I have a single tap system. However, I would like to be able to start the carbonation of a second keg while serving off the first one. Should I just use sugar to get the carbonation started, or do I need to split my CO2 line to prepare the keg? Is that even possible?
Advice requested.
If it was me, I’d split the CO2 line. AAMOF, that’s what I do. I have a 5 way manifold with an on/off valve and check valve on each output.
Either will work, so do what works best for your setup. I like priming sugar if I don’t have room to cool the keg yet.
If you can keep it cool just move the CO2 line from keg to keg. I do this with 5 kegs and it works fine for now. I’d love to have a manifold but right now it’s dead last on my brewery upgrade wish list. But I wonder if always moving from keg to keg will wear out the disconnects and poppets prematurely?
The o rings would suffer most and they are cheaper than a manifold
You can split the line or switch back and forth. When I was in this situation, I would charge the newer keg with higher psi so the CO2 would have some time to dissolve before I needed to hit it again. However, I got a 3-way manifold very soon after, as I was expanding my setup rapidly. Now I also have a dual-pressure CO2 regulator and a separate line coming in for that, so I can serve at one pressure and carb at another. Good luck.
I prefer to have a manifold with shutoff valves, but all you need is this “t” plus a couple of clamps and some hose to get that second one carbonated. about $5 all told.