Thread: KEG STARTUP & COSTS

Originally Posted by beefy

Andy,

may be i need to come down and check out your system and how you work it i am getting one for xmas so i will be in to it.

keith

No problems mate,happy to show you how its done and offer advice and a taste
Andrew

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Taste test?!?!

barstards!

Your just as welcome if not MORE than welcome too Pedro,I would be happy to put you on the "drowned in the shed" list
Andrew

Hi Andrew

Ive been kegging for a long time (15+ years) so can offer a bit of advice.

I'd go for something like this from CraftBrewer:
Code: KEGSPECIAL
Name: Keg & Seal Kit - 4 KEG SPECIAL
$240.00 $240.00 Code: REGHARRIS601
Name: CO2 Regulator - Dual Gauge (Harris 601)
$95.00 $95.00 Code: BRONCOF&H
Name: Bronco Faucet & Hose
$14.90 $14.90 Tax Total: AUD $31.81 TOTAL: AUD $349.90 AUD Dollar TOTAL: $349.90
This would give you 4 kegs (with new seals), a good quality regulator and an inexpensive tap to get going.
All you need to do is add a gas bottle of your choice. Craftbrwer will shi the kegs for free to WA and throw the other stuff inside th kegs for free if they will fit.
If I was starting out now I would most likely buy the 2.6Kg Co2 bottle from Keg King at $199. This would last you roughly a Year and costs $25 to refil. Since you own it there is no hire cost. Its very small and light to take to mates places for a barby with your beer.

After you have some experience you can upgrade the taps - ie decide to either build your own bar and buy a chilled bar font with taps or make a 'kegerator' - ie a fridge or freezer with taps coming out.

Ive gone the build a bar route with an Andale flooded 3 tap font. Its made of jarrah and redgum.

Besides the kegging gear Id recommend a ~340L chest freezer to run at fridge temps, or if you have a big old beer firdge use that!

Have fun.
Cheers
Simon
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As per the RULZ ive added a pic.

Originally Posted by LOVEMYRANGIE

Getting closer to doing a keg setup but havent really been able to make up my mind on equipment.

What reccomendations does everyone have for a kit and roughly how much?

Cheers

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

I was at the point of giving up brewing 'cause I had very little spare time and was sick of washing, priming and capping bottles.

I took the plunge and went eBaying. Gokegging (I think) are here on the East coast. $5-600 for a stainless front kegorator (twin tap on a chrome font) with most bits and bobs. I originally got two 19l Cornelious kegs through them but found them cheaper on another eBay site....bringing it up to 4 kegs. I then sourced a small gas bottle (filled) through eBay too. Local brew shop suppllied a couple of plumbing bits, as the original was set up for bigger kegs with a different fitting.

All up, under $1K I think and I've never looked back!

I have two kegs on the go at once....usually staggered to prevent embarrassing run-outs. And two maturing in my office at home. Depending on how you set them up, I think you can fit three kegs inside the usual kegorator (with Cornelious kegs)....one chilling and two on tap.

It's worth the effort and the coin. I'm sure with a bit of shopping around you could do better too.

Cheers,

Kev.

Originally Posted by Celtoid

Hi Andrew,

I was at the point of giving up brewing 'cause I had very little spare time and was sick of washing, priming and capping bottles.

I took the plunge and went eBaying. Gokegging (I think) are here on the East coast. $5-600 for a stainless front kegorator (twin tap on a chrome font) with most bits and bobs. I originally got two 19l Cornelious kegs through them but found them cheaper on another eBay site....bringing it up to 4 kegs. I then sourced a small gas bottle (filled) through eBay too. Local brew shop suppllied a couple of plumbing bits, as the original was set up for bigger kegs with a different fitting.

All up, under $1K I think and I've never looked back!



I have two kegs on the go at once....usually staggered to prevent embarrassing run-outs. And two maturing in my office at home. Depending on how you set them up, I think you can fit three kegs inside the usual kegorator (with Cornelious kegs)....one chilling and two on tap.

It's worth the effort and the coin. I'm sure with a bit of shopping around you could do better too.

Cheers,

Kev.

Hi Kev & everyone
I am going in the same direction, just ordered a Kegorator, Think it will be a steep learning curve. I have made home brew in the past but also got sick of the bottles. Got 2 brews fermenting while I await delivery and hopefully will get started in a weeks time.
Found some good hints on here so far and if anyone else has experiance in this area would be good to hear more!

You wont regret it.
Kegerators hold 2 kegs dont they????
If so you will need 2 spare kegs and a cool place to store the beer.My beer fridge holds 4 kegs,I keep 2 on the gas,1 of them on tap.You will find it takes 4 or 5 days do gas up a keg,so if you buy a "T" piece and spare gas connect your second keg will "condition" much better whilst drinking the first.
I dont sterilize my kegs between brews.They are filled with C02 so nothing seems to "live" in them.Simply rinse out with hot water then put some boiling water in seal and swill around,all ready to go.
The 2 spare kegs will enable you to keep going brewing 2 batches at once.
ENJOY
Andrew

I had to slow right down on Brewing beer, I was getting very fat. Having beer in the fridge ALL the time was just too tempting for me...lol I've always wanted to move to the Keg option but feared I will end up looking like one.

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

You wont regret it.
Kegerators hold 2 kegs dont they????
If so you will need 2 spare kegs and a cool place to store the beer.My beer fridge holds 4 kegs,I keep 2 on the gas,1 of them on tap.You will find it takes 4 or 5 days do gas up a keg,so if you buy a "T" piece and spare gas connect your second keg will "condition" much better whilst drinking the first.
I dont sterilize my kegs between brews.They are filled with C02 so nothing seems to "live" in them.Simply rinse out with hot water then put some boiling water in seal and swill around,all ready to go.
The 2 spare kegs will enable you to keep going brewing 2 batches at once.
ENJOY
Andrew

Hi Andrew
I think mine holds 3 kegs, 2 on tap with space for a 3rd chilling. Should be enough?? If not will get a fourth keg. The not steralising sounds a bit scary but will give it a go when I get it all working. Still waiting for delivery, got 2 brews bubbling away, cant wait. Still going to be a steep learning curve, but what better incentive could be had?

Will give an update/scream for help when I get it.