Keezer gas manifold and fitted taps? Collar questions!

[Wozboy]

Hi,

I'm just about to start this project and I'm trying to decide whether to buy a gas manifold to distribute to all the kegs. I normally would just clip in and out when a keg needs pressurising but obviously this would be cool to hook up but is it just an extravagance? Who's done it and would they recommend doing it? I'll probably have about 10 kegs in when I'm finished so a fair bit to monitor.

I'm also looking at whether to put in taps in the collar of the keezer for dispensing or just drill holes and use party taps. The chrome look great but they are expensive and also will be difficult to clean, well not difficult but not as easy as taking a tap off and soaking. Again what have other people done? I'm warming to doing proper taps for aesthetic reasons as it's be just like a bar and would look very impressive, any good deals on taps out there?

Finally for the collar I was just looking to use 2x4 all the way around, do I need to insulate any further than this? I was going to stick it down with silicon all the way around and mitre the corners and wood glue and maybe provide additional metal bracing,any thoughts?

Many thanks as always for any help on this, advice and guidance always gratefully accepted!

Cheers

[Cobnut]

If you're going to run all your beers at the same pressure, then a simple manifold is probably fine, but if you plan on having different beer styles, then you really need a set of secondary regulators so you can set each beer at its' own pressure.

Costs a bit more, but gives you more control and flexibility.

Major investment if you're going to have 10 taps though!

[Jocky]

Secondaries can be daisy chained and have their own on/off valves, so remove the need for a manifold if used, and you can either add one at a time as you need them or put a Y/T splitter after them to supply more kegs.

Reconditioned pub ones are also pretty regularly available on ebay for £15-20 or the new kegland ones are up on there or Ali for under £15.

[Jocky]

On the collar I think you'll want a little insulation, particularly at the joins with the keezer body and lid or you'll get a lot of condensation.

[McMullan]

I used XPS to insulate the collar on my keezer and Gorilla glue to stick it on, which doesn't eat away at the foam.

[orlando]

I based mine around this build. I recommend getting long shanks to facilitate getting taps in and out for cleaning and hooking up.

[McMullan]

If you were to go to any bother to make it look presentable, I'd recommend mounting taps at 'bar height' on top, using a tower or a box.

[orlando]

If you were to go to any bother to make it look presentable, I'd recommend mounting taps at 'bar height' on top, using a tower or a box.

Particularly in the front room/entertainment area. I'm fairly sure my Mrs. would insist .

[IPA]

Here is one I built a couple of months ago

[Wozboy]

Here is one I built a couple of months ago
P1010517.JPG

Cool build, looks great, I'll definitely be installing a drip tray!

[McMullan]

If you were to go to any bother to make it look presentable, I'd recommend mounting taps at 'bar height' on top, using a tower or a box.

Particularly in the front room/entertainment area. I'm fairly sure my Mrs. would insist .

Yes, I tried that and fooled myself I got away with it. Thought I was being smart, but it actually created a lot of work. I might finish it this year or I might just leave it in the cave

[Wozboy]

I used XPS to insulate the collar on my keezer and Gorilla glue to stick it on, which doesn't eat away at the foam.

What thickness of XPS did you use and how effective has it been? I've only just got around to building the collar but I'm at the final stages so I'm now looking at insulating. I'm extremely excited as I also have four kegs of new beer to try which is ready to drink more or less, I suppose a year indoors will do that to a man!

[McMullan]

It's usually available in different thicknesses. I cut mine using a hot (nichrome) wire. If you can't do that just glue thinner pieces together.