This will be my first kegerator. Do I need to buy a keg? Rent one? How long will the beer be good for? Any extras I need to buy besides the keg? Th
1934012
Normally, when you buy a keg from a liquor store, you pay a deposit fee of like $25-50 to make sure you bring it back. That would be like "renting" a keg. You can also buy empty ones on Amazon, but that is more for home brewing. This machine is nice because if you own a keg, you can brew beer, transfer it directly from the glass carboy into your empty keg (once it is fermented of course), and you don't have carbonate it because the CO2 in the kegerator does that for you or worry about bottling it.
1527039
We've got a nice place here in town that also has the 5 L minikegs. Warsteiner, Einbecker, Paulaner, etc. But I've noticed that they are rather different design of keg than the heineken. Do those gravity pour mini kegs still work in the BeerTender?I can't really stomach heineken, but if these other minikegs will work in it I'm sold.
783200
Use it just like it is. It does not require any attachments to fill or pour beer. It's essentially just a stainless steel growler bottle shaped like a Sanke keg.
471503
You will need to fill the co2 tank. Personally I ended up switching out everything on it a couple of months down the road and just kept the fridge and the mount for the tap. Remember to put a cheap fan in the back of the fridge to keep the air flow going or else it will only get temps of about 45%.
1527037
Agree that other kegs would be great. What really bothers me is that I have to throw away the dispenser lines that come with the keg...then spend $12 on new lines. I have re used them in the past until one finally broke and sprayed Heineken all over my kitchen. Can you get these things in bulk to bring the price down???
985731
Off the top of my head, there are a few things that are likely duplicated. The primary fermentation bucket and the airlocks, and possibly one of the hoses. With that, I think this is an excellent kit. The glass carboy and corker would not be in the beer kit, plus this kit has a few nice extras like a spring loaded bottler. It is nice to have this kit altogether so you know you have everything you need.
16653
Hello Danielle, 3-5 Psi is the correct answer. I am on my 8th barrel and this kegerator keeps working flawlessly.If you run it at 10-12 Psi as recommended it will be mostly foam for your first couple beers. 3-5 will be a slower but smoother pour. Enjoy! Remember you can always pull the ring on the coupler to lower the pressure instantly.
1338934
From what I have read, you will need the kit if the kegs are non-pressurized. Heineken and Newcastle are pressurized, so I have been pretty content.
1338930
You would need the accessory kit for any non-pressurized keg. I am even going one step further and getting nalgene plastic growlers from my favorite local brewer and directly tapping them. I had to engineer a rubber stopper with a hole in the middle that would fit the growler though. You might be able to buy something like that even. The reason: The growler is dishwasher safe and much easier to clean than those damn mini kegs.
1900466
it's really a month to be on the safe side. 2 weeks sitting in the keg, 10 days sitting in the bottles then a few days in the fridge. It's good...but since mr beer was bought out by "Coopers", the prices went way up on refills...so not sure it's worth it anymore.
1885645
To be honest the keg doesn't last long in a house full of boys However if it stays in the beer tender and you keep it plugged in it should last a few weeks definitely no longer than a month.
1667942
Not long at all; once you have opened it and poured the first glass I would try and finish it that day. The stainless steel walls keep it cool for a bit but there is no pressurization... There are growlers on the market, I have them, that are double insulated and can be charged that keeps beer cold and fresh for longer but you are going to pay more. Google drink tanks if you are interested
1103336
Sir, if you are brewing your own beer my suggestion is this. Do what I did, when you get your kit, promptly go to your nearest Kmart, walmart etc, and get a tub of Oxy Clean. Be sure to get the stuff without Chlorine or bleach**! As this would be dangerous. I sanitize all my equipment with this. Happy brewing! Regards, Mattasaurus
1714273
I'm not entirely sure. If you plan on getting a kettle like this, spend the extra money and get a wort chiller. It saves time, it's a ton safer and not that expensive. Seriously a trying to move and cool 5 gallons of liquid would not be the smartest thing to do. Not to mention the amount of ice needed to cool it efficiently. NY Brew Supply has some for 60 bucks. Also as i responded to another person, when i got this kettle it leaked through the side, like, not the holes for the therm and valve, but through the actual metal. I got a similar kettle from Morebeer for like 30 bucks extra and it is very good. Check them out. I'm not entirely sure. If you plan on getting a kettle like this, spend the extra money and get a wort chiller. It saves time, it's a ton safer and not that expensive. Seriously a trying to move and cool 5 gallons of liquid would not be the smartest thing to do. Not to mention the amount of ice needed to cool it efficiently. NY Brew Supply has some for 60 bucks. Also as i responded to another person, when i got this kettle it leaked through the side, like, not the holes for the therm and valve, but through the actual metal. I got a similar kettle from Morebeer for like 30 bucks extra and it... » Read More I'm not entirely sure. If you plan on getting a kettle like this, spend the extra money and get a wort chiller. It saves time, it's a ton safer and not that expensive. Seriously a trying to move and cool 5 gallons of liquid would not be the smartest thing to do. Not to mention the amount of ice needed to cool it efficiently. NY Brew Supply has some for 60 bucks. Also as i responded to another person, when i got this kettle it leaked through the side, like, not the holes for the therm and valve, but through the actual metal. I got a similar kettle from Morebeer for like 30 bucks extra and it is very good. Check them out. « Show Less
669491
I agree w/ Danny. Sorry to get back to you so late. All I did was assemble the parts as this is weldless & I have had no problems w/ my kettle thus far. If you ever plan on doing big beers or more than 5 gallons then this is for you. I haven't done a 10 gallon batch just yet but I hope to some day. I find that this easily accommodates my needs & can last me another 25 years for all types of brewing styles & volumes. The only negative I would say is that if you don't ever plan to go more than 5 gallons then this is simply too big. That or if you planned to do a very high concentrated wort by boiling the wort over 3 hours - if you aren't going to do these things then just get an 8 gallon. I agree w/ Danny. Sorry to get back to you so late. All I did was assemble the parts as this is weldless & I have had no problems w/ my kettle thus far. If you ever plan on doing big beers or more than 5 gallons then this is for you. I haven't done a 10 gallon batch just yet but I hope to some day. I find that this easily accommodates my needs & can last me another 25 years for all types of brewing styles & volumes. The only negative I would say is that if you don't ever plan to go more than 5 gallons then this is simply too big. That or if you planned to do a very high concentrated wort by... » Read More I agree w/ Danny. Sorry to get back to you so late. All I did was assemble the parts as this is weldless & I have had no problems w/ my kettle thus far. If you ever plan on doing big beers or more than 5 gallons then this is for you. I haven't done a 10 gallon batch just yet but I hope to some day. I find that this easily accommodates my needs & can last me another 25 years for all types of brewing styles & volumes. The only negative I would say is that if you don't ever plan to go more than 5 gallons then this is simply too big. That or if you planned to do a very high concentrated wort by boiling the wort over 3 hours - if you aren't going to do these things then just get an 8 gallon. « Show Less
1993465
About 4 months, depending on the conditions your kegerator is in (i.e inside / outside / temps) If it's in indoor use one around 4 months
1667941
Pretty much the same as any other growler out there. Once you introduce air (open and take a pint) the clock starts ticking. If you are looking for something to keep draft beer carbonated while you enjoy it for several days or a week, check out GrowlTap. It was originally called TapItCap which screws onto most glass growlers and you have a tap and CO2 hooked up to it. I love mine and it does a great job keeping beer fresh.