Introduction: Krups Beerteender Conversion

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Since I homebrew, I have wanted to keg my beer and serve it chilled from a tap. However, I have not had the money, nor the space, to invest into a full size kegging operation. I wanted something that looked attractive, was small, easily stored and wouldn't cost to much. This project really fit the bill. I think I spent just under $100 in parts, and since the Krups Beertender was a gift I didn't have to spend any cash on that.

I updated this on 1-27-14 with somethings I learned while using it:
-The Edgestar tap is good, but the regulator is a pain. Buy a real one, and the basic adapter to paintball CO2 route if you go that way.
-Don't bother with the glue
-If you go with Edgestar regulator check the comments for fittings.
I got this idea from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbLjPP7W5Q4

Step 1: Gather Needed Items

For this I used a:
Krups Beertender (model B100)
The Edge Star Mini-Keg Conversion Kit
Drill - If you have a right angle drill, i would use it. Space is very limited
1/8" Drill Bit
7/32" Drill Bit
1/4" Drill Bit
Teflon Tape
*Loctite Clear Silicone Water Proof for Aquariums (if you are able to find specifically food grade sealant, I would use that. However, the aquarium sealant is perfectly safe once cured)
Mini-keg

*This isn't needed and this is what came apart when I had a regulator fail. I rely on friction and have had no problems

Optional
*The 'Adapter II' (make sure it goes paintball to 1/4" right-hand threaded)
*Brass 1/4" to 1/8" Reducer
*Brass 1/8" to 1/8" (short)
**The Adapter
**Regulator
20 oz CO2 Paintball Tank
C-Wrenches
Locking Pliers 

*See comments regarding beer gun regulator nut and 1/4" to 1/4" npt
**I had some major problems with the EdgeStar Regulator and went to a normal regulator and adapter for the paintball co2 tank.

My local sports store sold me a tank for around $25. I switched to this, because the 16g CO2 cartridges run you about $2 a piece, and it costs about $5 to fill the much larger canister. It should save money in the long run

Please keep in mind, with the larger CO2 tank you are dealing with very high air pressure. I used brass fittings, since they can take the pressure. I wouldn't use plastic or PVC on the tank side of the regulator.

Step 2: Adapt the Beer Line

First we need to build you  beer line.

Krups uses a propitiatory tap valve which we need to hi-jack. 

On the beertender tap, pull the tube out of the gray piece, It is just held in with some plastic shims. 

The beer line that comes in the kit is quite long, and you may be tempted to cut it to size. Don't, the longer it is the better the pour. Also, since the beertender tap is designed to be a one time use piece, I imagine that it will be the first thing to fail so its nice having the coupling there to only replace part of the beer line and not the entire thing.

Step 3: Figure Out Where to Place Gasline

When you open the top there are a few things to look for. First there is were the ridge where the lid stops. You want to be below that . However there is also an aluminium plate/sleeve, you want to be above that. I dropped the keg to figure out best placement to give to the gas line a little room to move.

Once I figured out where I wanted to put it, I drilled a pilot with my 1/8" since I didn't want to crack the plastic by going to big to quick. I then used the 7/32", which is just big enough to jam your air line in, However since I had to angle my drill, I needed to used the 1/4" to widen the outside hole to retrieve the line. This is where a right angle drill would have been really great.

Step 4: Tap Your Keg

I used the cleaning bottle to run some vinegar and water through the line to clean it.

I did take apart and wrap with Teflon tape all the joints and couplings I could on the tap.

To tap the keg you need to either remove the existing bung, or if the bung allows for it, run the tap through it.

On the Spaten, I had to remove the bung. First I vented the keg (turned the red knob on top), then pulled the red valve and then the rest of the  bung. I stuck in one of the included orange reusable bung and put the tap in.

Note the arrow on top of the tap. It points to the beer line. Hook up all the quick connects on the tap. Before you put your CO2 on the regulator, turn it all the way to off. Screw all your adapters into the regulator, if you are using a paintball tank screw all the pieces together and add the tank last. Push the clear line into the regulator, and turn it up to about 15psi.

Now you want to grab a soapy rag and check for leaks. I had a gas leak where my gas line connected to the tap. I had to cut and reseat the line and I was good to go.

Step 5: Kick Back and Have Beer

Let the keg get cold (chilling in fridge overnight helps)
Pour beer, and Enjoy!