By: Mike Dixon

Anyone who kegs should have the ability to check the pressure of his or her kegs. This can assist with both carbonation, and keg rebuilding. A keg pressure tester/bleeder is easily constructed from readily available off the shelf components. (Ace Hardware, Agri-Supply, American Brewmaster, www.superprod.com, www.rcbequip.com, www.stpats.com, www.foxxequipment.com)

The necessary parts are:

Adjustable Wrench

Teflon tape

1 Brass ¼" FPT Tee

1 ¼" MPT Needle Valve, or a ¼" MPT Stopcock

1 ¼" MPT x ¼" MFL Union

1 ¼" FFL Swivel

1 ¼" MPT 0-30 psi gauge, or 0-60 psi gauge

1 ¼" MFL Ball lock gas disconnect, or Pin lock gas disconnect

To assemble:

1) Screw the gauge into the tee using teflon tape on the threads and the adjustable wrench to tighten.

2) Screw the stopcock or the needle valve into the tee using teflon tape on the threads and the adjustable wrench to tighten.

3) Screw the MPT end of the union into the tee using teflon tape on the threads and the adjustable wrench to tighten.

4) Screw the swivel to the union using the adjustable wrench to tighten. Since this is a flare fitting (MFL), no tape will be required.

5) Screw the swivel to the ball lock or pin lock gas disconnect. Again, since this is a flare fitting, no tape will be required. Be aware that the swivel will most likely slightly deform the plastic on the disconnect.

Now the pressure tester/bleeder can be installed on the keg and used to insure pressure is being held in the keg, to allow the pressure to be reduced inside the keg to the desired amount by using the stopcock or needle valve, as a slow pressure release for doing keg to keg filling, and many more uses. Every homebrewer should have one, and now you can too.