Kegging for Canadians - Questions

[bigmf]

I'm considering the move to kegging, but I have a few issues to iron out, and I wanted any insight members of this board might have.

First, I and most Canadians brew 5 imperial gallons which is 6 u.s. gallons. Therefore is I got the 5 gallon cornelius kegs I'd have 1 U.S. Gallon left for bottling. I could get the 3 gallon kegs but they seem to be selling for close to $100 U.S. wherever they are on sale, and often the seller wont ship to Canada.

Secondly, I don't know if the 5 gallon kegs would fit in my beer fridge, while I'm almost certain the 3 gallon would.

I do like the idea of kegging some and bottling the rest. If I did the 3 gallon kegs I'd be bottling half the batch. Priming on that half batch would be easy - 1/2 cup of sugar. If I went with the 5 gallon kegs it would be about 0.15 of a cup of sugar, which would be difficult to measure.

So what I'm looking for for the board is any knowledge of where to buy 3 gallon kegs at a reasonable price, with shipping to Canada. Or you could try to change my mind about the 5 gallon kegs and point me to a cheap price for those.

Advice from a fellow Canadian who has gone through with this would be especially helpful. (I'm looking in your direction jughead!) :eek:

Thanks in advance.

M.

[YamahaXS]

you might try this guy... he is out of california.

http://www.brewersdiscount.com/productCat15956.ctlg

I bought a kegging system from him. Good product at good prices. Don't know about shipping to Canada though.


Looks like he has 3 gal cornies for 32 USD

[Jughead]

I use the 5 gal kegs, so I usually have 3 or 4 liters left over for bottling. Using 500ml bottles, that's 6 to 8 bottles, which is about the right amount for me to take a few over to friends and give a few away. I prime each bottle on its own with 1/2 tsp sugar, then shake each one.

I've seen 5 gal used kegs for sale in Calgary at the Vineyard ($50 CAD I think) You can order them from Saskatoon from www.paddockwood.com ($35 CAD but may need new seals).

I got mine from a recycler in Calgary. The price varied from 0 to $20 CAD depending on who I spoke to there. I cannot remember the name of the place right now, and they only have them occasionally. They sell them as is, so they will need seals, and they may be in bad shape. As far as I know they only handle coke, not pepsi. Let me know if you are interested and I'll come up with the name.

If you find a good cheap source for 3 gal kegs around here, I'd be interested too.

Cheers

[bigmf]

I would be interested in the name of the recycler, Jughead. Thank you.

M.

[suds]

Here's a place in Saskatoon selling used kegs:

Paddock Wood Brewing Supplies (http://www.paddockwood.com/catalog_equipment_kegging.html)

I've never used them - I just googled for it.

Here's an ebay ebay.com (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2563381350&category=11875) one that ships worldwide (it's in the US).

[GunNut76]

Originally posted by Jughead
I use the 5 gal kegs, so I usually have 3 or 4 liters left over for bottling. Using 500ml bottles, that's 6 to 8 bottles, which is about the right amount for me to take a few over to friends and give a few away. I prime each bottle on its own with 1/2 tsp sugar, then shake each one.


You should try Prime-Tabs (NAYY) Jughead. I switched to them after bottleing two batches using your meathod...so much eaisier. Just drop 4 tabs per 12 ounces (US) in each bottle and fill 'em up. There is enough tabs for 5 US gallons so it should last you for awhile (at least 4 batches)

[Jughead]

Thanks gunnut

I think I'll give them a try. Fiddling with the funnel and measuring spoon is no fun.

Bigmf, check your email!

Cheers

[GunNut76]

Sorry Jughead I forgot to mention that with the tabs you can adjust your carb level by adding or subtracting tabs. I stated 4 because that is what I use and it gives me a medium carb level.