Being only a novice at looking for a mini-kegertor, as well as a home brewer, what is the recommended CO2 kit for this system?
1874883
I don't see it here on Amazon, but if you go to the EdgeStar website, they call it the "Conversion Kit." The regulator is pretty bottom of the line so you have to make small adjustments or you will overshoot the pressure.
303763
The Fizz Giz comes with a product guide that will let you purchase the home station. It works with standard CO2 cylinders from 5-20lbs that you'd find for beer carbonation, or you can use paint ball tanks. Yes they're ok for use in carbonating beverages, but if you're concerned Amazon sells a beverage grade CO2 paintball tank. The nice thing is that you can put the tank under your sink or in a cabinet, you can easily disconnect the tank, pop a co2 bulb in and you're free to take it on the go to work or party. Can't put the other carbonators in your brief case and carbonate 2 liters of soda at work -- which is a lot less than $1 per can out of the vending machine! The Fizz Giz comes with a product guide that will let you purchase the home station. It works with standard CO2 cylinders from 5-20lbs that you'd find for beer carbonation, or you can use paint ball tanks. Yes they're ok for use in carbonating beverages, but if you're concerned Amazon sells a beverage grade CO2 paintball tank. The nice thing is that you can put the tank under your sink or in a cabinet, you can easily disconnect the tank, pop a co2 bulb in and you're free to take it on the go to work or party. Can't put the other carbonators in your brief case and carbonate 2 liters of soda... » Read More The Fizz Giz comes with a product guide that will let you purchase the home station. It works with standard CO2 cylinders from 5-20lbs that you'd find for beer carbonation, or you can use paint ball tanks. Yes they're ok for use in carbonating beverages, but if you're concerned Amazon sells a beverage grade CO2 paintball tank. The nice thing is that you can put the tank under your sink or in a cabinet, you can easily disconnect the tank, pop a co2 bulb in and you're free to take it on the go to work or party. Can't put the other carbonators in your brief case and carbonate 2 liters of soda at work -- which is a lot less than $1 per can out of the vending machine! « Show Less
1248209
A gigantic brew pot (to hold 5 gallons, so something bigger than 5 gallons to deal with the boilover)... it needs to be clean (no burnt scraps or chips from the bottom that could get into the brew, I recommend steel), big wooden stir paddle during boiling. Depending on how much time you have... if you have to perform a quick cooldown after brewing, you'll need ice. I would also recommend another airlock because the one that comes with the kit is fragile and breaks easily. Sterility is very important for all the equipment!
1071325
You would need an adapter, however it might be better for you to just purchase any of the non-mini aquatek regulators. They are slightly more expensive but are meant to be used with regular co2 tanks. Also, they are much more modular then this one making them easier to clean.
590211
It has been a long time since I tried home brewing, but from what I remember (and from studying the culinary arts for many years), I would suggest that the digital thermometer would be more accurate than the IR (I also have one of those and use it almost daily). Unless you already have an IR, don't buy one just for this. If you already have one, try them both out. I am sure you will find this digital the best of the two by far. :) (Right on KWS...it is not "instant", but 5 secs or so is about as instant as you can get without spending $100 or more)
350651
All kegs need CO2. You can carb. With sugar, but you will need CO2 to push the beer. Even a small 5 lb. Tank of gas will last a good long time.
350652
Yes; it does need a CO2 tank to maintain the pressure in the keg. I have 3 of these kegs in my kegerator which uses a 5 lb CO2 tank. Also needed is a pressure regulator between the CO2 tank and the kegs to keep the pressure around 10 PSI. Cheers.
1709722
primo co2 will work. some flavorstation machines come with 2 nozzles for tank that will work with flavor stations and soda stream co2 bottles.
1534922
I don't think it will its a one gallon keg with tap at bottom but that said it an awesome little keg I usually keg and CO2 carbonate all my home brew but with these I can take a gallon from each batch and naturally carb some for comparison
299206
This is a great kit for a beginner, I brew about 1 batch a month and this kit is perfect. If you are looking for perfection get a kit with a glass carboy.
761842
I'm no sure, I just used plastic tubing and set the pressure of the keg to about 3-5 psi and it worked great!
865588
Quite a bit more, a 7.5 gal or larger kettle, a 10 gallon minimum round or square cooler with a ball valve, a smaller cooler with a ball valve as a hot liquor tank, various lengths of silicone tubing, mash paddle or spoon, and some form of false bottom or manifold for inside your mash tun. There are myriad other items that would be helpful/necessary. Likely propane bottle and burner as well. I would recommend at least a couple of batches of extract brewing first, but going all grain is not that bad. DO your reading on all grain, there are a lot more factors to control, but your beer will often be fresher with less chance of stale ingredients. Quite a bit more, a 7.5 gal or larger kettle, a 10 gallon minimum round or square cooler with a ball valve, a smaller cooler with a ball valve as a hot liquor tank, various lengths of silicone tubing, mash paddle or spoon, and some form of false bottom or manifold for inside your mash tun. There are myriad other items that would be helpful/necessary. Likely propane bottle and burner as well. I would recommend at least a couple of batches of extract brewing first, but going all grain is not that bad. DO your reading on all grain, there are a lot more factors to control, but your beer will... » Read More Quite a bit more, a 7.5 gal or larger kettle, a 10 gallon minimum round or square cooler with a ball valve, a smaller cooler with a ball valve as a hot liquor tank, various lengths of silicone tubing, mash paddle or spoon, and some form of false bottom or manifold for inside your mash tun. There are myriad other items that would be helpful/necessary. Likely propane bottle and burner as well. I would recommend at least a couple of batches of extract brewing first, but going all grain is not that bad. DO your reading on all grain, there are a lot more factors to control, but your beer will often be fresher with less chance of stale ingredients. « Show Less
2159604
No, you will have to have the Co2 tank filled on your own. Cost about $15 to fill it and should last for 5-7, 1/4 to 1/2 kegs.
318645
Mike F. DO NOT BUY THEM!!! I had to buy all new from MicroMatic & they are worth the extra $$$$. All I had was wasted CO2 tanks at the brewery, all in all set me back a few hundred dollars on CO2. These keg couplers are horrible!!!!
1111308
I did not but I've only had two heinikken kegs. I mostly use my own with the co2 attachment.
1846399
Yes and yes. the kit comes with everything u need to other than the co2 tank. the co2 hose and fitting is included and the instructions are good. its pretty straight forward anyway just be SURE you do not drill a hole in the sides where the refrigerant lines are located. Happy drinking !!
846808
The diffuser works great! For a ten gallon I would use a smaller model. I highly recommend the fluval co2 systems, easy to operate, and set up. Adjusting the air flow is easy. Instructions are easy to follow if you have never have used a co2 system before.