Taking the plunge

[FedoraDave]

Well, more like dipping in my toe.

I've wanted to get into kegging for quite some time, now. A couple of things have roadblocked it, not always with validity. One thing is cost (hardly invalid). The original outlay can be spendy, and I don't have wads of cash lying around the vast palatial estate; at least, not like I used to before that insider trading unpleasantness.

Another thing was uncertainty about how to approach it. Build my own, or purchase ready-made? Advantages and disadvantage to both, relating to cost and my limited DIY ability.

There was also the fear of the unfamiliar. Not altogether valid, but not to be completely dismissed, either. I feel sort of like the teenager who gets behind the wheel of the family sedan for the first time; excited, but very nervous; eager, but unsure. And there's the grown-up in the passenger seat, with his years of driving experience, telling me it's not as difficult as I think. He knows more, and I know he's right. But somehow that's not a comfort when it comes to actually negotiating traffic in a two-ton rolling metal box.

But my new LHBS has made it a little easier for me. They sometimes have classes on building your own kegerator. They will also talk one-on-one, when they have the time between customers, about lots of different aspects of brewing and storing said brew. They also have a Customer Loyalty card that they initial for every purchase over something like $20. Get ten initials, get a discount on the next purchase. This is probably what tipped the scale, for me. I decided I can purchase components this way, little by little, get familiar with the process by asking questions, and probably by the time I've accrued everything necessary, I can go ahead with the build. Or, rather, my brother, Ed, can go ahead with it. He's used to building things, he's got the tools, he's agreed to do this for me, and he likes my homebrew.

So today I'm going to purchase the ingredients for a batch of FedoraDave's American Ale, the ingredients for a batch of Lime Cerveza, and probably a corny keg with hoses and connectors. And so my grand adventure begins.

[mtsoxfan]

Time is a great thing to have. When I started, money was/is an issue. I looked around for a starter set up. I ended up getting two reconditioned ball lock cornies, spare o-ring kit, two picnic taps, dual gauge regulator (one for line pressure, one for tank) splitter valve for co2, and a brand new 5# tank, all for $194. shipped. Things do go on sale, and in my case, savings of $20-$30 on this set uo made it possible. I'm not sure if it was MoreBeer, or HomeBrewStuff, but deals are out there, whether now or soon.

The LHBS discount card sounds like a great way to not only build an ongoing relationship you have, but additional discounts as well.

Building a kegerator really is an easy process with some basic tools. The hardest part, which you have covered is the planning out of what you'll have in terms of available space, and what you'll want room for inside.
Brew On...

[jimjohson]

just starting off also, I got 4 kegs so far, and the first one is in the fridge chilling. like you said not cheap! so been buying a couple kegs at a time, going to use a picnic tap and co2 cartridges. next tax time I'll get a co2 tank, gauges. and lines. then I'll be able to force carb, 'till then I'll be natural carbing. this way might not cut down the wait for beer, but it sure cuts down the bottling time.

[Inkleg]

Uhm wait, this hobby is supposed to be cheap?

Great analogy Dave, we are all nervous when we try new things related to this hobby of ours.
Man I still remember some of the nOOb questions I ask. and still do .
And once we do it we wonder what all the fuss was about.

Congratulations on getting into another aspect of brewing. You are really going to like it.
As per Borg normality, please ask any questions you have.

[Rebel_B]

You won't regret going into kegging. You can still bottle and keg from each batch, give away bottles, drink from the keg!

[FedoraDave]

Thanks, guys!

Rebel, I'll still be bottling on a regular basis, because I often make 2.5 gallon batches. And I doubt I'll be able to drain two five-gallon kegs before I've got another fiver ready to bottle. But having beer on tap will be the ultimate cool.

Jeff, I remember how nervous I was to begin steeping grains! Yeah, we look back and go Was I that much of a n00b? Yep, and that's why we're patient with the n00b questions we field here, and that's a good thing.

I got a regulator today. Saved a double sawbuck on my entire purchase, which means essentially I got my grains and hops slightly over half-price, and that ain't a bad thing. I'm also entered in a gift certificate giveaway, by virtue of having my Loyalty Card completely filled. Hey, it's a chance for free stuff!

Ed has agreed to come down to the LHBS and get some first-hand tutoring on the build when the time is right. And Ed is good with this kind of stuff. Damn good. I'm sure he'll understand more than I will, and he'll have no trouble with it. And the owner told me, "Any questions, just call, and we'll talk you through it."

These guys are serious as a pimple on prom night, and that's why I'm a dedicated customer.

[Gymrat]

Once you go keg you'll never go...hmm..what rhymes with keg? I'll get back with you on this one.

[FedoraDave]

Once you go keg you'll never go...hmm..what rhymes with keg? I'll get back with you on this one.

Once you go keg you never renege.

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

[Dawg LB Steve]

Every next step in the progression to me was major stress, until I just did it. But I had a bit of a head start, a keggerator came available to me in very good condition and cheap! I kegged 3.25 gallons of my MO Freedom SMaSH yesterday and am going to bottle the rest later. Once I got the keg and started cleaning it I found there is nothing to it. Then searching Craigslist for deals in the Madison WI area, gonna be there next weekend for Grandaughters B-Day, I found this and never thought about how easy to have a portable keg cooler! But not at $325 the guy wanted!

[Brewbirds]

Another unit that learned sideways is good.

Cool Score.

[Dawg LB Steve]

I didn't buy that BB, way too much $! Interestingly I came across it and thought how easy to build a portable one! The keg fridge I got was $225, now I have start collecting kegs find a better tap handle and add a couple faucets to the tower!