Jockey Box Functionality

[caudio51]

Scenario:

A few friends and myself have a shore house that we go to on the weekends. We would like to dispense kegs but don't have the space for another fridge and I've run across a couple issues I don't know the answers to.

1). If the keg is placed in a somewhat warm (no AC) kitchen maybe around 75 degrees, will a 50 ft coil of copper/stainless be enough to cool the liquid?
2). Can jockey boxes be used for longer than a day? More than likely a keg would last us two weekends. Are there any issues with that time frame if pushed with CO2?
3). Is there something else I should be moving towards?


Homegrown's step by step is great and if it will work I'd like to move in that direction.
http://thebrewingnetwork.com/forum/vie ... ght=jockey

The coilin in this thread looks very nice too.
http://thebrewingnetwork.com/forum/vie ... ght=jockey

Thanks

[BadRock]

As long as air is never introduced into the system you should be fine.

50' of 3/8" copper or stainless will be sufficient.

Must be rough a beach house with beer!

[Bugeater]

If you are going to leave beer in it for any length of time you want to avoid copper. About the best price I have seen for stainless steel tubing is: http://www.servu-online.com/Bar-Equipme ... -Abeco.asp

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[caudio51]

Thanks Wayne

I read that copper has the best ability to transfer the cold to the beer but may impart flavors.

As I mentioned, the beer could be in there for up to two weeks so stainless certainly makes sense.

[bub]

check a thread about someone here having a cold plate for sale...
I don't think I will be able to do the trade so you might have a chance there.
BUB

[soilpharm]

Yo,
This is the best way to go. I have tested this in the field (i.e. outdoor parties) and it works great! I use kayak drybags similar to these:

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_deta ... 1586791422

I put the keg inside, and put a couple of bags of ice in around the keg. The bag is totally waterproof, so I dont have to worry about leakage. The ice drops to the bottom and keeps the beer closest to the draw tube the coldest. You can have the picnic tap line running out of the top, and the CO2 running in. Just tie off the top. This works especially good, because if you get the right size bag, then you can put the keg in the bag with the ice before you leave for the cottage, and have cold beer for when you get there - no worries about water leaking out. Works great!

Cheers,
Aa

[Homegrown Hops]

For what its worth, I used my Jockey Box all last Summer while in Oregon working for the USFS. On occasion a keg would last me 3 weeks, the shitty part of the deal was carrying the ice the 1/2 mile into the cabin that I was living in at the time. I would have to refresh the ice once every 2-3 days depending on how hot it was. I agree with Wayne on the Servu-online which is where I got the coils for my box. The only thing I need now is to retro fit the box with Sanke couplers in the event I get some cans from the brewery. Good luck with your choice and PM me if you have any concerns/questions.

HH

[Mr. Big]

I have multiple jockey boxes, using cold plates with stainless tubing inside the aluminum block. I really prefer them to the coil of stainless steel, most likely because I got them for free. One thing, make sure your beer is flowing and under pressure in the coil or cold plate BEFORE putting ice on it. Any liquid not under pressure will freeze. Good luck