Mini Keg with Ball Lock Tap System
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 เม.ย. 2019
- Tap System for sale on eBay (Currently out of stock)
This is the newest tap system I've created for mini kegs! It uses the same ball valve system you would see on a 5 gallon keg for home brew and I have modified it to work on mini kegs.
SORRY I KEPT CALLING THEM BALL VALVES - THEY ARE CALLED BALL LOCKS!!!!
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Equipment:
Mini Keg - (Paid Link) amzn.to/3gdo2UA
Mini Keg (Alternate Site) (Paid Link) - www.homebrewing.org/Mini-Keg-...
Ball lock Posts - (Paid Link) amzn.to/36klvDu
Ball Lock Quick disconnects - (Paid Link) amzn.to/2LMk33i
1/4 Inch Threaded Tee - (Paid Link) amzn.to/36klIqg
Keg Regulator - (Paid Link) amzn.to/2TryuOD
Vinyl Tubing - (Paid Link) amzn.to/2TsGMFE
Stainless Steel 1/4 inch Nipple - (Paid Link) amzn.to/2O8c8yA
Mini Keg Bung - (Paid Link) amzn.to/3gEkqdy
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Website: myprojectweekend.com/mini-keg...
Affiliate links are used in this post and I may earn from purchases.
Thank you,
Drew
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Thanks for the tip on how to make your own co2 system from scratch. Happy brewing.
Very cool. I would rotate the T 90 degrees so the ball lock posts both go out the side and the whole thing fits in the fridge better.
Thanks for these videos Drew. This system looks ideal for what I want to do
You’re welcome!
Very good DIY video and idea. Thanks for posting it
Thank you! Have you tried it out or something similar?
I just made one of these with one improvement. Rather than wind tape around the dip tube to hold it in place I heated the end by holding it close to the burner on my range then gently tapped it against the cold surface of the counter (don't tell my wife I did that). I also used a small screwdriver to maintain the integrity of the hole. By repeating and taking your time you can create a nice little flange on the end. Then, unscrew/separate the liquid out post and feed the dip tube through. Not only will the flange hold the dip tube in place but will also create a very nice seal.
That’s a good idea! If you ever want you can get an old dip tube from a 5 gallon keg and cut it shorter. I wish I would have thought of that sooner. 🤦♂️
Cool idea, good video. Just so you know, ball taps are indeed two different types, generally the white or grey are for the gas lines and the black is for the beer line. They are designed to only fit on the ball taps that are on each corresponding post. You happen to have them backward, it doesn't make a huge difference, but you may notice your beer pours smoother and less foamy with them in the proper configuration (the through holes are different diameters).
Thanks! Hopefully others see this so they don't make the same mistake I did!
Nice idea. However, the tee contains lead. Guys make sure you buy one that doesn't!
Excellent video. Thanks for the detail:-)
Thanks, l appreciate it. I’ve watched your videos also! Mostly the hard cider ones. Very good as well.
Love idea of the keg but should be at least 10/15 litres this small ones are more for casual beer lovers!
Cool video 👌
They are small but fun! Thanks.
Hey man great vid, tried it out and have had some success but I was wondering if you knew of a stainless steel dip tube that would work with this system, a cornikeg style one is too wide! I'm having problems with really too much head (never thought I'd say that) n Im putting it down to gas leaking ont the dip tube... Can u help?
Hey. I love your idea. I went and did my own but I keep getting my beer to spit up and out. Any reason why?
Drew are you making these taps yet because for me mini kegs are the way to go ,I dont enjoy bottled and those mini have never given me a bad pint cheers carl
Yeah I've helped a few people put these together. I have my email in the video description. If you want help just send me a message and let me know what pieces you need. Thanks!
Great System. I was wondering if this would work with a commercially sold full beer keg, like hofbrau etc. I guess you would be able to push this tap into the bung on top, without letting all the gas out? anyone try this?
The problem is that as soon as you remove the bung the gas will come out faster than you could get the new one in. However it doesn't matter because once you add this system you can add more co2. But I have not tried it personally. Have you tried it yet?
Standard PSI for force carbing is around 30, seems like that bung would come flying out since it's just hand pressed in there. Any issues here?
So I’ve personally tested the system up to 30 psi. The bung and nipple didn’t pop out but I did need to keep tightening the threaded pieces and continue to test for any leaks. Once it’s secure and tight it does great!
Excellent video -- I think I found my next weekend warrior project. Any chance we can get a published parts list?
Liked and Subscribed, and off to check out your other tutorials!
Did you ever put the system together? I’m curious to see if it worked for you!
@@MyProjectWeekend haven't had a chance yet - holidays took over my weekend warrior-ing! Hopefully can take this one on sometime this month!
how do you account for the absence of a pressure relief valve on the mini keg? i know regular sized kegs use a keg coupler with a built-in pressure relief valve
So I don’t put more than 15 psi into the keg and I haven’t had a problem so far. I think if the pressure got too high it would blow the bung and tap out first before exploding.
IMHO it's unlikely that one would use a mini keg in such a way as to leave it connected to a gas supply at high pressure for any length of time but if you were to, try attaching a spunding valve on the gas-in side and this could be set to any pressure you liked. Should be able to get the parts from your local Kegland supplier. Happy to design a solution if needed. Cheers Brew-Boy
Can you force carb with this set up? Its seems like it would leak too much
Yes, I’ve been using this system to force carb my beer. I do have to test the system before I put beer in it to test for leaks.
Shouldn't the black be for beer and grey for gas?
Dustin Abts yeah they caused me some confusion. I also kept calling than ball valves haha! Either way the system works great!
Hi Drew, what is the maximum pressure that you can apply to your mini keg setup? Is it enough to do forced beer carbonation?
I’ve used it up to 30 psi. I’ve heard from others that the kegs start to fail and warp at 50 psi. I use this to force carb my homebrew and it works best in the fridge. Hope that helps!
@@MyProjectWeekend Thanks Drew. I was a bit worried if the bung will stay in place when the pressure goes above 15 psa but since you've gone up to 30, then it should be fine.
...and one more request. I don't seem to be able to find these bungs with nipples. Can you suggest a link to an online retailer?
Regards
Georgi
Yeah for sure! I’ve updated the links in the description to this video. There should be links to the bung and 1/4 inch nipples. Let me know if you need more help! Thanks.
Do you have an advice for me please? I maked the same thing as you, but they’re lot of bubbles in my picnic tap when the beer is pouring out.. did it happened to you?
Hi samuel, I'm not sure what the issue is but have you checked your dip tube? Maybe it's not down far enough. If your getting bubbles it sounds like that could be the issue.
How could you do a closed transfer from the fermenter with these?
That’s a tough one... I’m thinking it might be possible to use a liquid line down through the gray rubber bung. If you purged the keg first with Co2 then ran the line in. However, when you removed the line it would be exposed briefly while you inserted the tap system.
Poderia fazer o mesmo vídeo em português , ou com legendas?
Can't you just use one ball valve for C02 and then use the normal dispensing mechanism?
That's a good question! The answer is yes. Check out this video I did which shows exactly that! th-cam.com/video/6Lr5Gh04F_I/w-d-xo.html
Will this hold pressure, and how long for, once the gas is disconnected?
It should hold for months and possibly forever as long as you don't have any leaks.
Wouldn’t you need food grade co2?
Yes I use food grade Co2. The shop I get these filled at has food grade. Thanks for checking!
Does paintball gas has oil??
Yes traditionally they do. This one is food grade safe. Depending on where you go to get them filled they could be food grade or not.
Isn't The ball locks inverted ? Grey Gas, Black Beer ?
Yes, just switch em.
Can I force carbonate the keg?
Yes I’ve done it up to 12-15 PSI!
Hello, wich are tee's measurements please?!
Leandro Bonatto it’s a 1/4 inch Brass Tee.
@@MyProjectWeekend tks só much.. have you bougth It on the internet? Wich site? I'm locking for but ... Can't find ...
Leandro Bonatto I bought the ball locks and valves on eBay. I put the link to those in the video description. As far as the 1/4 tee, plastic nipple and tubing. I bought those at a local hardware store. Does that help?
@@MyProjectWeekend Show .. tks again!!
Leandro Bonatto absolutely! I hope it helps!
Hi Drew. Really interested in making one of these kits. Would love to ask you a few questions if possible. Can you send private messages? I have a few of these mini kegs but never had any luck using them.
Yeah you can email me directly. My email address is in the description of this video. Thanks!
This hole set up is more expensive then just buying a regular better material mini keg
Yeah, they're about the same price. People like to build this one for fun and it is the smallest keg set up for homebrew.
Cool idea. But too many non food grade items coming into contact with beer for my liking.
The posts are stainless, on every corny keg. The beer is dispensed through the tube and I don’t think its contacting the brass tee. If you make sure you use food grade tubing , you could get a stainless nipple tube instead of using plastic, and don’t use paintball air tank (they contain lubricant) then think this would be good to go. I’ve been looking for a way to use 5L mini kegs with a handpump for real cask ale and this might do the trick.
You are right Bill! I used a paintball tank in the video however the co2 I get is from a shop that does not use lubricant and is food safe. I have been looking for a dip tube that will fit inside the Ball post and am getting close to a solution. Also, you are right that the Threaded tee, brass or plastic is not coming in contact with the beer. Have you tried it?
@@MyProjectWeekend would a normal dip tube from a corny keg work just cut down to the correct length they are designed to fit under the ball valves in the corny keg? awesome idea by the way myself and a friend are ordering the needed parts today. thanks for sharing
That’s awesome! I think it’s a great idea. I don’t know if it will work for sure but I’m going to try it too. Thanks for the idea!
Update, tried the corny keg dip tube and it works perfectly
Why aren't you selling this?
That’s a good question... I had it for sale a while ago. I only sold one in a year but maybe it’s time to put another one up! Thanks.
@@MyProjectWeekend I'll pay, (just need the core thing, (the T, the connectors and the fiddly bits). I'm totally incompetent with mechanical stuff, so I'd prefer buying it, (even if I have to pay international shipping) :-)
Frank R. Haugen haha I’ll se about getting the fiddly bits for you. So you already have the ball posts?
@@MyProjectWeekend maybe I'll be specific:
I have ball lock connectors, (female), and the kegs, but the apparatus itself, pre-assembled, (and perhaps simply tested), is what I want to buy from you. I'll waiver any warranty or liability, don't know what laws apply but that should cover you, if I blow a hole in the ceiling due to ineptitude.
You could give me an estimate for the cost including shipping to Norway, before you go buying and building it, so we are agreed on terms, (though I don't think it'll be even close to what buying the stuff from Amazon would cost me)
Alright! I have an estimate for the mini keg tap system. Total cost for you would be about $90.00 ($40 is just for shipping). The tap system would include the (2) Ball Posts, (1) Threaded T, (1) nipple, (1) Rubber Bung. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
Faulty and hazardous stunt. No overpressure protection; if the regulator sticks open you turn that tin can into a 1000 psi lethal kaboom. You don't know what that disposable can is rated for working pressure, and no prevention from accidentally regulating it too high (again, kaboom). The vinyl tubing contains nasty plasticizers; read the package, not for potable or beverage use. Brass fitting will leach lead and copper into the acidic carbonated beverage. Plumbing fitting thread are tapered and do not fit straight threaded ball-lock fittings (which is why you get leaks). Then you're working with 1000 psi CO2 cylinder and no eye protection.
Get a proper stainless mini keg, or at least a PET plastic item.
So you’re not making one?