kegging equipment critique

[alter]

I've been wanting to get into kegging but know very little about it and I just ordered equipment. I want to run it all by you guys to see if there is anything else I might need or if there is any opinions or feedback on this stuff.

I already have an Igloo FR465 fridge that I plan on modifying and turning into a kegerator. I'm going to start with one keg and maybe expand to 2.

I just placed an order for these items:

Kegco Ultimate Tower 2 Tap Home Brew Kegerator Kit Ball Lock No Tank

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WMK2B4/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Cornelius Keg, 5 Gallon, Ball Lock, NEW

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V5E976/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

5 LB CO2 Cylinder, Aluminum

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0023VE8F2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20


Can anyone think of any reason why this might not all work together or if I might need anything else? Thanks!

 

[CloverBrew]

just for your own peace of mind, also check the vendor list here on HBT. just to make sure the price is reasonable. I would suggest Keg connection. they have really good prices. but besides that the list looks good.

 

[kombat]

Looks like a great start, although it seems like a waste to have a system built for 2 kegs and only use 1. I predict you'll want that second keg VERY soon, if not immediately.

Other items you should look at picking up might be a couple spare sets of keg O-rings, some keg lube, maybe a couple spare poppets, a *BRAND NEW* toilet scrub brush for cleaning the inside of the kegs, and a small pipe brush for cleaning inside the liquid pickup tube. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[the_trout]

Looks like a great start, although it seems like a waste to have a system built for 2 kegs and only use 1. I predict you'll want that second keg VERY soon, if not immediately.

Other items you should look at picking up might be a couple spare sets of keg O-rings, some keg lube, maybe a couple spare poppets, a *BRAND NEW* toilet scrub brush for cleaning the inside of the kegs, and a small pipe brush for cleaning inside the liquid pickup tube. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

+1 to all that and a faucet wrench and a 7/8, 11/16 offset ratchet wrench

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/faucet-wrench.html

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-11-16-x-7-8-in-wrench-offset-ratchet/p-00943365000P

 

[Foosier]

You will want to check vendors on the new kegs. Keg connection is great and sells excellent new 5 gal cornys for 40 dollars cheaper than the Amazon source. They have great kits too and cheap shipping. I have used them and have been very satisfied.

 

[kombat]

BTW, note that the gas in/liquid out posts on a Corny keg are NOT interchangeable. If you get them mixed up, you will have problems. Trust me, these are the little things that are sometimes omitted from books and tutorials, but it's important to know.

 

[alter]

You will want to check vendors on the new kegs. Keg connection is great and sells excellent new 5 gal cornys for 40 dollars cheaper than the Amazon source. They have great kits too and cheap shipping. I have used them and have been very satisfied.

Actually Keg Connection is the Amazon vendor I'm getting the keg from...Ouch I see I could have saved about 35 bucks if I ordered from their website instead. Good to know. If I order a 2nd one I'll get it directly from them next time.

 

[tjBrewer]

+1 to all that and a faucet wrench and a 7/8, 11/16 offset ratchet wrench

Yep. Be on the look out for used kegs on Craigslist as well. As others have said, extra O-rings are a good investment as well.

 

[fizgig]

Looking on keg connection, do these kits actually come with the kegs? It's hard to tell since they call it a keg kit but don't list the kegs in the description, but then the picture says new O rings come with the kegs.

http://stores.kegconnection.com/Detail.bok?no=584

also, why the 20oz bottle instead of 5 or 10lb?

 

[BigFloyd]

I just got done setting up my keezer for 3 kegs/faucets. So far, I've got two stocked kegs in there and have a dark amber ale batch ready to brew/keg once I get an empty bucket.

I got all of my stuff from http://www.birdmanbrewing.com. They're an HBT vendor and Brian, the owner, provides outstanding individualized customer service. His prices were even a bit better for my setup than those at Keg Connection.

 

[flyte74]

Another option is to set up your second keg for commercial kegs. You'll need a sanke coupler ($25). I run three kegs, two home brews and one commercial keg. I'm expanding to a five keg system this weekend with a keezer build, but will still probably keep one commercial keg on tap. My LHBS has decent prices on their kegs and I enjoy most of their beers (Ballast Point). I'll have three home brews, one commercial, and a 2.5 keg of carbed water for soda. The kids think its awesome.

 

[krenshaw]

that does look like a good start.. i can currently run 3 kegs, looking to add a 4th and a 5th someday.. the conversion for commercial kits is really good to have as well.. when your own pipeline is low its nice to get a good micro to have on tap.. personally i have gone with new kegs for all 3 of mine.. i had 2 used ones before but the lids never fit right and i ended up ruing part of a couple batches.. the new ones are $$$ but will last you forever..

 

[the_trout]

I dont mean to knit pick but if new kegs last forever wouldnt it stand to reason that used kegs would also last forever? After all they were once new kegs... lol. I have used kegs myself and they work great but I will admit I am a little jealous of folks with new kegs. They just look so awesome when new! I wish they were cheaper.

 

[sak1134]

I just purchased a very similar setup to the one you are getting. I did the door mount kit

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XG1NVC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

for kegs I went with

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/home_brew/kegs/2X-KEG-5GAL-NSH_ball_lock_keg.html

only through Amazon they were $140 for the set. They don't seem to be findable on amazon at the moment, possibly because they are back ordered.

I also went a bit off the deep end and decided that since my first beer was a stout I had to have a nitrogen system and have ordered the parts to add one stout tap to my soon to be constructed keezer. (finally have a use for that full size upright freezer in the garage)

I ordered through Amazon for two reasons, I like their customer service (even with outside vendors) and the overall pricing was better, which doesn't make sense but it was.

The only short term upgrade I can see may be to replace my two as of yet uninstalled taps with Perlick flow control taps.

Let us know how your system works when u get it installed.

Steve

 

[krenshaw]

I dont mean to knit pick but if new kegs last forever wouldnt it stand to reason that used kegs would also last forever? After all they were once new kegs... lol. I have used kegs myself and they work great but I will admit I am a little jealous of folks with new kegs. They just look so awesome when new! I wish they were cheaper.

i've used a couple used ones and they were dented just a bit too much to hold a correct seal, even after changing all the gaskets.. i figured it was much more practical just to get new ones that will last me forever, maybe not the next owner though..

they are quite an investment but for the amount of use they will get their use