cornies, polykegs.... definitive setup thread

[barneey]

JMC asked about the plastic spring arrangement in a polykeg - removal to make a fermenter out of the keg.

EDIT Basically grab the basket in 1 hand and the main body in the other and unscrew.



If it wont unscrew take a screw driver and hammer to the thing.

[asd]

Thanks so to start off with my first keg I should find a single stage primary regulator either a welders one or a pub one with a pressure release valve.
If is a pub one I should make sure it's not a mixed gas one as they a different to co2 primary regulator.
( cornies don't need a PRV valve because they have there own)
Later on I can buy secondary regulators one for each keg with beer or lager needing a different pressure as described in Fils excellent guide.
Sorry to go one but I want to get my first purchase right.

Hi - Heron, the major preliminary is to determine your source of CO2 cylinders. No point buying a welding reg, then finding you can only get disposable or Sodastream cylinders locally. Just a thought - apols if you're already on top of it.

Cheers, Chris

I've found my local hydroponics shop a good source for big, refillable CO2 cylinders.

S

[Heron1952]

Just picked up a co2 cylinder, from of all places a camping supplies shop. Which I found googling, it was referred to on an aquarium enthusiasts forum.
Will post on JIms gas tread

[rorymullan]

Has anyone got their polykegs filled yet.

If so pics!

[barneey]

The polykeg fermenter with racking arm

[jmc]

The polykeg fermenter with racking arm

I was thinking the only down side with these was that I couldn't fit a tap (as I hate syphoning)

Assuming you don't have tiny hands, how did you fit the back nut?

[barneey]

Very easily, I`m using a tap with a racking arm. The part of the tap which is housed with the polykeg has the "bolt" already built into it. A simple homemade tool (bent piece of metal + hole) lassoed around the arm inserted through the keg neck and the fitting pushed through the hole, screw on the external attachment (whilst still lassoed) - takes about a minute to perform the task.

The most difficult part is drilling the polykeg - not a very nice material to deal with.

[jmc]

Very easily, I`m using a tap with a racking arm. The part of the tap which is housed with the polykeg has the "bolt" already built into it. A simple homemade tool (bent piece of metal + hole) lassoed around the arm inserted through the keg neck and the fitting pushed through the hole, screw on the external attachment (whilst still lassoed) - takes about a minute to perform the task.

The most difficult part is drilling the polykeg - not a very nice material to deal with.

Thanks barneey. Not seen that plastic rack arm before.
Handy having the thread of rack arm able to fit through the hole during fitting.

It would probably be a bit more difficult to make a tool to hold a tap nut in position inside the polykeg.
Should be possible though as floydmeddler did something similar when he fitted taps to his JerryKegs


Drilling into PET wall of Polykeg
PET is harder and more brittle that PE & PP used on plastic barrels so it must have been harder to drill and avoid it cracking.

I must admit that recently, when drilling FV for taps and PB caps for valves etc, I've drilled hole manually with step drills
I just fit step-drills in a in a screw-driver handle that normally holds screw bits.

Just drill a pilot hole then use the step drills to just where you need it. It avoids the problem where its easy to tear or distort a hole if you use a power drill.

I'll try cutting some holes in PET bottles before trying the PolyKeg.
How thick is the Polykeg wall compared to say a 2L PET bottle?

[barneey]

The thickness is comparable, I used a stepped drill with my hole but it still rags up a little so be careful.

[Heron1952]

My first polykeg filled and gassed.

[asd]

The polykeg fermenter with racking arm

I don't know why you'd do this, it's a bit of a faff - I reckon you just push the brew from your primary to the next vessel via the spear, maybe cut down a few mm, and an "S" fitting, with a bit of CO2, with the non-returns removed. It'd be simpler and there are fewer crevices for bugs to lurk.

Interesting to see that racking arm -I've not seen them before, where's it from?

But it's great to see them getting used!

[asd]

My first polykeg filled and gassed.

Fantastic! The first of many, I hope.

[asd]

The polykeg fermenter with racking arm

I don't know why you'd do this, it's a bit of a faff - I reckon you just push the brew from your primary to the next vessel via the spear, maybe cut down a few mm, and an "S" fitting, with a bit of CO2, with the non-returns removed. It'd be simpler and there are fewer crevices for bugs to lurk.

Interesting to see that racking arm -I've not seen them before, where's it from?

But it's great to see them getting used!

Barneey,

Where did that tap with racking arm come from? I've not seen them before.

[asd]

Double post! And only 18:20 Hrs!

[barneey]

Its a Better Bottle tap / racking arm, they are quite difficult to get hold of in the UK (although Im sure a UK HBS was stocking them sometime this year - just cant remember what one).

As for bugs to lurk - depends on how clean your equipment is. I dont like using syphons that much.