Advice with a new kegging system

[Pommie]

Hi

After years of bottling I've decided to go for a kegging system. I've seen one for sale on E-bay for $330 (buy it now) with 2 kegs and all the bits and bobs, this seems a decent price?

My problem really comes to the CO2, seen one hell of a lot of post recommending fire extinguishers, renting from BOC etc and also sodastream. Does anyone have any advice o the best option for a newbie bearing in mind cost/value and ease of getting refills. From what I gather Sydney seems a bit of a bugger when it comes to the CO2.

Being ambitious I'm hoping to go for a 2 tap system in the future - would a simple splitter on my gas line be sufficient for this and just gas up a new keg at the pouring pressure of my drinking keg.

Thanks for any advice you can give

Rob (Pommie)

[Ash]

Hey Rob,

Before going to the expense of buying a bottle outright, you could rent a bottle from BOC/Air Liquide with monthly billing so if you decide it isn't for you, you can hand it back at any time & only be up for a month of non-refundable rental rather than a year. I've gone this way so I can't give you much idea about other options.

Yes, a splitter will do the job, though you can get manifolds I believe that let you set different pressures to different kegs.

$330 sounds OK, but freight might make it dearer than it first appears so check out some other places local first & factor in all the costs. Also keep an eye out on the paper & also on eBay for 2nd hand gear - you could save a packet.

Cheers
Ash

[scblack]

Check out CraftBrewer - http://www.craftbrewer.com.au

He can do brand new keg systems for $250 - gas bottle not included.

[Pommie]

thanks for the quick response will do a bit more investigating on sourcing a cheaper keg system

[Pommie]

Had a chat with Ross at Craftbrewer. Great service, talked me through the whole process and equipment. I've now purchased from Ross a full keg system. Slightly more than the price I saw on E-bay but I've got far better equipment and the layout and fitting of the system will be safer and more convenient. Ross did give cheaper alternatives so could have brought the price down if I had wanted.

Top Recommendation - now for the CO2, possibly a rental with purchase when I have the cash

[lethaldog]

So what did you get for how much pommie if you dont mind me asking?

[Pommie]

No problem

Cornelius Kegs x 2;
Dual gauge CO2 Regulator (Harris 601);
Quick Disconnect Barb (Gas in) 2 of these;
Quick Disconnect Barb (Beer out) 1 of these;
Seal Kit (For cornelious keg) dont need this but got one for spares;
Celli Tap - absolutely awesome looking tap and has a creamer & variable flow
Female Twin Adaptor - Thread 3/8 x Tube OD 8mm;
Gas & Beer line (ID 5mm - OD 8mm) - CobraPlus+;
Single Check Valve - Tube OD 5/16 (8mm), didnt need it but recommended to protect the reg;
Two-Way divider - OD 5/16 (8mm) so I can gas 2 tanks at the same time;

Ross is also chucking in some other bits and bobs

all this for under $400. Yep, could get cheaper but but felt confident I was getting a good system that will last

[lethaldog]

Sounds like a good deal to me, well done, im sure it will bring you much drinking pleasure as mine has so far

[rwh]

Now you just need a fridge...

[Pommie]

Fridge isnt a problem, have my eye on one although is it worth discussing with the wife 1st

[lethaldog]

Nup

Thats always a bad move, im sure the wife could come up with better things to spend the hard earned on than a fridge, if you know what i mean

Just buy it and tell her after, that way she isnt given the option to say no

[OldBugman]

wife 1st

or

1st wife

Only time will tell.

[lethaldog]

[Pommie]

Just received the keg system from Ross, absolutely awesome and delivered bloody quick!!!
Dont think the fridge is a topic for discussion and the wife never goes in the shed - whats she doesnt know...............

Still havent located the CO2 supplier as yet but have a couple of weeks I suppose until my brew is ready

Cheers for all your help

[Noodles]

What do they mean by an unrebuilt keg? Does this just mean they need the seals changed?

[Ash]

basically

[rwh]

Generally you can buy kegs reconditioned, or not reconditioned. Reconditioned pretty much means that the seals have been replaced, and it may have been given a clean if you're lucky. Then it's pressure tested to ensure that it pressurises OK.

Grain and grape just sells them on, and gives you a set of replacement seals, so it's then up to you to replace the seals yourself if you want, or just keep them as spares. They're all pressure tested though; so in theory they should work without the replacements. In practice, I've found one of mine holds pressure, the other loses it through the gas IN valve. So I'll be replacing the seals on that one.

[beernut]

Soon you'll be needing more kegs.I started with 5 from G&G @ $70.ea.
If u keep an eye on ebay,Coke & pepsi do an annual clear out of old ones.
I bought 12 last year @ US$11 ea which actually ended up @ AUS$41 ea
landed at my local P.O. with new O rings. It's worth waiting.
In Melb. the local HBS's have some deal going with Liquidair using old co2
tanks whereby we only pay about $17 rent PA and $45 swapover.
If there is no such deal in Sydney, then you'll probably have to pay the going rate as I have to for my oxy from BOC.($16 p/mth rent)It hurts!
It's still better than washing bottles.
Cheers Glenn

[Pommie]

Jeez Glenn, how much do you drink with that amount of kegs

Going to start off with the 2 but already have plans for some more with a 2 tap system and filtration

Now considering "biting the bullet" and buying a CO2 cylinder

[Cortez The Killer]

Kegs on legs seem to have the goods

$300 for the big one though it's a nice little investment

Cheers