I have been reading multiple posts here on BA and elsewhere and still need some help. I am hoping my wife will get me a keg system for Christmas but I need to tell her what to get. I am probably going to get a new keg for the first one. From what I am reading I will likely go with ball-valve unless you guys have a good reason not to. Where I really need help is the regulator/co2 distribution. There was a recent thread where people recommended buying a kit that will handle more than you plan to use so there will be room for expansion. My questions are: 1. Do most of you use a dual regulator so that you can provide different co2 levels at the same time? Was thinking about this one: http://www.midwestsupplies.com/governor-double-body-co2-regulator.html 2. Do you buy or build your own co2 distributors? Probably looking at just one of these for now. Or maybe I don't even need this since I can carbonate 2 different kegs with the dual regulator. http://www.midwestsupplies.com/2-way-co2-distributor-1-4.html 3. Anyone use quick connectors? Any other advise or things to watch out for would be appreciated. I think I am ready to give up bottling! Thanks
1. I use this dual regulator. http://www.homebrewing.org/Taprite-Dual-Body-Regulator_p_2956.html 2. I bought my two distributors. I have a 3 and a 2 outlet, and if I could go back I would have gotten another 3 outlet instead. 3. I do not use quick connects. I also just ordered a new ball-lock keg from AIH, that they are having manufactured, so I can't speak to the quality yet. But the reviews seem promising. I also have a new Italian (AEB) made keg, and 3 used ball-lock kegs. All work, and function well.
1. I use a single primary regulator with a wye, one output to keezer and aux output for everything else (beer gun, tank purging, carboy transfer, etc) 2. I have three secondaries, all with wyes. So I can distribute three different pressures to six different kegs. I always have at least two different pressures set and occasionally need the third. With secondaries you can add on as many additional regulated outputs as you can afford. 3. I have a quick disconnect from my tank to the keezer and use it constantly. You didn't ask, but I solicited the Home Bar Forum for advice about flare versus barb fittings on the gas QDs. I went with flare and life has been easier. Before you buy your CO2 tank check your local gas distributors. Decide if you'll be exchanging or refilling before you buy your tank (pros and cons either way, usually decided by your local network). Oh yeah, don't settle for a puny 5 lb'er, size really does matter. Once you see the refill price difference in the different sizes you will know what to get. If you have twice as many tanks as you think you will need you can eek by. Remember, the beauty of all of this is having a pipeline that is delivering a new keg of beer every week or two and the keg will be used to secondary and lager. Just like bottling, you want to overlap several different styles at the same time. If you're talking only two or so tanks you will have extended periods of "no beer ready". Whether you buy new or used, expect the tanks to last a lifetime.
If you weren't aware of this offering, it's worth consideration waiting: http://www.blichmannengineering.com/new-innovations-coming-soon
Thanks for the advice so far. I have a follow up question. Do you guys ever use >30 psi? If not, are there gauges that only go to 30? It seems the ability to dial in small pressures with better precision would help with duplicating carbonation levels from keg to keg.
About the only time I've ever used 30+ psi was looking for a leak. So yes, you can get by with a 30'er and your accuracy will improve a smidgen. Search Google and you'll find lots of 0 -30 psi gauges. You'll want a 1/4" npt fitting which is generic to CO2 regs.
I use above 30 psi every time I force carb a keg. This is because I boost carb, which entails putting a keg in the fridge and setting to around 40 psi, for 36 hrs, then purging the keg and setting the regulator to serving pressure. This brings my keg up to nearly full carbonation in around 48-72 hrs.
That is pretty interesting, hadn't come across this before. I do wonder what "competitive pricing" means to Blichmann...however.
I replaced all my gauges a few months ago with 30 psi for exactly that reason. I quickly went back to 60 psi for the primary for quick carbonating and checking for leaks, for example. I have one primary and multiple secondary regulators rather than two primaries like the one you're considering. This allows me to mount the secondaries in a more convenient location near the kegerator, away from the tank, which is in a closet adjacent to the bar. I have a Y on the output of the primary - one feeds the secondaries, which are ganged together with a short nipple, the other goes to a Quick Disconnect for other things - beer gun, purging kegs, etc. The outputs from the secondaries each go to a 4 way manifold. This allows me two pressures in any combination - enough for my needs.
Buy ONCE. If you think you'll do 2 different pressures, then a dual regulator is the way to go. I have both of mine set to the same pressure most of the time, but the idea of two carb levels is nice. Buy an extra slot for one of your distributors. You'll want a work horse line for carbing kegs and for purging oxygen out of your gear. Mine has a gas connect on it that easily unscrews with a pair of pliers. I fit 6 kegs with taps. I have a 3 way distributor and a 4 way distributor for the two regulator lines.
