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Author Topic: Draft Brewer keg system  (Read 3776 times)

Offline mharding73

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Draft Brewer keg system
« on: December 21, 2015, 07:42:28 pm »
I am seriously thinking about kegging  some of my beer now.  Is this the right way to go for the $$?  Maybe I can catch it on sale in the near future.  Maybe piece it together cheaper?  Other good options?  Thanks all. 

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/kegging/draft-brewer-single-keg-system

Offline Stevie

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Re: Draft Brewer keg system
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2015, 08:01:28 pm »
Their regulator has some poor reviews. You could certainly piece the same specs together yourself for less.

Offline beersk

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Re: Draft Brewer keg system
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2015, 07:24:12 am »
Oh yeah, you could get the same for less. New kegs at Adventures in Homebrewing for $75ish, a good regulator for $100 or less, disconnects and lines, you could make off for less than $200. That regulator has issues with creeping. A friend of mine had that issue and Northern Brewer had to send him a new one. Not sure if the new one will hold up either. Who knows.
That system doesn't even come with a co2 tank. You may be able to throw down a deposit at your local welding shop and just get replacements when you run out.
Jesse

Offline factory

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Re: Draft Brewer keg system
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2015, 07:35:47 am »
Can't speak for the quality issues the above posters refer to, but I put together my own 3 gauge regulator (one gauge for the pressure in the co2 tank and one each for the keg pressures).  All said and done it wasn't much more than $125 or so IIRC.  Also, look at the MoreBeer website for Torpedo Kegs.  They are new and about the same price as used ball locks.  I only have one of them, but it is a very nice keg IMO, and you don't have to fuss with getting used kegs that don't seal correctly.

Offline jeeyeop

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Re: Draft Brewer keg system
« Reply #4 on: December 29, 2015, 10:39:41 pm »
Man I'm tempted to pick up the Flex Keg system as well 288 for 2 brand new ball lock kegs, lines, and a regulator seems great for a first time kegger. But yeah, there are some s***ty reviews for the regulator

Offline beersk

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Re: Draft Brewer keg system
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2015, 07:19:12 am »
Yeah, spend your money on a better regulator.
Jesse

Offline narcout

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Re: Draft Brewer keg system
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2015, 12:02:02 pm »
Nothing against Northern Brewer (I order equipment and ingredients from them regularly), but I would skip that setup and piece together your own.

Taprite Dual Gauge Regulator: $65

http://www.morebeer.com/products/taprite-dual-gauge-co2-regulator.html

There are a lot of options for both new and used kegs.  Here is one of them - 5 gallon Torpedo keg: $90

http://www.morebeer.com/products/torpedo-ball-lock-kegs.html

Then you need one gas and one liquid disconnect ($6 each).  I like the flared versions opposed to the barbed versions:

http://www.morebeer.com/products/ball-lock-beverage-flare.html?site_id=9

http://www.morebeer.com/products/ball-lock-gas-flare.html?site_id=9

You will also need gas and beverage tubing.  I don't know what your setup is like, but I would get at least 5 feet of gas tubing.  I would also get about 10 feet of 3/16 inch beverage tubing.  Read up on how to balance a draft system to prevent foaming (it isn't very complicated and there are a lot of resources on the web; use more beverage tubing than you think you need, it usually doesn't harm anything and you can always cut it shorter if you want).

To connect tubing to flared disconnects you need a barbed swivel nut, like this: http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/kegging/tubing/clamps-etc/barbed-swivel-nut-k123

Then you use a hose clamp to secure the tubing to the barbed swivel nut.  You can use the regular worm gear style clamps, but I much prefer stepless ear clamps for permanent (or at least semi-permanent) connections. 

They look like this: http://www.northernbrewer.com/stepless-clamp-no-145-oetiker

They do require a special clamper.  You can often find them on Ebay or other on-line shops for less than half of what homebrew shops sell them for.  This is what it looks like: http://www.quill.com/oetiker-manual-closing-tools/cbs/258045.html?cm_mmc=CSE_SDC_258045&mcode=CSE_GGL_258045

Don't forget extra clamps to secure the gas tubing to the regulator and to secure the beverage tubing to your faucet.

I'm assuming you are planning to start out with a picnic faucet: http://www.morebeer.com/products/hand-held-beer-faucet.html

Also, for future reference, for any metal to metal connections you want to use a flared washer, like this: http://www.morebeer.com/products/flare-fitting-washer.html?site_id=9

You do not need flared washers for the connections to the disconnects, as the disconnects already have a built-in washer.

I think that puts you somewhere around $180 (assuming worm gear clamps instead of the stepless ones) plus another $15-$20 for tubing.  That doesn't include shipping, though I think you can get free shipping from MoreBeer and NB has $7.99 flat rate shipping for a lot of items.

For a CO2 tank, I would call you local Airgas distributor and ask them how much to get in the program for a 5 or 10 lb. tank and then shop around on-line to see which is less expensive.

It's also a good idea to have a little keg lube on hand: http://www.morebeer.com/products/cip-film-keg-lube-4-oz.html?site_id=7
Sometimes you just can't get enough - JAMC

Offline mharding73

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Re: Draft Brewer keg system
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2015, 12:21:00 pm »
Thanks guys.  Good info. 

Offline beersk

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Re: Draft Brewer keg system
« Reply #8 on: December 30, 2015, 01:40:17 pm »
Adventures in Homebrewing also has great prices on quality kegging equipment...just as another option. www.hombrewing.org
Jesse