KEG STARTUP & COSTS

**jazzaD1** · 15th May 2012, 08:07 PM

i have recently converted to kegs, and will soon have 3 in a keezer setup, which consists of a chest freezer with a wooden insulated collar to raise the lid up to allow for more depth in the freezer, also a handy place to attach the 3 perlick taps i am going to have.

It is controlled with a PID controller, set to on/off mode instead of PID, it reads from a thermocouple, and is accurate to within 0.2 deg.C, it drives a solid state relay which turns the freezer on and off

For my first keg, I had it set to 2.5 degrees, and worked great, once it was down to temperature, it only switched on for a couple of minutes an hour

Unfortunately, the novelty of having a keg in the garage did not/has not worn off, and i emptied the thing way too quickly!

guys, do yourself a favour, and ditch the 1kg of sugar in your brewing, replace it with at least some dried malt extract, your taste buds will thank you!

my next brew will be using the method of BIAB, basically it is all grain using a 40L urn and a mesh bag, it takes a lot more time than kit brewing, and there is more to get wrong, but they say the improvement in taste and 'freshness' is worth it, I can't wait, I hope to get the next brew underway next weekend

**adonuff** · 20th May 2012, 01:43 PM

Its Here

Got it all up and running mid last week, after a few minor teething problems we are now drinking reasonably good beer. Second keg is in and carbonating. The only dramas so far was a stubborn disconnect on the gas line and a bit of a foam drama. Both probs now fixed.

Total cost if anyone is intrested $1100.00, Fridge with 2 Taps, (Kegorator from Keg- King) 3 Kegs with all new seals etc. Regulator etc. Very happy so far looks neat & tidy in the pool room.

Would have built my own and saved a few bucks which I'm shure would have worked just as well but work commitments don't leave me with much time.

**Redback** · 20th May 2012, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by adonuff

Its Here

Got it all up and running mid last week, after a few minor teething problems we are now drinking reasonably good beer. Second keg is in and carbonating. The only dramas so far was a stubborn disconnect on the gas line and a bit of a foam drama. Both probs now fixed.

Total cost if anyone is intrested $1100.00, Fridge with 2 Taps, (Kegorator from Keg- King) 3 Kegs with all new seals etc. Regulator etc. Very happy so far looks neat & tidy in the pool room.

Would have built my own and saved a few bucks which I'm shure would have worked just as well but work commitments don't leave me with much time.

Great work, you won't look back

Now as with all sections, we need pics, thems the

no exceptions

Baz

**LandyAndy** · 21st May 2012, 08:06 PM

GOOD NEWS

We need some new blood in here,the old Hombrew has gone a bit flat of recent times.
Andrew

**adonuff** · 22nd May 2012, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the welcome
Will take pics and post them soon
Having a few dramas, the reg is faulty and I am currently creating enough foam to put out a serious oil fire. Still tastes good when settled but takes way too long to pour a glass!
Replacement reg is on the way. At the moment I can set the pressure at 10 psi and an hour later I have 50psi

**Redback** · 23rd May 2012, 07:15 AM

For the time being, set the pressure then disconnect the keg from the gas bottle, only use it to re-gas to pouring pressure, that should help until you get the new reg.

Also don't leave it with the reg open, turn it off until it drops below pouring pressure, 40 to 60psi is a good pressure to leave it at to keep it carbonated if leaving for a long period, 40psi should be a good pouring pressure.

If your getting to much head, you may have over carbonated it, if you think it is, then disconnect it, take it out of the fridge, let the gas out and leave it for 12 to 24 hours letting the gas out every now and then, put it back and re-connect it and try it once it gets cold again.

Baz.

**adonuff** · 23rd May 2012, 05:50 PM

Thanks Redback
Thats what I did and it got me through the night. All is well now got the new reg and for the first time can now pour a proper beer, I thought it was me overgassing the keg but now realise the reg was to blame.

Only prob I now have is everyone wants to try it. The kegs getting empty fairly quick. Might have to get a third fermenter and a few more kegs. Especially since the Lady of the house has requested Ginger beer on tap.

See below for a few pics.

**disco spargs** · 23rd May 2012, 07:40 PM

Have the same keg king set up awesome gear!!

**adonuff** · 24th May 2012, 06:55 PM

We are really happy too
I just got lucky and have convinced the girlfriend we need a couple more kegs. Only so I have room for her ginger beer

. What I need to know is can I carbonate a keg and store it?? If so does it need to be refrigerated?

I want to get a few Kegs in front and not sure how to store them. The little fridge will take 3 kegs, 1 cooling and 2 on tap.

The Ginger beer seems to be brewing up well judging by the fumes and will proberly be an ongoing project, anyone else have a good recipie?

Sitting here with a grin consuming a great beer that cost not much. Waiting for the new fancy brew to finish (Recomended by the Home Brew Shop). It should end up like Kilkenny beer and better? Time will tell.

**LandyAndy** · 24th May 2012, 08:55 PM

No need to fully carbonate for storage.
All I do with fresh kegs is connect to the C02 at pour pressure and "burp" the keg thru the release valve 3 or 4 times to ensure all the oxygen is removed.I then store in a coolish place disconnected from the C02 until required,NEVER had a keg go bad yet,even stored in the shed in an insulated cupboard during the heights of summer.
If you rinse the kegs with boiling water just before filling,there should be no or little oxygen in the keg.Oxygen is what destroys the brew.
I use a plastic hose on the fermenter to "bottom fill" the keg to avoid oxygenation via splashing the brew into the keg.
Andrew

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