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5/7/2013 -- Do these kegs have removable poppets (for easier cleaning) or must they be cleaned in place (non-removable)?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: They all have removable poppets. You may need a special wrench however to remove/tighten the poppets. There is a "star" configuration as well as a "hex" configuration.
Make sense?
9/30/2010 -- I plan on mixing rootbeer and force carbonating it. Do I still add the sugar, or do I just use the extract and water?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You'll need to add sugar to the extract in order to sweeten it, but no additional sugar to carbonate it.
In other words, just sweeten to taste, force carbonate, and enjoy!
5/17/2010 -- what is your phone number?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We can be reached at (425) 355-8865
Our toll free order is (800) 850-2739
1/22/2009 -- I just got a kegging system and want to make sure I'm doing this correctly. I fermented the batch, secondary fermented it for a total of about two weeks. Next step is to keg it, put co2 to it and drink it correct?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Well yes, basically. You want to make sure your beer is completely fermented, and clear before kegging.
Here is a handy guide to how to go about setting it up and carbonating your beer:
http://www.homebrewheaven.com/CornyKegSystem.pdf
If you need help drinking it, we are here to help!
1/26/2008 -- I live about an hour (if traffic is good) from the address on your website. Do you have an actual store or is everything here based solely online?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we have an actual brick-and-mortar store in Everett, WA. People actually walk in and buy stuff!
Our address is:
Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
Here is a video of our shop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI
Heck, you can actually call us on the phone, too! It's 425-355-8865. A person will actually answer as long as it's business hours!
11/5/2006 -- I live in Seattle, can I come and pick up the bottles in Everett? Do you have a "brick and mortar" store?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You sure can. It is literally made of bricks and mortar, in South Everett. Our address is:
Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
425-355-8865
Hours are 10-6:30 M-F
and 9:30-5 on Saturdays
Here is a video of the place:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI
Take a look around!
9/24/2006 -- I'm setting up a keg system in my backyard. I want to purchase beer and soda in 5 gal cornelius kegs. I'm finding my options are limited in terms of brew availability at the 5 gallon size.
Questions:
If I go to my local microbrew and buy 5 gallons, can I simply pour it into a corny and hook up the CO2 and will it last as long as if I purchased it in the corny?
Thanks, Robert
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, you can do that. Try to avoid splashing (siphoning is best), and afterwards, you should purge your keg with CO2 to remove any air. That will make it last as long as if you purchased it in a corney.
7/25/2006 -- Id like to put the beer into a keg instead of bottles, but was wondering if i could do this WITHOUT force carbonating with a CO2 tank. Can the beer naturally carbonate in the keg?
what would i have to add for this, more yeast or sugar?
Would this effect the "shelf life" of the keg?
thanks for the help! AWESOME WEBSITE!!!
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, you can do that. Use about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of corn sugar to carbonate in the keg. You will still need the CO2 to "push" the beer from the keg, however. The beer is drawn from the bottom of the keg up to the spigot. It needs a little "push" to get it there.
No, there is no affect on shelf life.
Thanks for the kind words about our website!
3/5/2006 -- I've brewed and bottled three batches of beer. I'd like to keg the next batch. I have a setup that is used for a regular beer keg. If I order a cornelius keg should I get the pin lock or the ball lock.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Either one will work just fine. The ball lock kegs are more common, however. Personally, I like the pin lock kegs because the fittings are impossible to put on backwards, and they seem more "secure". Just a personal preference.
6/5/2005 -- I've been using a cornelius keg for a while now, always keeping it in my fridge, but i want to take it with me to picnics, parties, etc. is there a good way to keep it cold without a cooler?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Well...there's the poor man's cooler: ice. Try wrapping your keg up in a garbage bag, and dump a couple of bags of ice into it. If your beer is already cold, it will last for a quite a while.
Also, if you have a plastic picnic cooler, try setting your keg into that, and dumping ice into the cooler. Remember, the keg draws the beer from the bottom, and if that is covered in ice, it works pretty well. Wrapping a towel or something around the top of the keg helps to insulate it too.
4/9/2005 -- Will a cornelius keg fit into any half height refrigerator? Or better yet, if I were looking for a new refrigerator but didn't want to buy a full size or a expensive kegerator, what are my options?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: There are so many different 'fridges that it is best to measure (twice) and drink once.
For reference, the new cornelius keg itself measures about 22" high, and 9" in diameter. Many half-height 'fridges have a freezer section in the top that interferes with the keg, but some do not. Measure, measure. Certainly a full size 'fridge will do it. Usually, you can fit 2-3 into a full sized unit. Plan for the future, is what I say! Often you can find a used full size unit for free up to $100. This is often less than a 1/2 size unit.
The other option, if you want to use a 1/2 size 'fridge, is to get the kegging system with a 3 gallon keg. Just let us know in the "Comments" section at checkout, and we'll make it happen IF we have them in stock.
3/14/2005 -- I have been reading your Q&A section and noticed that you said that the 15.5 gallon kegs need special tools to clean. My question is do you have any of these tools if not do you know where i can get them?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No. That is the problem. Commercial kegs require commercial equipment.
5 gallon Cornelius kegs do not, that is why they are so popular with home brewers.
10/31/2004 -- I just bought the St. Peter's Pilsner kit and I'm planning to use a keg system to carbonate the beer. Should I prime before kegging to help conditioning or not?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: There is no need to if you are force carbonating your beer.
Priming will only add sediment if left at room temperature, or sweetness if you refrigerate it.
10/9/2004 -- What is the best method to fill bottles from a keg system? How do you reduce the foam and ensure that the beer does not go flat??
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The BEST way to fill bottles from a cornelius keg system is using a counterpressure bottle filler. It purges and fills your bottles in an all CO2 enviroment, and fills them from the bottom to minimize foaming. Here is a link to this item:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&ProductID=317
If you don't have a counterpressure filler, you can attach a piece of 3/8" ID tubing (about 10" long) to the cobrahead tap. This allows you to fill from the bottom up. You will get much less foaming if both your beer AND your bottles are very cold. Cap as soon as you fill.
10/9/2004 -- I LOVE reading all the questions and answers! Now I have one. I am going to be purchasing a kegging system as a gift. Here is what I know I want (I think): I want to have a keg inside of a converted fridge (don't have the fridge yet) and need to know what I would need to set this up, from the keg (corney?) to the fitted tap out the door... and what size of fridge do you recommend? Or if it is a chest freezer, does it need an external thermostat?
I know we only need one keg (two would be nice, tho...lends to variety). Give me info on materials to run two kegs, just in case. Oh, and how long does the beer stay good? And does it matter on freshness when the beer is tapped?
My husband has brewed beer for some years now, but my job starts and stops with stirring, so I apologize for my ignorance. Thanks in advance for your help and sorry for the ignorance! LOL
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Glad to hear our site is useful!
To start, you would order a Complete Kegging System. When you click on "Options" it will allow you to select either a single keg setup or a double. Here is a link to that item:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&ProductID=287
To set it up for a 'fridge, all you need to do is add a Refridgerator Tap (or two). Here is a link to that item:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&ProductID=648
It's easy to do, just drill a hole and screw in the tap. Nothing to it.
You can get as fancy as you want with this. A drip tray is nice...here is another link:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&ProductID=287
All of this assumes you have a standard size 'fridge. Most of them hold at least two kegs without much effort. The kegs stand about 26" high, and are about 9" in diameter.
If you choose to use a freezer, you will need a temperature controller, of course. If it is a chest type freezer, you will probably want a draft beer tower instead of the 'fridge tap, but that's about the only difference. Make sense?
The beer stays good as long as there is CO2 on it (away from air). I've seen beer remain just fine for MONTHS in keg system. Not mine, mind you, it gets consumed before it's an issue.
"Freshness" is a funny concept in brewing. Yes, I think that many ales are best consumed "fresh" (within a month of kegging), but some dark, highly hopped beers, and many lagers will benefit from extended aging. With a setup like this YOU can decide which is best!
No need to apologize for inexperience. We've ALL been there!
9/26/2004 -- On your keg systems, are the kegs reconditoned? Have all the o-rings been replaced or do I have to do that. I like your site. You are the only one I have seen that has the multiple systems for sale.
A friend of mine has been kegging for a few yrs now. He has a double regulater on his so he can run different pressures on the tanks. Is this necessary? I have been bar tending for many yrs and have never seen any bars do it that way.
Is it possible to force carbonate at 25psi 2 kegs at a time?
I know, many questions, Im going from bottling to kegging for the one reason I am out of time. In a month I have to have 2 batchs ready to go for the pig roast at church. My buddy and I have been doing the beer for it for the last 3 yrs. I just realized last week it's a month away. I have 2 batchs in the primary fermentor's now, I figure I will have about 8-10 days to carbonize. This should be enough when kegging correct? Or should I force that long at 25psi?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No, the kegs are not reconditioned, but we supply the o-ring kits to do that if you want. It's very easy, and the kegs are in good condition anyway.
I see no need for two regulators either, as long as the kegs are about the same distance to the tap.
Yes, you can carbonate two kegs to 25 psi at the same time. No problem.
Yes, you can EASILY force carbonate your beers in 1-2 days. It won't take 8. The idea is to check it after a day or so to see if the carbonation is sufficient. If needed you can turn up the pressure for another day (or agitate the keg) and have it fully carbonated in time for your event.
9/26/2004 -- How are your double keg systems setup? I didnt see a picture of it on your site, and didnt see any details just the price changed. Could you please send some more info on this?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It has two cornelius kegs, one CO2 bottle with a "T" to branch the CO2 to both kegs at the same time. Each keg has it's own (handheld) cobrahead tap with all the associated fittings.
9/23/2004 -- I own a standard 15.5 CO2 keg system and would like to use the CO2 tank and regulator with a cornelius tank. Would my the hoses be consistent with the fittings on cornelius keg with Quick Disconnect fittings?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Probably. Most systems use a 1/4" ID line, and that will work fine with cornelius kegs. It's possible that you have a different size, but unlikely.
9/22/2004 -- How do you make a brew in a canister? have you got a step to step instruction manual. Iam talking about the homebrew keg refridgerator. i have only brewed with the kits where you bottle it.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The beer is made in exactly the same way, except instead of bottling, you siphon it into a keg. You don't need to add priming sugar, just turn up the CO2 pressure until the beer "absorbs" the CO2 to make carbonation. Yes, there is an instruction book that comes with the kegging kit.
8/31/2004 -- I have a kegerator that has a CO2 tank to carbonate the beer. I plan to use 5 gallon soda kegs for the final fermetation and serving of the beer. Do I need to add the sugar at the end, or will the CO2 carbonate the beer for me?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You can do it either way. Personally, I like to force carbonate it with CO2. This avoids re-carbonation in the keg, and eliminates sediment from that recarbonation. It also makes my beer carbonated in a DAY, instead of waiting 7-10 days for the carbonation to develop (using the corn sugar method). More beer sooner!
4/17/2004 -- Hi. I want to start kegging my beer, but I dont have any refrigerator to convert, whats your recommendation, to get a regular refrigerator or to get a kegerator that is ready for kegs? are there any kegerators out there that you would recommend?
thanks
Response From Homebrew Heaven: To me, it's a matter of cost. There are kegerators out there, but they run about $800 plus shipping (which is high).
You can often find an old refrigerator or freezer for under $100. If you just put it into a garage, appearance isn't an issue. Converting one of these is easy, and runs much less. We have everything you need to do it.
3/18/2004 -- I was wanting to know if you could give me any advice on choosing between a ball lock and a pin lock keg. I have read that on ball lock kegs it is easey to mix up the gas and beer fittings and that they can be easily put on the wrong side and that you may never get them back off. Is this true or are they marked somehow. Also if I decide to go with a pin lock 5 gallon keg do you ocasionaly carry these used.
Thanks for answering my questions. You have one of the best sites for getting advice. I have not actually started to brew yet just trying to figure the best way to go on my set up. I plan building a kegerator out off three five gallon kegs and putting faucets through the side and i've found a co2 injector on one site that uses 12 gram cartridges do you carry one of these?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, the fittings are marked "in" and "out" on ball lock kegs. It is possible to put the wrong fittings on, but I've never heard of them getting stuck. Interchangability may be more of an issue...the ball lock style is much more common. We have LOTS on hand, but as far as I know, we only have one pin-lock style.
Yes, we carry the CO2 injectors and 12 gram cartridges. With the system you describe, however, I would go with a bigger CO2 bottle. You will go thru about 3 cartridges for each keg you dispense. Also, there is not enough volume in the cartridges to allow "force" carbonating your beer. A 5 lb. CO2 cylinder and regulator is a better bet.
2/25/2004 -- hi! just wondering if alcohol production, conditioning, or fullness of a beer would suffer as a result of kegging opposed to bottling. Just want to brew each beer to full potential!! THANX
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Absolutely not. In fact, kegging has many advantages over bottling. Less oxygen is introduced, dry hopping in the keg is a great way to do it, and many others.
The factors you bring up (fullness, alcohol production etc) are determined by the recipe formulation and brewing process/techniques. Kegged beer will condition exactly the same as bottled beer.
For what it's worth...in my years of brewing and operating a homebrew shop, I have NEVER heard of a brewer who tried kegging and then went back to bottling their beer. Besides being convenient, fast, and simple, the quality of the beer is every bit as good. Occasionally they may bottle some (from the keg) to take to an event, but most would rather fight than give up their keg!
2/24/2004 -- Once a Corny keg is carbonated can it be taken off and stored without being conected to the CO2? Is there a time limit, is temp a factor?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, it can be stored off the CO2. Just like kegged commercial beer. Kegged beer can last a LONG time...maybe a year or more if temperatures are moderate. It never NEEDS to last longer than that at MY house!
I would try not to store it at temperatures over about 90 deg. F, but otherwise it is quite stable.
Remember, that long ago the British shipped beer by sea in wood barrels to India. Refrigeration was unheard of at the time. The trip took months, and I'm betting those barrels were nowhere near as good as a stainless steel keg.
2/18/2004 -- I am interested in getting the the complete Draft Kegging System for my husband's birthday. However, we do not need the keg but I would like to get whatever else necessary to complete the "Kegerator" setup he has been wanting. What do I need?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It depends...
We can send you the Complete Kegging System without the keg if that is what you want; no problem. The cost would be about $15 less.
If you are looking for a "kegerator" setup with a tap on the OUTside of your 'fridge, we can do that too by substituting a few items.
It would probably be best to give us a call for either of these options, so that we can put together what you need. Our # is (800) 850-2739 and we open in about 1 1/2 hours (10am Pacific time).
2/15/2004 -- Once the kegs are filled, do they need to be kept cold? If not, what is the "shelf life" of a keg of beer if kept at room temperature?
Can room temp. beer be run thru a copper coil bathed in ice, in a cooler for example, to make a portable system that does not require you to keep multiple kegs cold?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No; as long as the beer is kept free of oxygen, it will store just fine at room temperature.
Yes, the beer can be run thru a coil arrangment like you descibe. It is called a draft box, usually a stainless coil inside of a portable picnic cooler. You can mount a refrigerator tap(s) on the front, and just fill with ice when you want to dispense.
2/5/2004 -- I'm brewing my first batch of homebrew and have the Shamrock Stout in my primary fermentor. I have a keg fridge with a CO2 bottle that I'm going to use instead of bottles. Do I need to prime at all for carbonation, and if not will it affect the taste of the beer?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No, you can "force carbonate" your beer by putting it into the keg, refrigerating it, and turning up the pressure to about 25-30 psi. Let it sit overnight, shake it a bit, and the CO2 will go into solution. Just be sure to turn the pressure down to perhaps 6-8 psi (and relieve the pressure on the keg) before dispensing your beer. There is no difference in flavor as far as I can tell.
1/24/2004 -- I am thinking about starting to homebrew. I have a kegerator that will fit two cornelius kegs. I am wanting to get a kit, and then keg the beer instead of bottling. Is there a kit specifically for this? as I would not require any bottling equipment?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We can do it!--altho there isn't anything specifically set up on the website (yet).
For now, you can just order the full equipment kit, and when you check out, just make a comment that you don't need the bottling stuff (capper, caps)and that you would like a credit for it. That will work. OR..........just call us to place the order (800) 850-2739 and we will work it out.
1/9/2004 -- What is the shipping cost for kegs to zip 68883?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: For cornelius kegs, shipped to Nebraska, the cost is:
1 keg = $11.05
2 kegs = $17.50
3 kegs = $26.00
4 kegs = $37.43
6 kegs = $50.00
Shall I go on?
Actually, for any product, you can add it to your shopping cart and then click on "Determine Shipping Costs" underneath your cart. When you enter your location, it will return the actual shipping costs.
1/4/2004 -- How often do you have to replace the O-Ring Set on a Cornelius Keg? Is it after each use or do you get several batches out of them?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I guess it depends on how they are maintained. Treated carefully (rinsed and lubed after each use), you should get a least a years worth of use. I've had some that have lasted 2-3 years. Basically, if it doesn't leak, keep using it.
1/1/2004 -- What is a "Cornelius keg"? Does it have a ball tap like I am used to, and will fit my present system? Does it have an opening for internal cleaning and how big. I realize that these questions are basic, so thank you for your patience.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: A cornelius keg is a stainless steel keg that was commonly used to
dispense soda pop, but they work beautifully for homebrew beer. It
has an oval opening in the top (sealed by an o-ring) that allows
easy cleaning. Here is a picture of an individual cornelius keg:
It
has "pepsi style" fittings on the top allowing easy connection to
most any system. Sorry, I don't know what your present system looks
like, but it is very easy to switch connectors, or to add a "T"
allowing either type of keg to be used.
11/30/2003 -- I have a 4 keg system that I purchased from you. (System works great! thank you) How do you plumb the counter pressure bottle filler into that system and what additional fittings, tubing or equipment is needed? Also is it possible to retro-fit to fill bottles other than 12 oz type ie wide mouth growlers, could the upper stopper be removed and replaced with a large one?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Glad to hear your like our kegging system!
You can easily install the counter pressure bottle filler by unscrewing the gas-in connector and then pushing the tubing onto the CP filler. For the beer side, just do the same from your beer line. Nothing else is really needed. I suppose, if you wanted to get real fancy, and have the CP filler always installed, you could branch off from both lines using t-fittings, but that really isn't necessary for the occasional bottle filling.
Yes, just replacing stopper will allow you to fill growlers. No problem.
11/16/2003 -- Right now I bottle my beer after primary then seconday fermantation. I understand with a keg I do not have to add bottling sugar to carbonate but in some of the other responses you say that kegs can be carbonated overnight. My question is what about the clearing that takes place in the bottles? When does this happen when you keg? If the sediment forms at the bottem wouldn't a carbontating stone disturb and shake it up? I realy am thinking about switching to kegging but I would like to know how my process would change and what my time to drink would be if right now I the beer I'm making spends less than two weeks during primary and seconday fermantation, then 2 weeks until I drink the first bottle.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: First off, you might want to revise your brewing procedures. Your beer should be clear by the time you bottle it. It shouldn't have to "clear" in the bottle. Whether you bottle or keg your beer, you should leave as much sediment behind as possible. Whether this takes 2 days or 10 weeks is not important.
The bottling process itself will cause some cloudiness to appear after priming. Perhaps this is what you are referring to. That is due to the refermentation of the priming sugar, and does NOT occur if you keg your beer. You simply force carbonate your clear beer, and no sediment is produced.
10/1/2003 -- Do you need just one CO2 tank and one regulater for multiple kegs? How does that work? If you order the "triple" complete draft kegging system are all the necessary parts included to carbonate the 3 kegs at the same time?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, you only need one CO2 tank and one regulator for multiple kegs. The CO2 line is cut, and a "T" fitting is put in, allowing more kegs to be connected simultaneously.
If you order the Triple, all necessary parts are included to carbonate 3 kegs at the same time. Correct!
8/23/2003 -- Does the kegging system come with everything you need to start up or is additional equipment required? IE gas in fittings, extra tubing etc.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It comes complete. All fittings necessary to make it work, sufficient tubing etc. All you really need is a refrigerator.
If you have SPECIAL application, say like...you want to run the beer line from your garage to your upstairs computer, well, then you'll need some extra tubing!
7/19/2003 -- I have a keggerator that takes the 15.5 gal sanke style kegs. I am interested in retrofitting for using the cornelius kegs since a friend introduced me to beermaking. What will I need to do this. The keggerator has a single tap tower on top, and I have the CO2 tank and regulator already. Also some tips on using the corney kegs would be helpful. Use primer or not? Any info will be appreciated...
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It's very easy to convert for only one tap! All you really need are the kegs, and a gas-in and a beer-out fitting (ball-lock type). Maybe some hose clamps to hold it together, but should be all.
There is really no need to "prime" cornelius kegs with sugar. You can force carbonate your beer by turning up the pressure to about 25-30 psi overnight. Shake it a few times, and you have carbonated beer. Just be sure to turn the pressure down again before dispensing!
We have a very good booklet called "Using Your Cornelius Kegging System" if you want more details.
6/27/2003 -- Do you have to carbonate your beer (with sugar)before you keg it or can I just add my beer and this stone to my keg and it's done?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No, you do NOT have to add sugar. CO2 is all that is needed. You can turn up the pressure and wait for it to carbonate (usually overnight)...OR you can use this product, and have carbonated beer in about 10 - 15 minutes. It is used with CO2, and makes the gas stream (bubbles) so fine that they are absorbed into the beer almost immediately. Carbonation happens!
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