BeerBorg

My keg saga continues.

I bought two more kegs online. I was going to buy one in September and one in October, since I wouldn't really need the third one for a while, and spreading the purchases out over two paychecks made sense. But after ordering the first one from Midwest, I realized I'd bought a keg with pin lock connectors, which I didn't want. Fortunately, I found a website (cornykeg.com) that sells converted pin lock kegs, and conversion kits. Midwest sells conversion kits, too, but for twice as much. So, since I needed the conversion kit, I just went ahead and also ordered the third keg.

They all fit in the keezer, although it's a tight fit, and the hoses will need to be tamed and organized, but it'll be doable. I just need some more hose, clamps, and quick disconnects. I'm heading to the LHBS on Saturday for ingredients to make my RCE beer and the following week's fiver of PacTiki Pale Ale, so I'll get it all done this weekend.

And, as I discovered with all the new steps in this crazy hobby, it's really not as difficult or intimidating as I feared.

Thanks to The Borg for all their advice and support. I'll be paying it forward.

Dave,

I got screwed a few weeks back with hoses and costs. I wanted to do it right and got the red gas hose instead of just vinyl tubing. With that comes additional costs which I was willing to pay.... just not 3x the cost I have found it online. The store I bought the tubing from was selling it for $1.50 and $1.80/ft respectively. I have found it at almost a 1/3 of that price online. I know stores are out to make a profit but just be weary with how much your spending. I would have been better off ordering it online and paying the shipping than buying from a store.

Thanks for the reports. I am considering kegging too, though in a small way. I'm looking at 2-3 gallon kegs that can fit in my beer fridge with the bottles. Maybe for Christmas?

Adventures in Homebrewing still has new 5g ball lock kegs on sale $89.00 each and use Coupon Code AIHKegnow for additional $10.00 off. I bought one a couple weeks ago they are nice kegs.

John Sand wrote:Thanks for the reports. I am considering kegging too, though in a small way. I'm looking at 2-3 gallon kegs that can fit in my beer fridge with the bottles. Maybe for Christmas?

Currently I have 4 2.5 gal kegs and plan on getting 2 more w/tax returns. That way can I keg half and bottle half. Gives me a few to haul around/give out. I use Co2 cartridges and a picnic tap so I natural carb not forced carb.

Thanks JJ.

It's hard to believe but the new 5 gallon corny kegs are still a lot cheaper than the 2.5 and 3 gallon kegs. Because they're small enough to fit inside a refrigerator the smaller kegs cost more. Now that I'm brewing 10 gallon batches at some point my smaller kegs will need a few big brothers.

I wondered that as well but I think it's simply a matter that they make much more of the 5 gallon kegs then the 2.5 and 3 gallon ones.

D_Rabbit wrote:Dave,

I got screwed a few weeks back with hoses and costs. I wanted to do it right and got the red gas hose instead of just vinyl tubing. With that comes additional costs which I was willing to pay.... just not 3x the cost I have found it online. The store I bought the tubing from was selling it for $1.50 and $1.80/ft respectively. I have found it at almost a 1/3 of that price online. I know stores are out to make a profit but just be weary with how much your spending. I would have been better off ordering it online and paying the shipping than buying from a store.

I haven't even bothered to check the cost comparisons. I'm not that concerned about the smaller stuff (although I admit I'm glad I found the conversion kit at half the price). And I kind of like supporting my LHBS, even though I've already spent a lot of money there just in grains, hops, and other sundry supplies.

Maybe I just have a little more disposable income, I dunno. I wouldn't spend $100 on a keg, because I know what the going price pretty much is, and that's a lot more money. The hoses...well...it ain't that much, I think.