Old Beer Meister

[Ron7x]

I have been given an old Beer Meister 1/2 keg system. It has been around and obviously well used. The tower and all plumbing will have to be replaced. I tested the refridgeration tonight. It does cool very well. My guage showed 34 degrees from room level in under 2 hours. This also came with a fairly new 5# CO2 tank.

My question is:

Is this worth buying a new tower and all plumbing? Any advise would be helpfull! A good place to buy these parts would be helpfull too.

Thanks in advance!

[I'mRocketMan]

Can you post a pic?? I'm STILL trying to find out who the mfr is for my SS kegerator...

Cheers! Rocket

[chazwicke]

Yep, I'd like to see a picture too. There are places that sell most of the stuff that you might need. Try the Superior Products online catalog.

[Ron7x]

The Thanksgiving Holiday has slowed me down a bit. I am in the process of restoring the old Beer Meister. I am still in awe that the refridgeration part is working! I'd guess this is from the late 60's.
I'll get pics soon and post them. Actually it looks like all the other beer units I have seen. Looks like nothing much has changed over the years. I'll do before and after pics...this has become my winter project.

Thanks for the warm welcome to a new member of this site.

I Raise my Glass to my fellow Brewsters!

"It's better to burn out than it is to rust"

[I'mRocketMan]

I'll try to post some pix of my upgrades!! The temp control went out (I think) and the evaporator coils froze up... After chipping away the ice to get the kegs out, I shut down the unit for major upgrades.

First the open frame fan has been supplanted by a 5.5" muffin fan. The old galvanized steel front panel has been replaced with an eighth inch sheet of aluminum for the huge fan.
The capillary tube Ranco temp controller is being replaced with a Watlow digital. I still have to get to an electronics store and get a processor fan to move cold air up into the tower, but it's almost there!

I'm testing out my new six-way CO2 manifold for the carbonation and conditioning fridge and getting ready to start carbonating several beers to be ready for Yule!!

Cheers! Rocket

[topgun3208]

a good place to buy draft beer equipment is micromatic.com I deal with them. their shipping is fast too

[Ron7x]

I have a strange question about CO2....can it go bad?

The old Beer Meister came with a 5# CO2 tank. I took for granted it was empty. I put a guage on it today and it shows 750-800! Here's the kicker....it was last filled in 1990!!! The dated paper tag is still on the cylinder.

So....should I dump it and refill or use it as is?

I believe I'll be trying it out this weekend.

Thanks for any advise.

[I'mRocketMan]

As long as the gas doesn't have rusty bits blowing out, you'll be alright!
(Take an old towel and wrap it around the bottle valve, then crack it valve open and close. Look at the towel-does it look clean?)

Cheers! Rocket