Kegging Dos and Dont's

[Michael]

I finally broke down and bought a C02 tank. I will probably have to get it inspected and get a new tap put on it when I move back to NZ, but I figured it was time to pull the trigger. This brings me to my question...

 

I do not have a fridge for my corny kegs yet. As such, I was wondering whether it is still OK to begin kegging, and carbonating my beer. My house is a constant 20C.

 

If this is possible, and OK to do, are there any steps I should be aware of?

 

In a related note, I have two corny kegs, a two head regulator, and a CO2 tank. I do not have any hosing yet. What else do I need to buy to make this work?

 

Thank you for your help!

[Chris Banks]

The first things that springs to mind is the gas in and beer out quick disconnects to suit your kegs and of course a tap or two!

Picnic taps would prob be the easiest/cheapest?

 

I keg/carb/serve my stouts at room temp without any probs.

[jt]

room temp

 

What's your room temp there Chris ?

I could cope with room temp in the garage at the moment, maybe 10-12C

20C might be a bit harder to swallow ?

[Michael]

This may seem stupid, but if carbing the beer works ok at 20c, i hope to do this, and fill a few bottles and put them n the fridge when i know i will be drinking that night. Hopefully, i can buy a fridge for a song. I do not want to spend much on a fridge since it will not work in NZ.

[jt]

It'll carbonate, but you may have to adjust your pressures to take the temperature into account
there's a few charts around that give you the temperature / pressure you need
Found one here, there's others http://www.homebrew.com/articles/article12018101.shtml

I'm not sure what happens to your level of carbonation if you carbonate warm, then bottle, then chill. Does anyone know if that's ok or if it drops with the temperature ?

 

Oh, but anyway - good move going with the kegs !

[Chris Banks]

Very true should have said basement temp 14- 15c at the mo  -  20c  it might be like a hot choclate!!

[jt]

I wondered if you'd moved a keg or two upstairs Chris - or is that a work in progress  - would you consider running some lines through the garage ceiling ?

[Chris Banks]

I would consider running some lines up and having taps upstairs but somebody else might not be so keen (and I dont mean the cat lol!)

[Michael]

Perfect gentlemen! Awesome advice! :)