While you are probably aware, the purpose of tapping the keg is to push gas into the keg so that the beer can be push out by the pressure build up in the keg; while keeping the beer remaining in the keg fresh. Local welding supply stores, locations that fill fire extinguishers, local homebrew shops, and sporting stores that sell paintball guns are all places that have CO2 dispensing machinery. The slits guide the tap's notches and hold the tap in place. Ditch the regular fridge and use a kegerator! How To Check For & Fix A Leak In A Kegerator CO2 Gas System. This will bring it into the on position. Now, while still applying a downward force, twist the tap clockwise as far as you can. This tap is powered by CO 2 tanks, which are also stored in the fridge. It’s near impossible to accurately tell how much gas is left without it. This is where you are venturing into nitro beers. It is also possible to tap your keg with Nitrogen or a combination of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Kegerator Temperature – How Cold Should A Kegerator Be? Typically CO2 is used to dispense delicious beer out of your keg. The most important thing when it comes to your CO2 or N2 tank placement is that it’s upright, secure, and kept away from any sources of dangerously high temperatures. The last thing is the secret to getting the creamy head you see on a glass of English ale or stout. Sometimes, the keg taps can get very dirty, therefore contaminating your beer. Tap Your Keg. Now, you may be asking, why use CO2 at all? In some cases you will need to twist 2 flanges to lock it into place, but most taps will lock automatically after this step. Your best bet will be to try out these places. If you don’t want to buy a new canister, there are a couple of places that would be more than happy to refill your can. That’s all the difference on how to keg with N2 versus carbon dioxide. That will produce the desired creamy foam. We all know how to pull a good beer from the tap but tapping the keg is another skill altogether. Log in. The only one you’ll need to focus on however is the one that measures psi on a 0-60 scale. This set-up allows you to draw beer from a single keg and pour from a faucet mounted on the outside of your fridge. I like a lower 7-10 psi for premium beers and a higher 10-12 psi for beers that have a higher carbonation levels. Now that everything’s in place, it’s time for the easy part. Now, you should be able to fill with CO2. To adjust the CO2 pressure, locate the screw/handle beneath the dial (the top gauge on a dual gauge regulator). Push down. In order to clean these thoroughly, you’ll want to buy a detergent that focuses on cleaning taps (they can be found at hardware stores or online). Now the … You will need this higher pressure so that the carbon dioxide in the beer can be knocked out when it is forced through the restrictor plate. Typically, it’s better to have more inside your fridge so you can have optimal keg fitting space. So if you can afford the space and you are using an external gas tank, I would recommend that you get a large gas tank. Now all you need to do is to tap your keg and pour into your frosted beer mugs. Although, it’s best to follow your brewery or distributor’s recommended pressure. One tip is note is that most suppliers will charge you the same price to refill your tank whether it is a large or smaller tank. The first is a manual pump which is often referred to as a “party pump.” These are the hand pumps you might remember from college parties. Go to the CO2 tank and open the valve, rotating the knob counter-clockwise this time. The second in the CO2 pump which utilized pressurized C02 from a cylinder. Make sure the beer faucet is in the off position prior to tapping. Take the dust cover off of your keg and connect the keg coupler. A kegerator is a modified refrigerator that keeps a keg of beer cool while dispensing the beer on tap. The rich full, crisp taste of beer is everything. Unlike the manual pump above, a kegerator using CO2 to dispense your beer will keep it fresher for much longer. Step 3: Attach tap faucet. Now moving onto your CO2 canister, attach a CO2 regulator to the cylinder before tightening the regulator coupler nut with an adjustable spanner. You can easily turn a refurbished refrigerator into a personal kegerator. Look to see if your keg has a CO2 line. Insert the coupler into the keg with the handle … Then, when you’re ready, you can do this conversion to add the tap handles.  Instead of waiting until all the gas completely runs out, do a bit of research and find out how many kegs can be dispensed per CO2 or N2 canister. What You Need to Know About Kegerator Conversion Kits. How you tap a keg greatly affects how long the beer will stay fresh within the keg. Use the spanner wrench and rubber washer when securing the faucet tap in place for a firm attachment to the kegerator tap tower. The gas also helps the beer hold its natural carbonation. Your email address will not be published. Feed the vinyl beer line all the way through the opening, and then screw in the tower screws through the gasket and holes atop the keg fridge. You would just use a picnic tap and open the door to the fridge every time you want a beer. Nitro beer is that rich and creamy pint with a thick white head. Building Your Kegerator - Step 3: Add A Gas Source If Needed Even if you are using commercially purchased carbonated beverages you still need a source of CO2 to push the liquid out of … Some cheaper beers that are brewed with lesser malt and hops may have a high carbonation levels to compensate for the lack in taste while the premium beers may have lesser carbonation when the brewer keg their beers. As you pull the handle outwards, simultaneously push the tap down onto the keg valve mechanism. Make sure it’s t. Then, pull outward before pushing down the coupler until you feel a click. You will have either one or two different gauges that can measure pressure. kegerator may witness fungal/bacterial growth, which would contaminate your beer. You got your home kegerator and have ordered your favorite keg of beer. But you will need a couple of things beforehand. Nothing too rocket science, so do not worry. Otherwise, it’ll just be a guessing game. Install the fan in a Tupperware container by cutting a hole in the lid large enough for the fan blades. It’s possible you could opt for a simpler air pump dispenser that works by forcing air through a tube, however continuous contact with the air and oxygen will significantly alter the taste of your beer for the worse. It is a Nitrogen faucet or a Stout faucet. Lever handle couplers require you to pull the handle out before pushing it down or lifting it up. You will also notice that the bubbles in nitro beers are tiny compared to the large bubbles of regular draft CO2 beers. How to Clean a Keg Tap. Inaccurate pressure might result in improper carbonation, resulting in either flat beer or tad bit more froth than you were looking for. Keep turning until it stops. Otherwise, it’ll just be a guessing game. Such a faucet has a restrictor plate in the faucet which is a disk with 5 tiny holes. You will need a N2 regulator that fits to the nitrogen cylinder as it can handle the higher pressure too. The thing I like about this project is that you can ease into it. Turn it clockwise until the marker hits 10-12 psi. Use CO2 at all oxygen will react with the handle well, your beer will... Regulator output barb and tighten screw clamp the lid large enough for the fan blades into a kegerator! 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