Looking at doing a keg set up, Is it cheaper and easyer to go with the brew craft setup or designing your own set up, and getting the bits from the likes of Craft brewer, etc?
Whats your thoughts?
Order the Kegs from Steve @ Hallertau, order reco bits, line bits etc from Craftbrewer all done online and arrives at your door what could be easyier, Dont do what I did and by a shety reg off the homebrew store in P North.
I just bought 3 cornies from Steve. I figure there's more enjoyment in the DIY aspect. Will probably source the rest of the parts from either Dunedin Malthouse or Craftbrewer. Unfortunately neither of them do fridges (or chest freezers) to fit, bah!
Go with craftbrewer for all your bits, DMH is still expensive for the recon stuff ($40 for a gas post) where as CB is about $16 AU. Ross may even give you a better price if ordering a bit of stuff!
Designed my own system & have a mixture of kegs from a local mate, Matt Chittea in California & Steve at Hallertau. All are good and a little bit of work keeps 'em all in good condition.
The most risky part I feel is the plastic housing on some relief valves.
Found a regulator setup at a Demolition yard, Beer font, lines & 3 taps from TradeMe & a friendly Beer Tech. Temp controller made up from Industrial bits and Freezer (kegerator) holds 9 keg, hops & the drycol system & pump for the font.
Some risk involved in doing it this way, however there's fun & experience along the way.