New Brunswick Craft Brewers Association

Uncategorized Boards => Welcome Forum => Topic started by: Tom on November 04, 2014, 03:05:45 PM

Title: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Tom on November 04, 2014, 03:05:45 PM
Hello All,
I'm just getting setup with my first Keg system (Hop Dawgs) and will no doubt have a ton of questions you guys are tired of answering. I'll try my best to search the answers first.

Here is my current plan, let me know if I'm on track please.

Got the Hop Dawgs Keg/tap/shank/lines etc...
Got a Danby Designer bar fridge from Costco.
Going to drill hole in center of door for tap, if I get a second keg down the road I think I can use one hole for 2 taps.
Going to get a 10lb CO2 tank from Praxair as they have a swap program so don't have to wait as it is sent away to fill.
Brother makes the beer for now but will get into making it once I get that end setup, phase 2.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: jdueck on November 04, 2014, 03:06:50 PM
Welcome Tom
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Fhilo on November 04, 2014, 03:20:49 PM
Greetings... Looks good!
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Two Wheeler on November 04, 2014, 03:36:25 PM
Welcome Tom!

Just a word of caution, I drilled 3 holes in the center of my kegerator for my three taps. I want to add another, but it would be lopsided. Purely aesthetic though.

Here's an option for you... you can pick up a double tap tower for $84 (select no taps) from Everwood in Halifax https://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/product/polished-chrome-tower-double-faucet/

Put that on top of the kegerator, and it will look more like a traditional unit!

Any way you slice it, you're going to have a fridge that serves beer so it will be awesome!  :cheers:
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Tom on November 04, 2014, 03:49:43 PM
Thanks!

I had thought about the tower option but saw some builds on youtube that got into trying to push cold air up into it and it looked overly involved. I figured I would go with a door shank so that all the line is inside the fridge making it easy. Then perhaps I could use something like this http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/faucets/shanks/BE-DF4-3.shtml (http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/faucets/shanks/BE-DF4-3.shtml) if I need it down the road.

As you said though, beer comes out of a fridge =  happy!
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Two Wheeler on November 04, 2014, 03:52:41 PM
That's neat Tom, I've never seen something like that... that would easily solve the problem!
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: pliny on November 04, 2014, 04:11:42 PM
Hey @Tom (http://nbcba.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2045) , I don't have the same fridge as yours but they are the same dimensions as your fridge.
I put a 5lb co2 tanks and two kegs in there.
Two taps. It's a tight fit but it is two taps.
The 5lb tank goes on the ledge in the back of the fridge.
There are a few mods you have to make to the fridge. e.g.Take a dremel tool or sharp knife to take out inside the door and put some refelectix to insulate.
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Tom on November 04, 2014, 04:21:41 PM
@pliny (http://nbcba.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=211) I like your setup. I was also looking at the 5lb tanks just for that reason but it seems like they are harder to get filled in Fredericton. Where do you get it filled?
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Tom on November 04, 2014, 04:24:11 PM
@pliny (http://nbcba.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=211) Another thing, I was also looking at those trays but didn't think I wanted to put screw holes in the door. It looks like you have yours glued, on or magnets?
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: pliny on November 04, 2014, 04:29:29 PM
Magnets. I don't always use the drip tray. It get in the way after a few beer. :)
I've put the drip tray away for now. Use the $25 for something else. Some guys have some innovative setups on here.

CO2 - Glen Kennedy (458-9750). He lives towards the airport.
5lb isn't harder to fill than any other size. Shouldn't make a difference to anyone. It's discrimination dammit!
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Al-Loves-Wine on November 04, 2014, 04:40:53 PM
+1 for Glenn Kennedy, he fills the cheapest and isn't to sticky on your tank either.
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: DandyMason on November 05, 2014, 07:52:29 AM
Welcome Tom, sounds like you're well on your way!
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: jamie_savoie on November 05, 2014, 08:16:16 AM
Welcome to your new obsession Tom :)
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Tom on November 05, 2014, 08:37:50 AM
@Al-Loves-Wine (http://nbcba.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1173)
When you say he isn't sticky on your tank you mean he isn't picky about what brands/condition he will fill or he doesn't keep it long? Does he fill it on site or have to send it away? I'm now looking at the 5lb tank from OBK as it would leave room in my fridge for a second Keg. I'll call him later today to make sure he will fill those ones.
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Roger on November 05, 2014, 08:57:47 AM
Quote from: Tom on November 05, 2014, 08:37:50 AM
@Al-Loves-Wine (http://nbcba.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1173)
When you say he isn't sticky on your tank you mean he isn't picky about what brands/condition he will fill or he doesn't keep it long? Does he fill it on site or have to send it away? I'm now looking at the 5lb tank from OBK as it would leave room in my fridge for a second Keg. I'll call him later today to make sure he will fill those ones.
He fills on site. He might even have a tank you could buy. You might want to give him a call before you order a brand new one from OBK.
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Tom on November 05, 2014, 09:10:55 AM
Quote from: Roger on November 05, 2014, 08:57:47 AM
He fills on site. He might even have a tank you could buy. You might want to give him a call before you order a brand new one from OBK.
Perfect! Thanks.
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Two Wheeler on November 05, 2014, 12:07:16 PM
If Glenn doesn't have tanks on hand, I was just at Atlantic Fire (industrial park). They have a 5lb reconditioned tank for $98. Includes hydro test and fill. They had a 15lb as well and I think it was $135
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Tom on November 05, 2014, 02:05:10 PM
I had already called Glenn and he didn't have any tanks so I placed the order with OBK. $80 seemed ok and getting a few other odds and ends too.
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Al-Loves-Wine on November 05, 2014, 03:05:12 PM
Well Glenn "may" fill that tank without a Hydro test. He did fill one for me that was expired, but one thats never been done might be different.
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Tom on November 05, 2014, 03:57:09 PM
Hydro Test? I asked him on the phone if I ordered one that was brand new if he could fill it and he said no problem.
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Kyle on November 05, 2014, 09:03:59 PM
A brand new tank, by  definition, should not need a third party hydro test
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Two Wheeler on November 05, 2014, 09:27:49 PM
Quote from: Kyle on November 05, 2014, 09:03:59 PM
A brand new tank, by  definition, should not need a third party hydro test

Yeah, mine came from OBK and Atlantic Fire has filled it 3 times now without Hydro testing
Title: Re: Tom the Newbie
Post by: Al-Loves-Wine on November 06, 2014, 09:58:26 AM
I had to pay praxair to hydro test my new obk tank before they would fill it. I knew there was a reason I stopped paying their ridiculous fill prices of almost 40 bucks.