Kegs - Are they worth it?

[WobblyTone]

Cheers boingy, its about the only thing I didn`t try.

Keep meaning to get it filled but everytime I go into the brewing shop I manage to spend too much! So keeping away for now.

Keg wise I tend to put some PTFE on any thread and vasoline on any washers, I`m starting to think that maybe the pressure/carbonation is slow because it is so cold in the shed where its kept and I only kept inside the house for a week initially.

[Steve D]

I used 3 KIng Keg top taps with S30 valves for 20+years - no problems provided some simple steps were taken - every so often renew the rubbers on the valve, and use a bit of vaseline on the cap seal. I'd also put a light smear on the threads, not to seal, but to make cap tightening and especially removal easier. Use a cap spanner. A doddle with that. Once the ale is in avoid sloshing it about in case you invert the flat rectangular float if you have that sort on a top tap keg. Disassemble and clean the tap regularly. That's about it. If the S30 cylinder leaks a sharp whack on the pin usually sorts it. If not, get it replaced.

[millmaster]

I have 4 King Kegs bought at various times over the last 10 - 15 or so years. I believe the design has changed over time. There are I think two shapes of cap, one with the edge where it goes from side to top much more rounded, the other more square. I think the rounded edge caps are the newer ones and they don't fit the older kegs very well ( it may be the other way round !! ). This is based on the observations I have made trying to fix a keg that wouldnt seal ( just as you describe ) I seem to have paired caps and kegs up such that all 4 of them hold pressure now ( or maybe just got lucky ! )

As well, there are both clear silicone cap O-rings and black rubber ( ? ) O-rings. The silicone ones in my experience dont last anything like as long as the rubber ones and soon get a flattened cross section. At that point they no longer seal well enough, and need to be replaced ( with a black one if you can get it )

I would agree with Steve D as well, a smear of vaseline on cap seal o-ring and the threads, not bucket loads. Also replace the rubbers on the valve as well - mine seem to last three/four years between replacements.

Someones mentioned it, but the mouldlines or flash on the top of the threads of the Keg, the bit the cap O-ring would seal against when its screwed down, they need to be smoothed down or trimmed off too

[banjokat]

I have three TT King Kegs, they're OK but that's all IMO. Nothing wrong with them but I prefer my beer reasonably well carbonated. Whilst there's always enough CO2 in them to dispense, they don't seem to be able to pressurise enough to actually get CO2 bubbles in the beer, so it always looks a bit flat to me. For this reason I'm considering upgrading to a corny setup. I'm assuming this would let me carbonate the beers to the same level I get when bottling.

As for the King Kegs, I vaseline the seal and a smear on the threads, mainly to facilitate removing the cap as mentioned. I don't use a keg spanner - one of these works fine
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quick-Grip-Irwi ... rip+clamps

Also, I find the taps infuriating, I've just fitted one of these
http://www.home-brew-online.com/equipme ... -tap-p1144
It seems to be working well.

[Fil]

I have three TT King Kegs, they're OK but that's all IMO. Nothing wrong with them but I prefer my beer reasonably well carbonated. Whilst there's always enough CO2 in them to dispense, they don't seem to be able to pressurise enough to actually get CO2 bubbles in the beer, so it always looks a bit flat to me. For this reason I'm considering upgrading to a corny setup. I'm assuming this would let me carbonate the beers to the same level I get when bottling.

just dont forget temp control then yes u can condition to the level u want.. check jims carbonation/conditioning chart sticky for a good reference..

[banjokat]

Thanks fil!

[Redimpz]

When the cylinder won't shut off, give the little pin in the cap a sharp tap on the corner of a table.

just make sure that She is not looking when you do that.

[WobblyTone]

Funnily enough, I drained the stout from the keg and refilled with IPA, good as gold, re-filled the Hambleton bard and it`s pouring cracking pints.

In fact I went and bought a second keg yesterday for the summer lightning, so to answer my own question, yes they are worth it Only going to bottle lagers from now on.