Hi all, I recently purchased a kegerator and was wondering if anyone had any info or refrence material on kegging home brew. Thanks!
Do you have a corny keg and regulator for your CO2 tank? I found this video helpful It's definitely not plug and play – getting a good pour is a balancing act. This will get you started though.
Here's the reference I usually recommend to prospective keggers... https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/attachments/0000/1312/Summerzym95-Kegging_How-To.pdf
Welcome. Sure. Dozens, if not hundreds of us have advice. But your question is so general that it is not unlike asking "How do I make homebrew?" How much time do you have? Be sure to read up and ask the specifics as much as you like. Cheers.
You'll also learn a LOT from kegging your first batch. Just like brewing, you'll notice that the second kegged batch will go a lot smoother than the first, and you'll know what to expect.
I snagged a kegerator off of craigslist, which is the reason I want to start kegging. Will I be able to keg as is with this system? Which type of corny keg would be best for this setup?
Probably. But what is it? And it depends on what you mean by as is. If the previous owner was serving from sanke kegs, you'll need ball lock or pin lock quick disconnects for both the gas and beer sides. (These replace the single sanke spear connector thingy.) Ball lock and Pin lock both work for people. I like ball lock, because they normally have a pull-ring pressure relief valve in the lid. But ball lock and pin lock kegs are slightly different dimensions. And the newer kegs being made all have their own dimensions. This could be important as far as how many you can fit in your fridge if space is tight.
I went with Pin Lock but as VikeMan states above, more often than not Pin Lock kegs do not come with a pressure relief valve. I always end up buying a new lid with the PRV when I buy a keg but there are other ways around that.
http://www.amazon.com/Nostalgia-KRS...p/B000HJVYDQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8 this is the model I purchased
Yes, you can serve corny kegged home brew using that system. I don't know the internal dimensions, but by the looks of it, you can probably fit 2-4 cornies in it, possibly depending on exact keg style. You'll need the quick disconnects I mentioned. Did your Craigslist haul also come with a CO2 cylinder and a regulator?
So add quick disconnects, make sure your beer line is appropriately long and (hopefully) 3/16" I.D., and you should be good to go. I mention 3/16" I.D. because 1/4" line takes a hellish length of line to balance the system and avoid foamy pours. Plus, you'll need to make sure your beer and gas line diameters fit your quick disconnect barbs (if using quick disconnects with barbs). Note that normally you use tubing that has a slightly smaller I.D. than the barb size, to ensure a tight fit. Now would be a great time to check out the references people gave you above. It will make everything clearer.
