJCalico]

Great replies guys.. thanks!

 

[abracadabra]

Check with local CO2 suppliers if they want to swap tanks out it don't matter if they are new or used. As a matter of fact I'd rather swap out a used tank. Why pay that extra money for a new tank just to swap it out on an old used tank? Around here the best deals on gas come from the guys that will only swap.

As far as tank size goes another consideration is the price you'll pay for the gas around hotlanta 2.5 lbs goes for $12, 5 lbs goes for $18 for a fill up.
Where as it's $13 for a 10 lb. swap and $18 for a 20 lb swap out.
Go figure!

To the OP I've had good luck with these guy's:

http://www.homebrewing.org/

I think they are in NC but it could be SC I forget, depending where you live shipping distance might be a cost factor too.

One last thing I learned the hard way and I willing to help others learn from my mistake. The high pressure gauge that measure tank pressure is a waste of money. All you really need is the gauge that measures the dispensing pressure.
The high pressure gauge won't give you an indication of how much gas you have left.

 

[ClutchDude]

I've also heard of being able to have a rental agreement where you just pay $20 for a used tank rental and you can quickly exchange your empty tank for new gas, much like current Propane exchange system. My local place won't do that for small tanks, but you might have luck.

The high pressure gauge also acts as a plug. You can always expand your system by removing that gauge and putting a coupler in.

Also, when you have a big tank, it'll tell you when your tank is empty(being 30<x<200 psi), even though it may still have a enough pressure in the line to carbonate and such.

For your small tanks, it's all but pointless.