Hi,
I ordered one of these and thought I'd put up a review, as I couldn't see any info on the site talking directly about the system. The review will be updated as it is used, so hopefully it will be of use to anyone planning to pick up one of these kits. The main thing will be the taste comparison, both at initial opening and then after 3-4 weeks, when the keg is near empty, in comparison to the bottled version.
The system itself is pretty simple. You get three mini 5ltr kegs, with a dispenser and gas. Here's what it all looks like (the other two kegs were left in work):
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n217/molcochet/kegcontents_zpse073d8a5.jpg) (http://s113.photobucket.com/user/molcochet/media/kegcontents_zpse073d8a5.jpg.html)
Putting the dispenser on is simple. Tighten the rod onto the dispenser, careful not to over tighten as it is a plastic thread. Thanks to Lord Eoin for the tip. I just tighten enough to feel the rubber seal compressing and then stop. The kegs are sealed with a two piece seal, which has a small plug in the bottom. Make sure to put the small insert into the plug with the wide lip at the bottom, so the pressure from the beer keeps it sealed, but at the same time allows it to be pushed into the beer when inserting the dispenser. Here's some action shots :D
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n217/molcochet/kegdispenser_zps00d82421.jpg) (http://s113.photobucket.com/user/molcochet/media/kegdispenser_zps00d82421.jpg.html)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n217/molcochet/keginstalled_zps7945e0e0.jpg) (http://s113.photobucket.com/user/molcochet/media/keginstalled_zps7945e0e0.jpg.html)
Beer filling is pretty standard. Sanatise, rince, then fill beer into the keg until you reach the top of the last bulge, which leaves about 2-3cm clearance inside. Add about 10-13g sugar, then leave it condition as normal.
Here's a look of it in the fridge. They are a bit bigger than I expected, especcially the dispenser which is quite tall. There was a lot of tight maneuvering to get it in without causing any upset in the house ;) However it looks like I can pump the beer without ever even taking it out of the fridge, which is damn handy...
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n217/molcochet/keginfridge_zpsb5c5fc75.jpg) (http://s113.photobucket.com/user/molcochet/media/keginfridge_zpsb5c5fc75.jpg.html)
So far I've filled one of them and I'm waiting for it to condition to try out the beer. I've also bottled a chunk of the batch, so in three weeks I'll pop open both and do a comparison of the bottled vs the kegged beer.
Nice write up, looking forward to seeing how it fairs against bottle conditioning.
Good to see a writs up of these, had been thinking of getting myself but wouldn't have the room seeing yours. Can these be force carved to allow them to drink immediately
Nice job molc :)
Do you know how far up the dip tube is from the bottom of the keg? I'm just wondering about it sucking up the trub from the fermented priming sugar.
Force Carbing:
From what I read, they can't take a lot of pressure, so there is a danger of buckling when trying to force carb. I'd think of it more as cask conditioned beer.
Dip Tube from bottom:
I'll get out the measuring tape and see how far it should go down. I'd say it's quite close to the bottom. I put my special ale in http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=7036.0 (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=7036.0) which was just in the primary for three weeks, so if anything is going to have trub at the bottom, it will be it. The pics will tell us the story regarding the trub :)
Very informative, thanks!
How many co2 cartridges come with these?
Quote from: LordEoin on June 12, 2014, 12:08:26 PM
Very informative, thanks!
How many co2 cartridges come with these?
10. It is rumoured that each can last for two kegs, though I'll believe that when I see it ;)
The BeerNut had some success with reusing the minikegs you get in Lidl as well. Sanitized, filled, primed and stuck a bung in it and it worked as a minicask. Think he said he got 2 uses out of them before they started to look a bit like they might rust.
Great write up I was interested in these for a while. I watch on with interest.
Quote from: molc on June 12, 2014, 12:27:10 PM
Quote from: LordEoin on June 12, 2014, 12:08:26 PM
Very informative, thanks!
How many co2 cartridges come with these?
10. It is rumoured that each can last for two kegs, though I'll believe that when I see it ;)
Nice write-up. I got some of these a little while back, so I'm about a batch ahead of you. You can get more than one keg out of the CO2 canisters, but you need to make sure that when you're tightening the housing to pierce the CO2 cylinder to do it quickly and not stop when you hear the hiss (as I did -twice) or you'll lose most of the CO2. Keep tightening until it's sealed and one will do you more than one keg.
Excellent write up. I will be watching with interest as well.
is it possible to get nitro/co2 mix cartridges for these?? Would love to do a nitro stout without having to sink a heap into cornies, regs, 2 types of tank etc. I know it's probably cheaper in the long run....
Not a clue :) The cartridges are tiny little things :)
Quote from: molc on June 12, 2014, 06:08:35 PM
Not a clue :) The cartridges are tiny little things :)
I was thinking the same thing, I bought a packet of these ages ago but they're smaller than the Co2 cartridges, I wonder could they be made work by wedging them in with paper or something?
https://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/n2o-bulbs-8g-heimo-10-per-box-p-889.html
I have used these for a couple of years
Their biggest advantage is their size, easy to store, carry and put in the fridge. They only take low carbonation, I learned that the hard way, I now have a keg with a round bottom that wont stand up properly. I only use 1-2 teaspoons of sugar per keg for priming but this is fine for british style ales. On average a gas canister lasts me two kegs.
Another dissadvantage is that the plastic fittings are not that strong, especially where the tube joins the dispenser so take care when inserting and removing the tube.
The first pint can be a bit cloudy from yeast being picked up from the bottom but it usually clears after that. If I am opening a new keg for people I will only insert the tube 80% of the way and that ensures they get a clean pint.
Overall they are a good compromise between a keg and a bottle.
Does anybody know if you can get a small beer engine for these?
@molc - was wondering how you got on with this - keg vs bottle conditioned?
I've tried two of the bottles so far and I found them a little sweet still with poor head retention. I'm waiting until it comes up to standard before popping the keg in the fridge. Should only 've about another week or two I'd say. Dec. Great to have the bottles for comparing and constrasting though
So, finally gave this a go with the tap. First co2 canister was a write off as it leaked out the joint, as I hadn't screwed it tightly enough. To solve this, I popped it up slightly and then twisted the head until it rotated in the rubber.
Once I got the drink flowing, with the valve open the whole way, I got a headfull of foam.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/24/u3epeset.jpg)
After 30 minutes this had only resided to:
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/24/typarede.jpg)
For a second try, I set the dispenser to half way open and got this:
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/24/u8ehepyh.jpg)
The bubbles were a bit big, so I need to play with the level a little more to figure it out.
As for taste, I found they had a slightly more metallic tang in aftertaste, but I could be wrong. The first heady drink was actually lovely and had a soft carbonation, whereas the second had more in solution giving it a harsher edge.
I'll update as I experiment, but it works.
As a sidenote, I've been struggling with head retention in my bottle conditioned beer. One thing this had shown me is that the beer is Def. Capable of sustaining it, so does that mean there's something wrong with my carbonation?
You aren't force carbing with a mini-keg so I'd have thought the carbonation was just fine. Maybe your bottles are the problem?
What are you using to clean the bottles? Detergent residue can effect head retention. Also if using a dishwasher don't use rinse aid.
Yeah Chris, I've also been considering that. I was washing out the bottles with a shot of washing up liquid that I thought was well rinced out, followed by a blast of chemipro on bottling day to sanatise. Maybe it's just really hard to rince the washing up liquid out of the bottles...
For my next batch, I've soaked all the bottles with OxiClean and I'm going to give them a quick startsan soak on bottling day to see if that helps things.
So, tonight I decided to do a taste test with the keg vs bottle conditioned. A pic of the two brews. On the left the mini keg, on the right the bottle conditioned beer with a single coopers tab.
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/06/0c799c25bbf7cf7634087a6305dd331c.jpg)
The only difference is the carbonation level. The mini keg has less but a better head, which I got by half depressing the pour near the end. It's a smoother beer with a less harsh carbonation feel when you drink it, otherwise they are the same.
After using the kegs for a bit, I'm a convert. It's got a better mouth feel and its easier on bottling day, while the mini kegs are small enough to chill in the fridge or bring to friends.
That said, it's made me take the plunge to Corni kegging, as I can see the advantages and I like the smoother carb levels I get with the keg.
Thanks for the review Molc.
I wonder did you reuse these mini kegs and how did you get on with them? Did they start to rust or anything?
I will have a few empty mini kegs after Christmas and I would be interested in buying the extra bits to make them reusable.
Thanks
Yup I've reused them and there is no rust issue. That said I get through them very slowly now that I have a proper keg setup, so it's more for beers I'd like to bring to parties or just small leftovers from batches. I have a Russian imperial stout in one that I'm ageing for as long as possible before popping open.
Cheers Molc. The size kind of suits me currently as I have been doing just one gallon brews.Thanks
Quote from: BigDanny84 on December 22, 2014, 02:09:42 PM
Thanks for the review Molc.
I wonder did you reuse these mini kegs and how did you get on with them? Did they start to rust or anything?
I will have a few empty mini kegs after Christmas and I would be interested in buying the extra bits to make them reusable.
Thanks
The Brewferm mini kegs are lacquered on the inside, and if this coating is damaged then the beer will come into contact with the metal keg which is not good at all. That's why its so important to be very very careful while cleaning them. Prob best to use Chemipro Oxi as recommended by Brewferm.
Quote from: HomeBrewWest on December 22, 2014, 07:38:17 PM
Quote from: BigDanny84 on December 22, 2014, 02:09:42 PM
Thanks for the review Molc.
I wonder did you reuse these mini kegs and how did you get on with them? Did they start to rust or anything?
I will have a few empty mini kegs after Christmas and I would be interested in buying the extra bits to make them reusable.
Thanks
The Brewferm mini kegs are lacquered on the inside, and if this coating is damaged then the beer will come into contact with the metal keg which is not good at all. That's why its so important to be very very careful while cleaning them. Prob best to use Chemipro Oxi as recommended by Brewferm.
Thanks for that HBW