Help me decide! Party Pigs vs. Mini Kegs...

[StudentBrewer]

I'm a noob who has brewed about 5 batches now (extract and specialty grains) and I'd love to get into kegging. However, I live in a smallish apartment and have limited space and funds (2nd year of doctorate program). I've been looking into party pigs and also the 5l party kegs. Or should I just forego these altogether and go with a 3 or 5 gallon corny system? I'd like to get some input on which is best. I've got a normal kitchen fridge as well as a half size beer fridge to work with (not much). Any opinions are greatly appreciated, thanks.

Brandon

 

[RoadKing]

Aren't those other kegs plastic?, I think cornelius kegs are the only way to go. they're stainless and strong. I've got dozens and never had a problem. Just change Orings occasionally.
RK

 

[El Pistolero]

I've been thinking those 5L mini-kegs look pretty good...and they're easy on the budget.

 

[StudentBrewer]

Does anyone know the dimensions of a 3 gallon corny? Trying to figure out if it'll fit in the beer fridge. Thanks

Brandon

 

[david_42]

I started with the 5L kegs (which are metal), but after two broken taps, I switched to cornies. The 5L look like they would be cheaper, but the tap systems for them are expensive. If space is a problem, I'd go with the party pigs. I may get a party pig for ... parties! Dragging a cornie and CO2 bottle is a bit heavy.

 

[God Emporer BillyBrew]

what are these mini kegs? Does anyone know where I can see a picture of them and how they work?

 

[El Pistolero]

what are these mini kegs? Does anyone know where I can see a picture of them and how they work?

Half way down the page on this link.

 

[david_42]

mini keg

The tap-a-draft system uses 6L PET plastic bottles and isn't subject to corrosion problems. They say you shouldn't go over 4 months in PET.

 

[God Emporer BillyBrew]

Half way down the page on this link.

Hmmm, 100 bucks to go mini kegs and about $200 on ebay for the complete cornelius kit. Tough decision. Just how much of a hassle are the mini kegs? Is the main problem that the taps break? Does that cost money or beer? or both?

 

[OtherWhiteMeat]

Yeah, $200 for a corny set-up, plus a dedicated fridge/freezer and a temp. regulator.

 

[God Emporer BillyBrew]

temp regulator?

 

[Orfy]

How about this for an idea?

If you took a full one to a party to drink in one night you could even get away without gas and just use the hand pump!
http://oz.craftbrewer.org/Library/Gear/GSanders/CheapKegs.shtml

 

[david_42]

Great idea! I have two sprayers where the spray head is broken, maybe I'll try this. It can't be all that hard to clean the wasp killer out of them. I can recycle my broken sprayers and get rid of my annoying neighbors at the same time.

 

[user 574]

My personal opinion would be to go the standard route of corny kegs. In looking at that Mini Keg setup It looked as though it had that $19.95 mini CO2 attachment on it which you'll be replacing cartridges constantly.

You invest maybe $100 or so you can probably get a used 3g corny (bottle the other 2g), regulator and 5# CO2 tank. Use a picnic tap; they're $2.99 (+ dispensing line). At least this way you can baby step your way into better faucets, 5g corny's later. You decide you want to switch later after getting the mini-kegs they'll probably sit on a shelf somewhere and was $ wasted. The X factor is probably the fridge of course but I don't know the height of a 3g corny. Probably holds true with these mini kegs though too? No regulator required for temp control unles your doing a freezer conversion.

 

[OtherWhiteMeat]

temp regulator?

Sorry, Refrigerator Thermostat Control.

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.aspx?ProdID=4230

Externally controls the temp of the freezer.

 

[God Emporer BillyBrew]

Ah, I get it. You only need it if you're buying a freezer and not a fridge. Same thing you use for lagering.