hi,
I'm very new.
I've got my first batch of homebrew bubbling away in the corner and i'm looking at the next steps.
From what i've been told and everything i read, kegging is the way to go. so i've decided to try and piece together a 'keggerator' for as cheap as possible.
i've done quite a bit of research and have lots of questions, or assumptions at least.
natually the endgame is to have a lovely piece of furniture that is the centrepiece of any room its in, draws the eye and entices even the dryest to try it out and pour themselves a pint. but for a hobby/way of life... i've just started, and the research i've done, i can get the equipment and build it inside a fridge, and from there, work on the construction project and justify the cost of turning something purely practical into something of joy and wonder... at a later date.
really just looking for some pointers and tips on what i need as the bare minimum to force carbonate a keg and pour a cold pint on demand.
... and also people to correct me when i'm wrong. I haven't laid my hands on any of this equipment yet so this is purely a hypothetical excercise until i know it can be done and the bank card comes out.
budget ã100.
i have a spare small fridge that i know will fit at least 1 keg (prob 2) and a co2 unit.
I'll need a corny keg which i can pick up refurbed for about ã40 delivered.
i need advice on co2. i've found a local fire safety depot that will fill co2 for ã5. which seems reasonable, but i still need to get hands on a co2 cannister. i'm open to ideas where i can get my hands on one or cheap deals. if it makes a difference i'm in the glasgow area. i'm heavily researching this at the moment before moving on as this step seems ridiculously expensive to buy outright the moment.
what i'm a little hazy on at the is the interconnects and tap configuration that i'll need to connect the two.
from my understanding i'll need;
regulator for the co2 unit.
there are what are called dual regulators, which i understand monitor the pressure of the gas cylinder (so you know when its empty) and that of the secondary vessel (corny). i don't know if there are cheaper options that will do the same job. if i intend to add more cornys as i go will a 'splitter' suffice or should i daisy chain regulators, which seems much more expensive but i know people have done it and i realise there is the advantage of being able to force carbonate individual kegs, but if i want to force carbonate a keg, i'm not going to be drinking beer whilst i do it so i can just shut off the other valves in the splitter... right?
can i just mount the regulator straight onto the co2 bottle or do i need a bunch of connectors?
interconnects:
are all cornys the same, as in same threads and specifications, i really don't know what i need for this step. or really any of the steps beyond what this site says
http://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=44
but will these work for my corny keg? hop and grape seems to have them cheaper but seems like a 'convenience' price, so maybe i can find them even cheaper?
tap.
just planing on a party tap... and a significant length of hose to try and deal with frothy problems that i've read about.
so anyhoo, a breakdown...
fridge - free...ish (got one already that's currently used as a beer fridge)
corny - ã40
co2 regulator
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GAXB3HU/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
will this work ã21.50
interconnects for gas in
https://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/beer/...quick-disconnects-co2-grey-for-cornelius.html
which connection fitting to i need? budget ã10 max
thumb tap or party tap
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Budget-Fl...-Homebrew-Home-Brew-Beer-Making-/181670395467
with interconnect, will this work? ã11.12
co2 cannister
i'm pretty sure i can rent one for about ã2 a month, but i'm probably wrong, so call it ã10 for co2 full and ready to use. i think this is ambitious but open to suggestions. worst comes to worst i'll steal one from work and switch it when its empty. still i'd rather a small one that will fit in the fridge rather than a...3ft or 1m tall one to sit outside... like the ones i can 'borrow' easily. a small one works with my end game.
and beer line
long for my 'possible need to regulate foam' with my picnic tap but say 4 metres, never have too much beer line... right...to chop and run...at 75p a meter from hop and grape.
ã3.00
all in... ã95.62 for the first month for the first month atleast and then i'll know where/if/when i want to spend money.
i'm not scared of spending money so if i can make my life ultimately easier for a little more expense, or tips on spending money now to save later then i'm interested. really just don't want to get burned on the wrong purchase.
please tell me where i'm gong wrong and if this will work. i am quick study and appreciate all feedback given.
look forward to hearing from you
first time post, really hope to become a member of the community. Can't wait until i have a time, and the experience to contribute.
I'm very new.
I've got my first batch of homebrew bubbling away in the corner and i'm looking at the next steps.
From what i've been told and everything i read, kegging is the way to go. so i've decided to try and piece together a 'keggerator' for as cheap as possible.
i've done quite a bit of research and have lots of questions, or assumptions at least.
natually the endgame is to have a lovely piece of furniture that is the centrepiece of any room its in, draws the eye and entices even the dryest to try it out and pour themselves a pint. but for a hobby/way of life... i've just started, and the research i've done, i can get the equipment and build it inside a fridge, and from there, work on the construction project and justify the cost of turning something purely practical into something of joy and wonder... at a later date.
really just looking for some pointers and tips on what i need as the bare minimum to force carbonate a keg and pour a cold pint on demand.
... and also people to correct me when i'm wrong. I haven't laid my hands on any of this equipment yet so this is purely a hypothetical excercise until i know it can be done and the bank card comes out.
budget ã100.
i have a spare small fridge that i know will fit at least 1 keg (prob 2) and a co2 unit.
I'll need a corny keg which i can pick up refurbed for about ã40 delivered.
i need advice on co2. i've found a local fire safety depot that will fill co2 for ã5. which seems reasonable, but i still need to get hands on a co2 cannister. i'm open to ideas where i can get my hands on one or cheap deals. if it makes a difference i'm in the glasgow area. i'm heavily researching this at the moment before moving on as this step seems ridiculously expensive to buy outright the moment.
what i'm a little hazy on at the is the interconnects and tap configuration that i'll need to connect the two.
from my understanding i'll need;
regulator for the co2 unit.
there are what are called dual regulators, which i understand monitor the pressure of the gas cylinder (so you know when its empty) and that of the secondary vessel (corny). i don't know if there are cheaper options that will do the same job. if i intend to add more cornys as i go will a 'splitter' suffice or should i daisy chain regulators, which seems much more expensive but i know people have done it and i realise there is the advantage of being able to force carbonate individual kegs, but if i want to force carbonate a keg, i'm not going to be drinking beer whilst i do it so i can just shut off the other valves in the splitter... right?
can i just mount the regulator straight onto the co2 bottle or do i need a bunch of connectors?
interconnects:
are all cornys the same, as in same threads and specifications, i really don't know what i need for this step. or really any of the steps beyond what this site says
http://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=44
but will these work for my corny keg? hop and grape seems to have them cheaper but seems like a 'convenience' price, so maybe i can find them even cheaper?
tap.
just planing on a party tap... and a significant length of hose to try and deal with frothy problems that i've read about.
so anyhoo, a breakdown...
fridge - free...ish (got one already that's currently used as a beer fridge)
corny - ã40
co2 regulator
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GAXB3HU/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
will this work ã21.50
interconnects for gas in
https://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/beer/...quick-disconnects-co2-grey-for-cornelius.html
which connection fitting to i need? budget ã10 max
thumb tap or party tap
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Budget-Fl...-Homebrew-Home-Brew-Beer-Making-/181670395467
with interconnect, will this work? ã11.12
co2 cannister
i'm pretty sure i can rent one for about ã2 a month, but i'm probably wrong, so call it ã10 for co2 full and ready to use. i think this is ambitious but open to suggestions. worst comes to worst i'll steal one from work and switch it when its empty. still i'd rather a small one that will fit in the fridge rather than a...3ft or 1m tall one to sit outside... like the ones i can 'borrow' easily. a small one works with my end game.
and beer line
long for my 'possible need to regulate foam' with my picnic tap but say 4 metres, never have too much beer line... right...to chop and run...at 75p a meter from hop and grape.
ã3.00
all in... ã95.62 for the first month for the first month atleast and then i'll know where/if/when i want to spend money.
i'm not scared of spending money so if i can make my life ultimately easier for a little more expense, or tips on spending money now to save later then i'm interested. really just don't want to get burned on the wrong purchase.
please tell me where i'm gong wrong and if this will work. i am quick study and appreciate all feedback given.
look forward to hearing from you
first time post, really hope to become a member of the community. Can't wait until i have a time, and the experience to contribute.
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