National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: wartotojas on August 29, 2015, 11:45:56 AM

Title: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: wartotojas on August 29, 2015, 11:45:56 AM
Hi All,

Looking for a bit of advice or your opinions. Currently planing to start using mini kegs as bottling is the worst part of homebrewing for me. Main reason for choosing mini kegs is very limited space in my apartment, so corny kegs are not an option at the moment. While wondering around and trying to read as much as I can about mini kegs came across this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Biermaxx-Bierzapfanlage-mit-3-CO2-Kapseln-Bier-Kuhlsystem-Zapfanlage-/261985503721?hash=item3cff8d89e9

Question is if anyone uses something similar?

This looks like a good value for me and would be handy to have it. Keep them kegs cool all the time and not to use up space in a fridge. New co2 dispenser for mini kegs is around 55e on its own here, so this is why I would rather buy Bier Maxx.

Any opinions are welcome and thanks for feedback
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: donnchadhc on September 08, 2015, 10:13:57 AM
Thinking of getting one of these myself, did you pull the trigger? Wondering if the tap can be half pulled to give some form of flow control?
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: wartotojas on September 08, 2015, 07:43:50 PM
ordered one, on the way via DHL, should have it by the end of the week

will see how good it is gonna be. I wonder if there is gonna be any room to modify it and adapt some sort of co2 regulator, or even hook it up to external tank so wouldn't have to play around with them 16g co2 capsules
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: darren996 on September 08, 2015, 08:44:30 PM
They look good. Can u do a review when you get it. I had a mini keg system but sold it on because I didnt have the space in the fridge, but this would be ideal if it can chill the kegs
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: wartotojas on September 08, 2015, 09:02:09 PM
I am not the best reviewer :D but will definitely give my impressions on it. oh, and don't have any homebrews in minikegs yet, so this might only be in few weeks time.
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: darren996 on September 08, 2015, 09:23:32 PM
No hassle... keep us posted, maybe a few unboxing pics... get brewin...
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: wartotojas on September 08, 2015, 09:28:03 PM
sure, will keep you updated.

these are selling like hell on eBay, so hopefully they are worth some time and money anyways
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: phoenix on September 09, 2015, 01:57:46 PM
I bought one of these myself today, one would assume the kegs from HBC will fit?

https://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/minikeg-and-bung-p-351.html
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: darren996 on September 09, 2015, 04:16:52 PM
Looks to be a standard keg
http://www.humleland.dk/BierMaxx.htm
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: wartotojas on September 10, 2015, 10:07:26 PM
i'd say the standard ones goes into it.

better be, I have six of them lined up already and some beer to be kegged in next few days   :)
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: wartotojas on September 15, 2015, 12:52:50 PM
Mine arrived today. Here are some pics for those who are interested.

Few first impressions:
-Quality seems to be reasonable for the price
-Detailed manual included (need to read it first though)
-Bigger than I imagined
- co2 flow can be adjusted, there is a knob on top (didn't see that mentioned in any descriptions)
-temperature display seems to be very accurate.
-beer flow can be adjusted as tap looks like is not just on/off (that need to be confirmed with actual beer  ;D )

will play around with it more after work.
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: molc on September 15, 2015, 02:21:48 PM
Wow, it's big! Well wear, let us know how you get on.
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: Leann ull on September 15, 2015, 02:34:58 PM
wonder could you mod it to replace those fecky co2 canisters?
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: darren996 on September 15, 2015, 04:52:07 PM
So can you set a temp on it? Will it chill the beer or will it just keep it cool? Let us know how you get on with it
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: phoenix on September 15, 2015, 10:44:03 PM
Quote from: darren996 on September 15, 2015, 04:52:07 PM
So can you set a temp on it? Will it chill the beer or will it just keep it cool? Let us know how you get on with it
I got mine today too, looks great. Yes you can set a temp and it will chill down to and maintain that temp. Manual says it can take up to 15 hours to get down to serving temp from room temp, so not sure how practical that is. Says you are better off keeping your next keg in the fridge ready to go.
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: wartotojas on September 16, 2015, 09:58:57 AM
Quote from: CH on September 15, 2015, 02:34:58 PM
wonder could you mod it to replace those fecky co2 canisters?

I imagine so, top part is just a plastic lid, not even insulated too much, so drilling a small hole for gas line to go outside shouldn't be a problem. I am not very DIY person, so will take it to somebody who is  ;D

a newbie question about kegging, co2 part. could anybody guide me on what's needed? I know from reading around co2 tankfrom AJ would be the best option. than a regulator? what type and where to get?(prefer to get it now and pay extra 5-10 rather order online and wait few weeks) and gas line itself? connectors? do I miss anything?

thanks
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: Leann ull on September 16, 2015, 06:49:23 PM
loads on forum about it do a search read the wikki, you are the 4th in 3 weeks that just missed a group buy on regs, good luck with the 5 or 10  :(
All the HB shops sell them and check out done deal as well 
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: phoenix on September 17, 2015, 10:02:51 AM
Ive noticed a drawback with this when I powered it on - the fan is far from silent which kind of rules out leaving it in a living space. Hopefully the fan is only on when its actively cooling, otherwise Ill have to look at replacing it.
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: wartotojas on September 17, 2015, 10:21:03 AM
Quote from: phoenix on September 17, 2015, 10:02:51 AM
Ive noticed a drawback with this when I powered it on - the fan is far from silent which kind of rules out leaving it in a living space. Hopefully the fan is only on when its actively cooling, otherwise Ill have to look at replacing it.

did a little test run another night. filled one keg with cold tap water and left it in a cooler. dropped from 22 to 12 degrees in just under an hour. and fan is only on when it is cooling and periodically when maintains the temperature. so it is not that bad.
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: darren996 on September 17, 2015, 11:32:38 AM
Quote from: wartotojas on September 17, 2015, 10:21:03 AM
Quote from: phoenix on September 17, 2015, 10:02:51 AM
Ive noticed a drawback with this when I powered it on - the fan is far from silent which kind of rules out leaving it in a living space. Hopefully the fan is only on when its actively cooling, otherwise Ill have to look at replacing it.

did a little test run another night. filled one keg with cold tap water and left it in a cooler. dropped from 22 to 12 degrees in just under an hour. and fan is only on when it is cooling and periodically when maintains the temperature. so it is not that bad.
Damn.. now i have to get one of these...
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: wartotojas on September 17, 2015, 03:06:54 PM
left mine to a friend, over weekend he's gonna take lid apart and see if there is a handy way to get that gas line out. fingers crossed
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: wartotojas on September 21, 2015, 11:58:36 AM
had a bit of disaster yesterday. tapped a keg and it did not seal properly, so all pressure from keg as well as co2 cartridge was lost. only managed to pour two pints. here is a pic of it. I wonder if rubber bung should touch the top of the stem.
Title: Re: Biermaxx mini kegerator/dispenser
Post by: wartotojas on November 09, 2015, 01:48:06 PM
Wondering if anyone has built something similar:
http://forum.northernbrewer.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=61167&p=894776

After few kegs I found plastic parts to be quite poor quality and very fragile, don't think they are gonna last a long time. System described above seem to be good option. Any good hardware or plumbing store around Dublin that would have all the bits and pieces?