Setting up a Keg Jockey Box: Step-by-Step Guide

One of the most popular ways of dispensing cold drinks is with a keg jockey box, especially at tailgate parties, picnics, or outdoor events. Even though they are typically easy to use and maintain, it's still necessary to understand how to handle a jockey box.

In this article, we’ll go over all you need to know about jockey boxes, including the way they operate and how to set one up. You will get a complete understanding of jockey box features and be prepared to offer ice-cold beer at your next gathering or event.

How Does a Keg Jockey Box Work?

Have you ever wondered how do jockey boxes work? The principle of their work is quite simple. Beer flows from the keg into the jockey box, where it passes through a jockey box coil made of stainless steel before being dispensed out of the tap. Every time you add ice to the portable beer cooler, it envelops the coils and cools the liquid, giving you a perfectly chilly pint. To answer a frequently asked question, no - electricity is not needed for beer jockey boxes. Just ice and a CO2 tank. They are therefore practical for both indoor and outdoor use.

So, the answer to the question of how to use a keg beer cooler jockey box is as simple as possible. Just add enough ice and connect a CO2 tank.

What Is Required to Set up a Jockey Box for Kegs?

How to set up a beer jockey box? Having the appropriate parts and tools on hand is crucial for a smooth and effective beer jockey box setup. We have compiled a list of every basic component required for the procedure.

Tools Required to Set up a Jockey Box

• A flat-head screwdriver, crescent wrench, or tap wrench

The tool is required to attach and tighten the fittings of the jockey box and adjust the PSI level on the CO2 regulator.

• Tubing cutter

A tubing cutter that is suitable for the material of your beverage lines prevents leakages and provides a clean cut.

• Additional fittings and washers

It might be quite helpful to have a few spare fittings and washers available in case there are any unexpected leaks or breaks during setup or operation. Anyplace in a draught beer system where two pieces of metal come into touch with one another, rubber washers should be utilized.

• CO2 cylinder and regulator

To guarantee correct dispensing when using a jockey box with a direct-draw system, you will require a CO2 tank and regulator. The regulator allows you to adjust the gas flow and release, while the CO2 tank helps maintain the necessary pressure for carbonation.

• Cooler and ice

These are necessary to maintain the cool, refreshing temperature of your drinks. Make sure your cooler is well-insulated and large enough to fit your jockey box setup, and that you have enough ice on hand to last the entire duration of the event.

Parts required for hooking up a jockey box:

1. Jockey box
2. Keg(s) filled with beverage(s)
3. CO2 cylinder
4. The dispensing kit comes with everything you need to start pouring right away, including two types of tubing (for your beer and gas lines), a coupler to connect both, and a CO2 regulator.

If you don’t know how to set up a two-tap jockey box, the answer is - the same way as single-tap models. You will need the same parts and tools for hooking up and using it. A two-tap jockey box allows you to pour 2 beer varieties at a time. It is a great choice for larger outdoor events or parties.

Steps to Follow for Setting up a Jockey Box

The process of setting up a jockey box is not that difficult. It includes a few essential steps, which we outline below.

1. Attach CO2 regulator

Using a crescent wrench, tighten the connection between the regulator and the CO2 tank. You can adjust the optimal pressure for the beer by turning the dial on the front of the regulator, which controls the gas flow to the keg.

2. Attach CO2 lines

Connect one end of the CO2 line to the regulator's output and the other end to the coupler's input.

3. Attach beverage lines

Connect one end of the beverage jumper to your jockey box's input. Depending on the model, inputs can be on the front or the back.

4. Attach beer taps

5. Connect couplers

6. Adjust the gas pressure

After opening the CO2 tank and turning on the valve, adjust the pressure using the regulator.

7. Fill the jockey box’s coils
8. Check all connections for gas and beverage leaks.
9. Add ice
10. Give all the stainless steel components that your beer will come into contact with ten to fifteen minutes to acclimatize. You will have an ideal pour after the cooler and all of its components are at the same temperature.

You’ve successfully finished setting up jockey box and prepared it to pour tasty chilled draft beer!

What Size Coil Should I Use in a Jockey Box?

Now we come to another important question: what size coil should I use in a jockey box?

The jockey box coil size depends on the quantity of beer and the number of varieties you are going to dispense via the jockey box.

That will determine whether you want to go with a larger, 48-QT model with up to five faucets to dispense five different types of beer at once, or a smaller, 16-QT jockey box with just one faucet. Remember, the longer coil the better liquid chilling while it travels to the tap. For a larger events, we recommend utilizing a 120 ft. cooling coil.

Before using the coils for the first time, run a beer line cleaner through them, to remove any manufacturing residue, then flush with hot water.

Use a no-rinse sanitizer to disinfect the coils after cleaning and after every use. A hand pump or pressurized cleaning keg can be used to push these solutions through the coils. To achieve even better cleanliness of the dispensing point, we recommend paying attention to the bar drip tray.

How Much Ice to Fill a Jockey Box?

And the last, but not the least question you could wonder is how much ice to fill a jockey box. It depends on the jockey box size and model. The important point here is to fill the cooler completely.

Useful tip: To get a smooth and steady pouring flow, create an ice bath, filling the cooler with water to the level of the shank assembly, without going over it.

After the cooler is filled with ice, wait for ten to fifteen minutes (or longer, depending on the environmental conditions) so that all the stainless steel components that your beer will come into touch with can get acclimated. You will have an ideal pour after the cooler and all of its components are at the same temperature. When condensation forms on the faucets and they feel cold to the touch, it means the system is ready.