Beginner Kegging

[Paul Cannell]

Hi guys,

I have had a bit of a poke around on here looking for some advice and answers to my questions. Haven't had much luck so far. Maybe someone can help.

I am relatively new to brewing with about 6 months under my belt. I've had some success and some disaster, namely exploding herbal tea experiments, extremely fizzy beer and also the opposite extreme of flat beer. I have been experimenting with different extract kits as well as a few batches of wine.

I have a crude setup that I got off an older chap who hadn't used it for a while. Its sufficient, but I am growing a little tied of the bottling process, getting fed up with sediment and I'm keen to solve my carbonation issues.

Thus I am determined to switch to a kegging system, from what i have heard, this seems the likely way to solve all of my issues.

My local brew shop does not stock anything in regards to this and i am having trouble finding out what I need and how to get it.

I have been on trademe but as i don't really know what I am looking for, it's a little hard.

My aims are: 

- Have the ability to have 3 kegs on the go (most likely start with 1 due to financial constraints). 

- Adapt an older fridge (still to be acquired), to house these 3 kegs, with taps on the side or door.

- Possibly the ability to attempt brewing from scratch one day down the track

If anyone out there can help me out with the WHERE FROM and the HOW TO, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Kelly Milligan]

Hey dude,

There's some good news and bad news here, I'll give you the good news first ;)

Kegging equipment

http://www.brewshop.co.nz/ has everything you'd need to set up a basic kegging system (except for a fridge and CO2 bottle). Their prices are great, they've got the best website of any NZ homebrew store, and their service is exceptional.

Bad news
Kegging is expensive. For a 3 keg set up, with a fridge, CO2, taps, lines, regulator you're looking at >$500. The other bad news is that the issues you're describing won't necessarily be fixed by kegging. I'm gonna to get in touch with you via PM to discuss what steps you can take to fix the issues without having to buy anything new - except maybe How To Brew by John Palmer ;)

Cheers

[Crusader-Rob]

I'm also looking to keg, and found the brewshop.co.nz to have a pretty good starter set. dunedin malthouse also have something along those lines, and trade me has the starter set somewhere too.

Sounds like your having a few bottle issues, that suck and hope they sort soon.

I recommend howtobrew by john palmer as well. its a great book, its online too www.howtobrew.com its whats made me improve over the 6 months i've been going.

[Paul Cannell]

Thanks, will definitly look into the book. The main thing that is holding me back in the cost of co2. Looks like I might be in for a $500 setup cost plus the fridge. Is it worth it over what I'm doing now? I'm not quite sure yet. Kelly has been a big help. Now I think I'll consult John Palmer on the topic.

I have a mate in aus who hires a large co2 bottle for $13 per month. If only it was that affordable here!

Thanks for your input.

[Crusader-Rob]

For me Personally, I'd get the process correct in bottling, before starting a kegging system (That'll give you some time to save the money too) I use john palmers method for bottling, and i haven't had an issue.

Either that or spend the money you save, on upgrading your system, or buying ingredients to make good beer. thats what i did. read the book though, its pretty awesome.

[Adam Barnes]

I'm currently renting a bottle from BOC for $15 per month until I can get hold of one.

[Kelly Milligan]

Cool that's cheaper than I thought it was! still though after 1 year my converted extinguisher has paid for itself ;D

[Adam Barnes]

Yea, it's great to get set up as the sign up and bottle collection was all the same day (and no minimum term). I had two batches ready that I didn't want to bottle so this was perfect. I'm in the process of sorting out a converted bottle now.

[Paul Cannell]

interesting! Where in the country are you?

[Adam Barnes]

I'm in Wellington, picked up the gas from BOC in Petone, but I believe they're across the country. Also, some Zip Plumbing stores are agents (ie, the one in Newtown, Wellington) and you can pick up your gas bottle from them.

 

I set up my account via email (filled out the application form, scanned it and sent it to BOC Accounts) and mentioned that I needed it asap and asked if they could get back to me as soon as it was processed to let me know my account number (as this is what is needed to pick up the cylinder).

 

The bottle comes full which you pay for up front, $30 from memory for 7kg, but that should last quite a long time. 

[Vesku]

Hi, I made a short video http://youtu.be/Q9OmLugs3vc about kegging for my brother, I hope that it helps you too.

- I've my taps inside the fridge, the idea is that there's less change to get anything growing on them. I clean my taps after every keg consumed

- One way check valves are great, especially when you start kegging the beer seems to be able to find a way to the gas line and the regulator...

- When cleaning, you can use air (bicycle pump) to pressurize the system. This saves gas.

- Kegs from: http://www.inibrewsupply.com/keg/ If you buy from local shop be sure that you get kegs that have been refurbished, the others leak.

[Vesku]

- CO2 bottles from TM: http://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farming-industry/industrial/other...

[Paul Cannell]

Thanks for your input. This is all very Inretesting and helpful feedback. For the time being, I think I will just stick with the system I have. Partly due to financial constraints, and partly because I'm a little overwhelmed by the complexity of it all. I think I may just focus on trying to improve on what I'm currently doing.

I looked up John palmers book and I have been doing th primin slightly differently. I usually just put 1 teaspoon of table sugar per quart bottle or 1 half teaspoon per regular 355ml bottle then fill it with beer and cap. I will try dissolving the priming sugar in the entire batch before bottling and see if it makes any difference. And maybe I'll try corn sugar, what ever that is.

Also, another few questions, the extract kits I am currently using make 23 liters but John talks about making 19 liter batches from extract kits the same size? Any comments there?

Also, my friend in aus who kegs usually puts his fermenter in the fridge for a few days before transferring it to the keg, (or possibly racking a few times or just letting it sit at room tempeeture for a few weeks) He says this settles alot more of the sediment and clears the beer nicely. I am wondering if this will also work for bottling? Or will it get rid of too much of the yeast and limit secondary fermentation/carbonation?