cornies, polykegs.... definitive setup thread

[barneey]

The racking arm is useful to keep the flow well away from the yeast layer, a static arm could do the same job just not adjustable.

[jmc]

I fitted a standard tap to my Polykeg over the weekend.
Pics below

PET is a bit unforgiving being brittle and slippery so I didn't use any power tools, just an awl & step drills on a ratchet screwdriver.



Last step was 26mm for this tap

A bit rough. You can see layers in the PET

Fit is good. Tap seal on outside.

After a careful clean up with very sharp knife and round file.

Now for the tricky bit. Fitting the tap-nut.
Polykeg opening is too small for my hand so I needed something to manoeuvre nut onto the tap-thread
I know this is odd, but only thing I had-to hand was a old walking stick.
I could fit the nut on it but it slipped off of course.
I needed to 'hold' nut in position while I screwed on thread.

I taped on the nut with most of tape on stick so nut end would disconnect when pulled away.

This working 1st time. .
Stick had advantage that round shape fitted into lug of nut so I could tighten up tap from outside.
Pic looking inside keg

zoomed in

Tap fitted

[asd]

Hi,

Here is a picture of a new-type Sodastream gas cylinder connected via a german fitting to a standard regulator:



The German fitting is relatively expensive, but it is a one-off. It came from here: http://www.magnetventile-shop.de/store- ... %2F&seo=14

Its easier than lugging a full size CO2 cylinder about - great if you live in an upper floor flat, and it is cheaper in the short term, and sodastream refills are easy to get hold of almost everywhere.

[barneey]

Nice solution to a gas problem

So in theory if you knew what the thread was on the soda stream and regulator - you could see if a suitable coupling was available in the UK at a cheaper price?

[jmc]

Nice solution to a gas problem

So in theory if you knew what the thread was on the soda stream and regulator - you could see if a suitable coupling was available in the UK at a cheaper price?

+1 - good idea

I'm surprised that there is no enterprising UK home brew supplier that can supply
a coupling to connect hambleton bard ( or sodastream) cylinders to a regulator,eg for kegerators
The small fire extinguisher CO2 cylinders from Norm are a pain to get refilled.

[asd]

Nice solution to a gas problem

So in theory if you knew what the thread was on the soda stream and regulator - you could see if a suitable coupling was available in the UK at a cheaper price?

That German site does define the thread. I'm thinking of taking it to some clever people I know, and seeing if I can get some fabricated at a decent price. There is a thread somewhere about some aluminium ones from the UK which were unsatisfactory.

[asd]

Nice solution to a gas problem

So in theory if you knew what the thread was on the soda stream and regulator - you could see if a suitable coupling was available in the UK at a cheaper price?

+1 - good idea

I'm surprised that there is no enterprising UK home brew supplier that can supply
a coupling to connect hambleton bard ( or sodastream) cylinders to a regulator,eg for kegerators
The small fire extinguisher CO2 cylinders from Norm are a pain to get refilled.

I think the problem is that there are very few "enterprising" homebrew suppliers in the UK. Most of the technical stuff in your average local home brew shop is not much different to what you could get in the '70s, actually. I think you have to look sideways at hydroponics, aquarium and paintball suppliers to see some good technical stuff.

[barneey]

So Basically if you could find / make one of these to a hose tail or reg thread - that would be it


Cant help thinking though with the costs involved a standard gas reg setup would be cheaper in the long run - OK you might have to travel a bit to get gas (but where does your local pub get its gas from?) and a pub size bottle will last you 1 to 2 years..

Or this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sodastream-Cy ... 41782ff1fe £12.95 delivered

[jmc]

So Basically if you could find / make one of these to a hose tail or reg thread - that would be it


Cant help thinking though with the costs involved a standard gas reg setup would be cheaper in the long run - OK you might have to travel a bit to get gas (but where does your local pub get its gas from?) and a pub size bottle will last you 1 to 2 years..

Or this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sodastream-Cy ... 41782ff1fe £12.95 delivered

Well spotted

[asd]

+1 to that.

[asd]

Lots of CO2 info here - I've not had a chance to work thru it.

http://www.teamonslaught.fsnet.co.uk/co2_info.htm

[Heron1952]

Third polykeg filled with "Archie's Hooky 2".
Should have bought more polykegs.

The spear is easily removed and tightened up using a jam jar opening gripper cloth, carpet underlay or plastic glove would work equally well.

[bigdave]

When conditioning polykegs, you put them under pressure and get them cold for a week? Does the keg need to be connected to the gas during conditioning or can I pressurise the keg, disconnect it from the gas and stick it in a fridge?

[barneey]

I`ve tried both methods in the past, for more consistent results the fridge and a continuous gas supply is best. But the gas it up and chuck it in the fridge approach does work - just don't over inflate the keg.

What ever method take notes of temp and gas used.

Final note as its a traditional "plastic" keg you don't need pressure to seal it - so no worries about lids.

[asd]

[quote="barneey"
Final note as its a traditional "plastic" keg you don't need pressure to seal it - so no worries about lids.[/quote]

This is a reference to Cornie lids losing their mojo as they cool down? Which shouldn't happen with the well established plastic keg tradition>?