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I am about to embark on my first brew in over 28 years and rather than moving into bottles, I would like to get set-up for Kegs. I purchased a fridge off kijiji that has been modified for a tap in the middle of the door and I think it will hold two Kegs.

I see that Noble Grape has a starter kit for draft beer with a 5lb tank of CO2 and a 19l refubished keg for $269 (or with a 10lb CO2, $319, 15 lb 329 etc) or with a new keg for $60 more. Is this a good deal or should I be looking on kijiji or on this forum? A tap for the fridge is $69. I am also looking at getting a temperature controller for the fridge that I bought so that I can control my fermenting temperatures. If anyone has one of the those they are looking to sell, I would be interested.

Earl

I would check out Ontario Beer Kegs for kits. I dont think youll beat his prices, even with shipping.
for the temp controller, I believe most build their own, using the $20 STC 1000 units from ebay.

Check Ontario Beer Kegs first for the co2 and tap hardware. Most people would also recommend the higher quality perlick taps.

I got my starter from OBK and they are awesome. Also replaced my original tap with a perlick as x mentioned which I would highly recommend as well.

OBK FTW.

I jut got the two-tap kit for my neighbour and it was awesome. I also highly recommend going the perlick route, it's an extra $27 but well worth it IMO. I have a mix of both chrome and perlick and I'll be upgrading as soon as finances allow me to.

What's the difference between the chrome and perlick?

They are both made by Perlick FWIW, but the more expensive models do not stick because of the way they close. Worth every extra penny. I have yet to hear of a person who has regretted the extra expense.

+1 on the perlicks, (as I put away the hammer & wrench I had to use on the chrome tap so I could get a beer out of it...)
Sooon...VERY soon...for my upgrade...not sposed to be a fight to get a beer!

I used the Perlicks at Rubbertoes and they were fucking awesome. I never knew that it was a big difference, until I used them.
Well worth the money.
HP

I went with the per licks as well. They are awesome. They pour so smooth.

I am new to kegging too, and I am probably going to purchase the Cobra Tap - Complete Kit from Ontario Beer Kegs while their Black Friday sale is on this weekend. I figure I might as well go with the complete kit this weekend because they have $15 flat rate shipping. I figured the cobra tap would probably be best since I don't have a Kegerrator yet, but am wondering if I will regret it. Does anyone know if it is possible to store a cornelius keg lying on its side while hooked up to the regulator for dispensing? Are the cobra taps likely to leak everywhere? Should I be considering something else? I want to keep the costs down, while avoiding a mess and wasted beer.

On it's side in the fridge?

I played with this idea with a 3 gallon keg. I'd reverse the posts, use a slight angle forward.

OldMalt wrote:I am new to kegging too, and I am probably going to purchase the Cobra Tap - Complete Kit from Ontario Beer Kegs while their Black Friday sale is on this weekend. I figure I might as well go with the complete kit this weekend because they have $15 flat rate shipping. I figured the cobra tap would probably be best since I don't have a Kegerrator yet, but am wondering if I will regret it. Does anyone know if it is possible to store a cornelius keg lying on its side while hooked up to the regulator for dispensing? Are the cobra taps likely to leak everywhere? Should I be considering something else? I want to keep the costs down, while avoiding a mess and wasted beer.

you'll be fine with a cobra tap, they are a cheap and excellent alternative. They don't leak, unless you accidentally push on the thumb tap. You can store your keg on it's side but you will eventually have to stand it up to get at the remainder of the beer.

they also leak if you accidently leave the tap open after you quick carbonate them and attach them... i guess that's not really a leak more of a fuck me what a mess!