6 replies to this topic

[Gehan G.]

Who's got the best price these days on cornies and conversion kits. I read the FAQ on cheap kegorator building. I noticed some of the vendors mentioned are a little outdated. For instance the kegs mentioned for $14 are now $29.Anyone know where the current good deals are?

[chuck_d]

I don't recommend buying a CO2 kit anywhere. First find out where you will be getting your gas, then find out if they do exchanges or refills. Personally, I prefer places that do exchanges since it's faster, but people who don't do the research beforehand will buy a brand new tank and then realize they aren't ever going to use it and then get upset about losing a shiny tank. As for where to get kegs, I recently got my 8 newest at the place in this thread: https://www.brews-br...wtopic=3304&hl=

[Jimmy James]

I like to get cornies from my LHBS. Yes, they cost a bit more, but I can inspect them carefully to make sure the posts have the correct hardware, etc. I've seen some cornies with some funky hardware on the posts, like star-nuts and stuff. It's a lot easier IMO if you can keep them all uniform. I think they run about $45-50 at my LHBS including the kit with all the new seals for a used corny that is in good shape and holding pressure.

[CaptRon]

Throw up an add on Craigslist in the Wanted section saying that you are looking for kegs. That is where I got all of mine. Then just order the o-rings from McMaster.For the Co2 tank and regulator, if you are looking for new you might want to check out MicroMatic - at least for the regulator. I got this one: https://www.micromat...-pid-842-2.html and I love it. Allows me to run two kegs off it directly.

[chuck_d]

I like to get cornies from my LHBS. Yes, they cost a bit more, but I can inspect them carefully to make sure the posts have the correct hardware, etc. I've seen some cornies with some funky hardware on the posts, like star-nuts and stuff. It's a lot easier IMO if you can keep them all uniform. I think they run about $45-50 at my LHBS including the kit with all the new seals for a used corny that is in good shape and holding pressure.

The star vs hex isn't the problem of making things easier, it's more the size. The chico link in the other thread sent me entirely uniform kegs though, hex on the liquid, star on the gas (a pretty common combination, but they are both 7/8" so the same star-socket wrench works on both of them). I do have a bunch of kegs with 3/4" posts though, but really, it's not that hard to swap out a socket on a wrench. Even if I bought at the LHBS I would replace all the gaskets, and homebrewshops kill you on pricing with that. You gotta get that stuff at a place like mcmaster. FWIW, I don't mind the idea of supporting local business, and if I had an LHBS I'd probably get kegs there, but I still wouldn't the seals there.

Edited by chuck_d, 09 June 2009 - 09:43 AM.

[CaptRon]

The star vs hex isn't the problem of making things easier, it's more the size. The chico link in the other thread sent me entirely uniform kegs though, hex on the liquid, star on the gas (a pretty common combination, but they are both 7/8" so the same star-socket wrench works on both of them). I do have a bunch of kegs with 3/4" posts though, but really, it's not that hard to swap out a socket on a wrench. Even if I bought at the LHBS I would replace all the gaskets, and homebrewshops kill you on pricing with that. You gotta get that stuff at a place like mcmaster. FWIW, I don't mind the idea of supporting local business, and if I had an LHBS I'd probably get kegs there, but I still wouldn't the seals there.

I don't mind supporting local businesses, but I don't appreciate those local business trying to rape me on prices either. Just like local farmers. People say that you should support the local farmers, but when they want like 5.00 for a dozen eggs, whereas I can get a dozen of others for 1.50 - I really don't appreciate that.

[Zulu]

You dont say where you are ...... which makes a difference in shipping .I used https://www.rcbequip.com/ 4x reconditioned kegs for $104 (4 fit into one shipping box too), he has all the other equipment as well. and he lives in NC now , never had a bad keg from him.I agree on the CO2 - get a cylinder from local gas guys , get regulator etc from vendors. His connectors are cheaper than anyone I have ever seen - on sale for $3.95 now