DIY Mini Keg System for Homebrew with Force Carbonation
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- Step-by-step directions on how to make a mini keg system for home brew.
More homebrew tutorials: homebrewtutori...
The system is not longer for sale as I mentioned in the video... Sorry, but here is a list of items to help you build your own!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mini Keg - (Paid Link) amzn.to/3a5Qp2x
Dual Gauge CO2 Draft Beer Regulator - (Paid Link) amzn.to/2TryuOD
2 ft 1/4 inch copper tube - (Paid Link) amzn.to/3cUlhW3
List of items:
• (2) ¼ inch Nipples - (Paid Link) amzn.to/2M1Lerb
• Rubber Bung - (Paid Link) amzn.to/36kmbZD
• ¼ inch Copper Tubing - 2 feet - (Paid Link) amzn.to/3cUlhW3
• 3/8 X ¼ Brass Compression Adapter - (Paid Link) amzn.to/36nj7Ms
• ¼ inch Male X 3/8 inch Hose Barb - (Paid Link) amzn.to/3cWLXFU
Optional
• Easy turn hose clamp for 3/8 inch tubing
• Easy turn hose clamp for ¼ inch tubing
• ¼ inch Party Tap - (Paid Link) amzn.to/2LLnU0u
• ¼ inch Keg line tubing - 4 feet
• 3/8 inch Keg line tubing - 4 feet
First scene shows the Mini Keg System all set up and how it works.
1. Co2 goes through the regulator and into the Hose Barb.
2. From the Hose Barb the co2 goes into the Threaded Tee.
3. Co2 inside the threaded Tee will try to leave out both sides but the compression adapter will stop it from going up and force it down into the keg.
4. With no where else to go the Co2 travels down the threaded Tee through the Nipple, around the copper tubing and into the keg.
5. The Gray Rubber bung creates a seal at the top of the keg.
6. Once the Co2 is inside the keg the air tight seal produced with the compression adapter will trap the Co2 inside the keg causing force carbonation.
7. Inside the Compression adapter is a ¼ inch copper tube which runs down the nipple, through the threaded tee, through the other nipple and to the bottom of the keg.
8. At the top of the system the end of the copper tube sticks out through the Compression Adapter where ¼ inch Keg Line tubing is connected. Using a Hose clamp that creates an air tight seal.
9. On the other end of the ¼ inch keg line tubing is a Party Tap also with a hose clamp.
10. The whole system is air tight which causes pressure to build inside the keg. Once the pressure is released by opening the party tap the beer will flow freely.
Second scene shows an aerial shot of the items on a white sheet of paper with pieces of paper showing the name of each individual piece.
List of items:
• (2) ¼ inch Nipples
• Rubber Bung
• ¼ inch Copper Tubing - 2 feet
• 3/8 X ¼ Brass Compression Adapter
• ¼ inch Male X 3/8 inch Hose Barb
• Easy turn hose clamp for 3/8 inch tubing
• Easy turn hose clamp for ¼ inch tubing
• ¼ inch Party Tap
• ¼ inch Keg line tubing - 4 feet
• 3/8 inch Keg line tubing - 4 feet
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I never comment on youtube but I found this intructional video extremely clear. Thank you so much Drew for making this video :))
Thanks for the feed back. I’m glad it helped! I wanted this video to be super clear on how it’s made.
First minute of video. As an owner of 3 cats, these cardboard boxes in the background tell me, there must be a cat around. Minute 12. A three legged cat enters the scene. Subsequently, I miss some of your explanations while watching the cat. Finally I'm fascinated of the simplicity of your system with only one tube for the gas to enter and the liquid to leave the keg. Thanks for not cutting the scenes with the little accidents and challenges, I really like your video. DIY like the way it is.
magicwise42 sorry about my cat... he can be a little distracting! I appreciate the feed back. I worked really hard on this video to make sure it was really detailed and showed everything. It took me months to figure out how to do this so thanks for watching!
You can be a weatherman with that voice-lol. Thanks for your vids.
Haha thanks! I was a radio talk show host for years!
This is quality mate. Also in the same boat as you currently home brewing and investigating kegging with limited space 👍
I recently started using a different mini keg that I really like so far. It’s about 2.5 gallons so still very manageable for my tiny space.
One might replace the copper dip tube with a stainless dip tube. Copper and galvanized might react with the beer and ruin the taste. All that aside this is a great idea for the DIY brewmeister.
You’re right! The latest system I made actually uses a steel dip tube with food grad PVC parts as well. ua-cam.com/video/E7uzzGbKN_4/v-deo.html
Would really like to buy 3 of these so i could run 3 kegs of my own bar taps and have just one co2 reg and bottle.
Hi Drew,
This system works amazing!!! Thank you! So far, I've run through 3 mini kegs off my 5 gallon batch, but use the standard Soda Stream bottles (14.5oz bottles); 1 bottle yields about 2 kegs. Also shortened the top copper tube a bit to fit my fridge.
Someone asked about force carbonating the beer after filling it. What I did was cold crash the beer the night before in my mini fridge, force carbonate the keg at 30 psi and roll it gently for about 5 minutes. Repeat this process for desired carbonation level - for me, it took 2 tries. Afterwards, purge any remaining CO2 out of the keg, and set my desired dispensing level at about 12 psi. For a better explanation of the force carbonation process, please check out the following links:
1. HOMEBREW 4 Life: ua-cam.com/video/K4jS3ne4Ohc/v-deo.html
2. Clawhammer Supply: ua-cam.com/video/tjZFCh6WEpU/v-deo.html
Thanks again!
Craig
MrConquistadore thanks Craig! Glad to here it worked for you. Did you have any trouble finding some of the pieces?
I have mine in my mini fridge in the garage and it fits perfectly.
Thanks again!
@@MyProjectWeekend Thanks for your reply Mr Smith.
As for finding all the pieces, everything was fairly easy to find at my local hardware store. The keg I ordered online though, but arrived really fast. The mini-fridge worked well at first, but I ended up inadvertently drilling through one of the cooler lines while trying to install my tap. Back to the drawing board I guess... lol.
The system works as described, & I look forward to using it again and again.
Did nobody notice a 3 legged cat?
His leg just popped off one day!
Hello,
Great video! does the copper tube have to be 2ft long? Or can you shorten it to maybe store inside a mini refrigerator
Thanks Armando! Yes, you can cut the copper tube to whatever length you want. I cut one so it fits inside a fridge too! Works great.
Hi drew do you still sell these
How would force carbination work?
Hi David, I replied to your email but I’m going to post the reply here as well, just in case anyone else has the same question.
Yes, you can use this to force carbonate your homebrew. You are exactly right.
To force carbonate, you simply set up the system and turn on the gas. Let it sit for a few days (2-3) and it will be ready to serve.
Most home-brewers use around 15 PSI for carbonation. This is subject to change depending what type of beer you have and how much carbonation you want.
This website helps me calculate the volumes of carbonation and how much pressure to use when kegging:
www.brewersfriend.com/keg-carbonation-calculator/
hi, just one curiosity, i was wondering if you could use normal compressed air intead of co2, that way i can refill the gas bottle with my compressor instead of buying co2 bottles. thank you
Hi Simone, I wish I had a better answer but I have no idea if you can use a compressor to force carbonate your beer. The main concern would be if it’s food safe or not. Sorry I wish I had an answer.
@@MyProjectWeekend No you cannot as the atmosphere is 0.05% co2. Plus the O2 in the air would spoil the beer.
trimpy100 good to know!
@@MyProjectWeekend Just a heads up, CO2 for paint ball, pellet guns, and bicycle tires is not food grade and contains lubricating oil.
Question... so if i bought this kit in theory it should work with a modern beer tap? Rather than the party hose you shown?
Hi Ben, yes this system should work with other beer taps. It uses standard keg line tubing (3/8 inch) so if you check your system and make sure you can connect the liquid line to your tap via a hose barb it will work. Do you know if your current tap has a hose barb connection?
I am trying to use a mini regulator with a soda stream bottle adapter but I don't need to dispense. I plan to use a commercial dispenser. How can I integrate a pressure relief valve and a dip tube?
So I’ve been thinking about this for a couple of days... I’m not sure exactly how to achieve adding a pressure relief valve. Am I correct in assuming you need to force carbonate these mini kegs and then use them in another tap system? Do you know what brand of tap system you’ll be using?
It is a Nostalgia Homecraft dispenser. I'm planning to try to use the sodastream bottle, through an adapter, to the mini regulator. Then gas out of the regulator, maybe a check valve with a cutoff inline on the way into an elbow that is a 1/4" hose barb on one end for the gas line in and screwing the other 3/8" ID threaded end into the bung. No pressure release for now. Wish me luck.
Kenneth Ryckeley good luck! I’d be very interested in seeing the final product!
@@MyProjectWeekend it works.
Kenneth Ryckeley that’s awesome! Let the beer flow!
Hi,
Do you think it's possible to attach ball lock posts to this system? If so, any idea what thread conversion I would need?
Steve Searle I’m not sure what type thread you would need. At the moment I don’t have any ideas for you but if I figure something out I’ll let you know!
Hi Drew,
You can buy 1/4 inch ball lock posts from eBay. I have just found this out today on my lunch break!
Steve Searle thanks! I just ordered a 1/4 ball lock system on eBay. I’ll post a video once I get it up and running in a few weeks. Thank you so much for the info!
I've been planning something like this! Awesome to see it all laid out, but I have one question. Why don't you use the little dispenser at the bottom to dispense the beer?
Because that would be too easy!! Haha.
I didn’t use the dispenser at the bottom because I wanted to create a system that worked like a regular beer keg. This way you can put the tap wherever you want.
I am actually working on a system that uses a ball valve to force carb the beer so you can use the dispenser that comes already in the keg. Thanks!
Let me know when you get your system together. I’d love to see how it turns out!
Are your kits still for sale?
No, sorry. I only sold one in the 2 years I had it up. Maybe I’ll get another one up once this COVD19 cools down.
@@MyProjectWeekend how much would you sell it for? interested
Just buy the igloo countertop keg-kegerator they are only $70 on eBay
Yes you can just buy one... But where's the fun in that?
True
Definitely sounded like you eat cats!
Richard Burnham did I say that out loud.. Haha
steel fittings? mickey mouse dies.