I have a dual faucet kegerator coming shortly. I know it can hold one 5 lb. CO2 and 2 corny kegs. I started to think about being able to pour two beers and think I may have an issue.
My regulator is a standard single product regulator. If I want to be able to pour two pints without switching the gas lines, will I need a two product regulator or possible a 2-way manifold?
You are really testing my sarcasm aren’t you? I badly want to say No, the other keg will get its co2 by osmosis. I want to say that but I won’t cuz im better than that. You’ll need a dual regulator (handy if you want two different serving pressures), or a Y with on off valves on two ends of the Y
Let’s not go that far…but thanks Jim!
Y option is perfectly fine if you just need one serving pressure (and cheap!). Dual regs are sweet, but not needed if you aren’t too worried about serving Belgians and bitters at the same time.
A Y or T adapter is fine in most cases. You’ll have the pressure set the same on both, but for starting out, it will work.
You’re going to want something like this. I would call and verify that each shutoff valve has its own check valve (I have the 4 valve version of this product and they do). That will prevent keg “crosstalk” - where gas from one keg can flow into the other.
I would set up the the entire system to use 1/4" MFL rather than barbs. For example, use these (Ball Lock Disconnect- 1/4"MFL Liquid) instead of these (Ball Lock Disconnect- 1/4" Barb Liquid).
Also, consider using stepless ear clamps instead of worm gear clamps. You can get the necessary clamping tool on Ebay for about $10.
Edit: Don’t forget these flared nylon washers for your metal to metal connections (but you don’t need to use them on the keg disconnects).
Edit 2: It’s likely that the draft tower coming with your kegerator has chrome elbow shanks. I would suggest replacing them with stainless steel elbow shanks. You can get them at www.micromatic.com.
+1 on Oetiker clamps. I was having all sorts of problems with leaking CO2, but could never find the source. Replaced all my clamps with the proper Oetiker ones, haven’t had an issue since. They’re worth the cost.
I have a “T” in my set up but when I have an uncarbonated beer that I want to hook up to the system, I’m left with the dilemma of whether or not I want to fuss w/changing my pressure or not. I’m getting closer to going w/a double regulator so that I can dispense and carbonate at the same time.