Advice on Barrelling please

[Rango]

Hi All,

a little advice required please,,, I am about to barrel about 18ltr of wilko real ale, having never barrelled before i need advice please.

The plan is to leave the brew until xmas
I have heard you need to vaseline the rubber washer(?) in the screw cap of the barrel, is that right ?
also, i have bought some co2 capsules (again from wilko) they aren't huge, would one be enough, how will i know ??

I understand why the brew will need the co2 in the barrel, but is there anything i should do to ensure that I don't get excited about drinking at xmas and then being let down on the day ??

[Ditch]

Rango; I never put vaseline on my seals. I also don't try to screw them down like they should never again come off.

I no longer use gas either.

I have no problems. I never have, in years.

[Geezah]

A little smear of vaseline on the o-ring so the seal 'slips' on the neck of the keg rather than 'grips' and buckles when you screw on the cap.
As Ditch said, you only want the cap on finger tight.

Prime your keg with 80g of sugar, that should produce enough co2 to add a slight sparkle to the ale and allow you to dispense 1/3-1/2 a keg before using a bulb of co2.