The list is going to be mostly USA specific (I’ll come back with links), but many of the fittings are from Kegland (Australia), so we get a blend of “freedom” units and metric
We’ll start with level 1:
Tools: Depending on what exactly your goals are, you’ll need
I’ll be specifying push-in fittings because they’re so much nicer to use.
Kegerator: obviously not a hard requirement. You can build a “keezer” out of a chest freezer, or bore a hole in your fridge for the faucet, or even use a picnic tap on a keg in the fridge (but you’ll also have to get your gas line in the fridge which means also putting the tank in there, or boring a hole for the line anyway)
CO2 tank: These come in 5, 10, and 20lb sizes commonly available at welding shops, and are almost universally swapped out instead of refilled (so don’t get attached). Check your prices for a new tank on the internet before you go to the welding shop to buy one. They will likely overcharge you for the first tank (by a hundred dollars), but they’ll like it if you bring them a shiny new one and might give you a discount. My 10lb tank lasts us about 6 months and I have a backup 5lb tank.
CO2 regulator: If you’re planning on beer taps too, go for a dual regulator right away and save yourself the hassle (serving beer is low pressure vs high pressure for water). Try to find one with a threaded output (“flare”) instead of a barbed output (or bonus points for having a push-in fitting already).
Keg: I use 2.5 or 5 gallon ball-lock cornelius (corny/soda) kegs
Gas and beer/water tubing:
I use evabarrier only. All the fittings will be 8mm push-in (typically “duotight”) so get a length of 8mm x 4mm for liquid, and 8mm x 5mm for gas. These are the conventions for beer, and I just followed them for water.
I always recommend a check valve on the CO2 line, but it isn’t a hard requirement (until we plumb the water line in level 2).
Optional: keg lid with diffusion stone (or buy the stone and attach it to your gas post to save a little, but you’ll need matching hose and clamps.
Level 2:This assumes you have completed level 1
Additional tools: none!
I’m going to assume you have a standard angle stop (like your toilet) for your water line. And I’m going to assume your plumber was nice enough to attach a 3/8" (9.5mm) push-in fitting.
Tubing:
9.5mm evabarrier to connect to the output that we’ll step down to our “standard” beer dispensing 8mm. I have about 4 inches of it before reducing
I’m on this journey myself; lay out that parts list, my man
The list is going to be mostly USA specific
(I’ll come back with links), but many of the fittings are from Kegland (Australia), so we get a blend of “freedom” units and metricWe’ll start with level 1:
Tools: Depending on what exactly your goals are, you’ll need
I’ll be specifying push-in fittings because they’re so much nicer to use.
Kegerator: obviously not a hard requirement. You can build a “keezer” out of a chest freezer, or bore a hole in your fridge for the faucet, or even use a picnic tap on a keg in the fridge (but you’ll also have to get your gas line in the fridge which means also putting the tank in there, or boring a hole for the line anyway)
CO2 tank: These come in 5, 10, and 20lb sizes commonly available at welding shops, and are almost universally swapped out instead of refilled (so don’t get attached). Check your prices for a new tank on the internet before you go to the welding shop to buy one. They will likely overcharge you for the first tank (by a hundred dollars), but they’ll like it if you bring them a shiny new one and might give you a discount. My 10lb tank lasts us about 6 months and I have a backup 5lb tank.
CO2 regulator: If you’re planning on beer taps too, go for a dual regulator right away and save yourself the hassle (serving beer is low pressure vs high pressure for water). Try to find one with a threaded output (“flare”) instead of a barbed output (or bonus points for having a push-in fitting already).
Keg: I use 2.5 or 5 gallon ball-lock cornelius (corny/soda) kegs
Gas and beer/water tubing: I use evabarrier only. All the fittings will be 8mm push-in (typically “duotight”) so get a length of 8mm x 4mm for liquid, and 8mm x 5mm for gas. These are the conventions for beer, and I just followed them for water.
Fittings:
Level 2: This assumes you have completed level 1 Additional tools: none!
I’m going to assume you have a standard angle stop (like your toilet) for your water line. And I’m going to assume your plumber was nice enough to attach a 3/8" (9.5mm) push-in fitting.
Tubing:
Fittings:
Thanks for the info, I especially like the cheeky note about the novelty tap handle! I’m going to save this into my second brain for 2025 doings
You’re welcome! It’s a fun project and journey. Feel free to message if you have questions.