MitchellScott Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 So I bought a Keg Kit lol. I was kidding myself when I was saying I would bottle for a while hahaha. Just bought this Keg Kit: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Party-Kegerator-Kit-2-X-Reconditioned-Used-19L-Ball-Lock-Keg-System/382648640537 I also have a regulator and 6kg C02 bottle coming. Will be getting a fridge and turning it into a Keezer with the two taps drilled through the front door. Anyone got any tips/tricks I should know before starting my kegging career? Cheers, Mitch. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Check out the original kegging time thread, there's a fair bit of info in the first few pages before it morphed into a topic about whatever we're filling out kegs with. One thing I'd suggest is not buying cheap shit equipment. Buy quality and buy it once, it'll save money in the long run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchellScott Posted May 13, 2019 Author Share Posted May 13, 2019 24 minutes ago, Otto Von Blotto said: Check out the original kegging time thread, there's a fair bit of info in the first few pages before it morphed into a topic about whatever we're filling out kegs with. One thing I'd suggest is not buying cheap shit equipment. Buy quality and buy it once, it'll save money in the long run. Cheers OVB. Will take a look. I know the price of the kit is quite cheap (especially with the ebay coupon codes), but it all looks pretty legit to me. Refurbished kegs with new lids, seals and posts. The only thing I'm a little worried about is the taps but if they do not last I'll swap them out with some Stainless ones. Mitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Watch the lines too. The lesser quality ones have a tendency to split easily. The kegs themselves should be fine though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchellScott Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 9 minutes ago, Otto Von Blotto said: Watch the lines too. The lesser quality ones have a tendency to split easily. The kegs themselves should be fine though. Will keep an eye on it. What lines do you recommend? I might just swap them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 I have Valpar Flexmaster II lines. Still using the original ones I started with nearly 4 years ago. Haven't failed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Baron Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 I have the flexmaster lines too. They are great and will last years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchellScott Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 Thanks guys. If i have any problems I know what I'll buy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchellScott Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 I'm guessing the easiest way to get beer from the FV to the keg is use the bottling valve but put some tubing over the end of it and into the bottom of the keg? If so, does anyone know the tubing diameter to fit over the bottling valve tube? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamus O'Sean Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 1 hour ago, MitchellScott said: If so, does anyone know the tubing diameter to fit over the bottling valve tube? Just measured the tubing I have at 10mm internal diameter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchellScott Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 9 minutes ago, Shamus O'Sean said: Just measured the tubing I have at 10mm internal diameter. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamus O'Sean Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 24 minutes ago, MitchellScott said: Thank you. PS - Just basic food grade clear plastic tube from Bunnings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus96 Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 not a clear pic but you get the idea, I fill the keg with gas before filling to get rid of the oxygen and purge before filling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 I plan to start doing that, just need to get a couple of things to make it happen first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchellScott Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 (edited) 47 minutes ago, Gus96 said: not a clear pic but you get the idea, I fill the keg with gas before filling to get rid of the oxygen and purge before filling. Unfortunately with the coopers fv and new tap the tube won't go over it like that but I should be able to use the bottling valve tube no problem How do you fill with c02 before filling? Just connect up the gas disconnect and purge multiple times? Or is there a trick to it? Cheers. Edited May 14, 2019 by MitchellScott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus96 Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 1 hour ago, MitchellScott said: Unfortunately with the coopers fv and new tap the tube won't go over it like that but I should be able to use the bottling valve tube no problem How do you fill with c02 before filling? Just connect up the gas disconnect and purge multiple times? Or is there a trick to it? Cheers. No tricks, it's that simple. BUT make sure before you open the FV tap let the gas pressure out otherwise you will fill the FV with a rush of bubbles that may ruin your cold crash efforts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 One way you can do it is to completely fill the keg with water, then use CO2 to empty it. With this method the water displaces the air and obviously is fully replaced by CO2. Simply filling an empty keg with gas isn't gonna get 100% CO2 inside it even with purging because all it will do is mix with the air already in the keg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchellScott Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 1 hour ago, Otto Von Blotto said: One way you can do it is to completely fill the keg with water, then use CO2 to empty it. With this method the water displaces the air and obviously is fully replaced by CO2. Simply filling an empty keg with gas isn't gonna get 100% CO2 inside it even with purging because all it will do is mix with the air already in the keg. Not a bad idea.. You would consume a lot more C02 over the period of a year doing it this way though I guess. I think for starters I'll fill through the lid and try to minimise any splashing or bubbles. Then once full give it a good purge 4 or 5 times. Will see how I go with that method and if needed can always change to using a disconnect to fill. 6 hours ago, Gus96 said: No tricks, it's that simple. BUT make sure before you open the FV tap let the gas pressure out otherwise you will fill the FV with a rush of bubbles that may ruin your cold crash efforts. How do you know when your keg is full? Just measure it on the FV before filling or only do 19L batches in the FV? Mitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Yeah that's all I'm doing at the moment without any issues. I wouldn't mind trying it the other way though just to see if it is a bit better. If you do a cold crash prior, the beer creates condensation on the outside of the keg as it fills, which is handy for judging the level. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerlust Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Otto Von Blotto said: One way you can do it is to completely fill the keg with water, then use CO2 to empty it. With this method the water displaces the air and obviously is fully replaced by CO2. Simply filling an empty keg with gas isn't gonna get 100% CO2 inside it even with purging because all it will do is mix with the air already in the keg. Filling the keg with beer & burping it properly does the same thing. If you don't mind kegging the beer at 18°C or above you could do as PB2 suggested & add approx. a teaspoon of sugar/dextrose into the keg before sealing & allow the yeast to mop up the oxygen naturally before you chill it down & force carbonate it to your desired carbonation level. I find people are overly paranoid about oxidation. Short exposure isn't particularly harmful, it's more prolonged exposure that will degrade the beer more rapidly. Cheers, Lusty. Edited May 14, 2019 by Beerlust 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 That's my current process and it works well, but I'm not adverse to trying a different method to compare results. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus96 Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 When I went to a keg demo day at my LHBS it was explained to me that the CO2 is heavier than the air inside so when filling and burping the bad air is expelled before the CO2. I cold crash all my batches so when filling he condensation on the outside is a good indicator of how full the keg is and my FV has indicator marks on the side in litre increments so that also helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 It doesn't quite work that way. Given time, the gases may separate from each other if the keg is kept closed and perfectly still, but if you are simply injecting gas then burping it out again, it will still be mixed with the air already in the keg. The CO2 doesn't instantly drop to the bottom. In any case, the minimal oxygen exposure isn't likely to do anything to the beer. If it's burped properly after filling, it would most likely expel any air remaining since the headspace is quite small. I haven't had any problems from filling an open keg but I wouldn't mind trying a closed transfer, especially since the kegs are filled outside on the patio. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchellScott Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 Thanks guys, awesome info :). Just ordered my 6kg C02 bottle, regulator and faucet caps from Kegland. Can't wait 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MitchellScott Posted May 22, 2019 Author Share Posted May 22, 2019 Quick question guys... I have got all my keg kit/gas bottle etc etc. I have not got my fridge yet though, and my brew is ready to transfer to bottles/keg this weekend. Is it okay to transfer it and start carbonating at room temp? (I'll just set it to about 12PSI and leave it for now). Then when I get my fridge I can transfer everything into it. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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