Your email address will not be published. ; Gas Manifolds, Shut Off Valves 2, 3 and 4-way gas manifolds along with shut-off valves. Pin Lock Post Set - Firestone Keg - Used/reconditioned. You need to remove these with the help of a crescent wrench or socket wrench. Make sure that you have your fermenter higher than your keg in order to take advantage of gravity, also elevate your keg enough that your siphon hose will reach the bottom of the keg. On this blog, I'm dedicated to answering your questions (and many of my own) on how to brew beer to enjoy with friends and family. Once you have purchased your keg and pressurizing equipment, you are ready to rack your homemade beer and fill up that keg. Attach the liquid line to ‘out’ post on the keg and you are ready to pour. Not an issue I thought – I’ll just replace the connection posts up top easily. One will be labeled Out, that’s the liquid post and the other in, that’s the gas post. Always ensure that you use quality materials and check for gas leakage regularly. Includes New Poppets with o-rings. If the beer is pasteurized then it will last a lot longer from a minimum of 3 months up to 6 months. Growlers have been used for at least a couple hundred years but are now pressurized vessels used to keep beer for only a day or so before drinking it. Even after you have fermented your beer it is very important to store it in clean containers to avoid its exposure to bacteria. Also, ball lock kegs typically have a pull-pin pressure relief valve built into the lid, where the the pin lock kegs don’t. Drive at a steady pace and don’t slam on the breaks. Let’s say you have a kegerator but only space for one or two kegs at a time? Yes, this is possible with bigger American package delivery companies but only if you are licensed and if you are sending it to a supplier of beer rather than a consumer. By normal dispensing, I mean purely pouring beer from the keg through your beer tap into your glass at about 10-12 PSI in the keg. All our 5 gallon kegs are in used condition. You may have a different thread type to our 19L New Ball Lock Kegs which are 19/32" Liquid and Gas. The sixth barrel kegs are nominally larger in size and volume compared to the Cornelius keg. During the racking phase you have introduced oxygen into your keg, so the first thing we want to do is to get rid of that. This type of keg is also about 3 inches shorter than a ball lock type and about one inch smaller in diameter. The pin lock kegs use a “Pin Lock Disconnect” shown in the top Generally, the effect of using nitrogen is to make the beer very creamy. I'm passionate about all things beer. 20 PSI for about 2-3 days is a good estimate for most beers. Get the Most Out of Your Sanitizer. The question often arises as to whether or not Ball-lock and Pin-lock kegs posts can be interchanged. Remember that even stale beer is drinkable and won’t harm you (except maybe your taste buds), but we all want to enjoy fresh tasting beer. As you begin to empty your fermenter be aware of the sediment level and make sure that you don’t transfer this into your keg. 2. In order to test for any leaks, dab each connection with a soapy cloth and get some foam on them. If none are found, consider covering the entire empty keg in soapy foam and pressuring it, you may have a rare faulty keg with a busted seam. If you skipped this step you could at best lead to flat beer, at worse and in extreme cases, it could lead to death. Yes! Get the Most Out of Your Sanitizer, Only transport beer on a cool day or at the coolest time of day to avoid heat from deteriorating your beer, Carry the beer (with someone else if needed) and don’t roll or drop the keg. BeerCreation.com also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Place the lid, both posts and gas post’s short dip tube in a container with a sanitizing solution for about 2 minutes and then allow to air dry. Disassemble them and rinse them in a sanitizing solution for at least 30 minutes – 1 hour to really remove any organic build-up inside. Sometimes as a homebrewer, you make more beer than you can drink, not the worse crime in the world I know. Attach your CO2 regulator to the gas cylinder ensuring it is tight. It’s a long skinny style keg and uses a ball lock on its connections, hence the name. I have canvased the forums and Facebook groups and found every expert and user to ask them what they thought and knew about beer kegs. New posts are generally as much as the cost of a used keg and so most people opt to purchase disconnects instead. Also, it’s a good idea to just do this after each keg is empty to avoid a build-up of nasty bacteria in them. It might be better if you just drink that beer yourself or make a road trip. Although the coupler is harder to disassemble in comparison to the Corny keg setups, it does limit the chance of a CO2 leak because it only has one connection. It should come away easily enough now. There are many options for beer taps. ; Gas & Beer Line Tubing, Clamps Beer and gas line tubing along with hose clamps. Higher temperatures may result in more pressure within the tank whereas lower temperatures can reduce the pressure. Can you disconnect one keg in order to accommodate the newest member of the club? They have a 9/16-18 thread on both the gas and liquid side. Nicknames: Pony Keg, Stubby Quarter These were used for Coke (pin lock) and Pepsi (ball lock) in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s but they no longer use them and they are availble to brewers although they are increasingly difficult to obtain. The posts normally require a 13/16" socket with either 2 (gas) or 3 (liquid) slots cut out for the pins. Actual size varies based on manufacturer and model. By far the most common gas to use for kegging beer is Carbon Dioxide. Cornelius Kegs aka Corny Kegs have been in use for several decades primarily by the major soda companies for the storage, transport and dispensing of their soda brands.Coke used the Pin Lock style and Pepsi used the Ball Lock Style.Since the invent of the soda bag in box system, they became virtually obsolete to the major soda brands, however they found new life and purpose with home brewers. by: Mike Dixon. Pin lock kegs were most associated with the Coca-cola brand and used a pin lock system for their coupling connections. If the beer is unpasteurized then it will last for about two months. If you have successfully racked and carbonated your beer you can remove it from the gas system and store it in a cool place for a number of weeks without fear of it suffering from going flat or becoming oxygenated. Hook up your gas line to the ‘In’ side of the keg and introduce some CO2 until you stop hearing the hiss of it entering the keg at which point turn it off. Ensure that you purge the first pint or so either through an inbuilt bleeding system or by slowly opening your beer tap and allowing the foamy beer to escape. This fits both gas and liquid posts. My name is Phil and I'm the creator of Beercreation.com. Keg Fittings A large selection of fittings for your kegs and dispensing system. The other day I got a message from a friend asking me questions about homebrewing. If it’s not flat, drink it down! Reconditioned 5 Gallon Pin Lock Keg. Made of all stainless steel, they are great for any sanitary liquid storage and dispensing needs. However, Nitrogen is also used in many commercial beers. Unlike beer stored in bottles, kegged beer undergoes a process of forced carbonation which basically means the keg is pressurized with gas (Carbon dioxide) and it is this pressure which keeps the beer from going flat. Better to lose a pint in the fermenter than have sediment in your keg later. So, if the largest kegs can hold up to 100 pints of beer, you’d need to be pretty dedicated in order to finish an entire keg on your own in a few days. As any homebrewer will tell you, the sanitation of beer equipment is essential. Use an adjustable wrench to do this properly. Product Dimensions These kegs have 2 separate posts on them where you attach the beer and gas lines to. Next, you want to remove the lid by the handle provided. Another essential piece of kit is a decent beer tap. Standard ball lock kegs measure 25″ tall x 8.5″ diameter, while standard pin lock kegs measure 23″ tall x 9″ diameter. Then open each valve to check for any bubbles on these connections (meaning a gas leak). This is what I was most familiar with as a barman, but it is slowly being taken on by many home brewers. In all honesty, if you buy a new keg from a reputable store you are unlikely to have many maintenance issues with it even after extended use. Make sure that you monitor the gas pressure system you use. Keg Thread Sizes. How Many Beers Does a Homebrew Keg Hold? If the beer is flat, you just need to force carbonate the beer again for another day or so. How Long Does It Take To Brew Beer & How To Do It Faster? Think Guinness or John Smith’s Extra Smooth. Stainless Steel & American Made! So, how long will that beer stay nice and fresh if you are only enjoying it in moderation? This type of keg is also about 3 inches shorter than a ball lock type and about one inch smaller in diameter. This is a wrench for removing and tightening the posts on a pin-lock ('corny' or cornelius style) 5 gallon keg. Place the lid on the keg and secure it. Cornelius R (pin lock): Gas 19/32” – 18 (2 pin) Liquid 19/32” – 18 (3 pin) New 1.75 gallon ball lock kegs are for sale online at Adventures in Homebrewing. Carbon Dioxide is used in most lagers and ciders, Stella Artois for example. Changing ‘a barrel’ or keg is both fun and challenging and it really looks impressive to family and guests. Cornelius R (pin lock): Gas 19/32” – 18 (2 pin) Liquid 19/32” – 18 (3 pin) Firestone V Challenger, Firestone VI Challenger, Firestone Super Challenger: Gas 9/16” – 18 Liquid 5/8” – 18 Check out the Menu to find out more! Cornelius kegs are produced in several capacities. 5 gallons of beer = 640 ounces. Both types of Corny kegs were originally used in the soft drink industry and ball lock kegs were most associated with the Pepsi company. But, moving a keg full of beer can really affect its quality. This honestly quite a skill, especially when changing barrels quickly in a dark pub basement, but is really fun to do! I found my two Corny kegs for about $35 a piece on Facebook Marketplace, but they happened to be pin lock kegs. If you are renting kegs from a supplier, they will normally handle the maintenance of their own kegs. Pin lock kegs were most associated with the Coca-cola brand and used a pin lock system for their coupling connections. These posts come in 2 different styles; Ball Lock Posts and Pin Lock Posts. Troubleshooting Your Kegerator: Problems & Solutions, 18 Frequently Asked Questions About Kegerators, https://www.kegerator.com/kegerator-kegs/, https://www.kegerator.com/commercial-kegerators/, Beers from Around the World: Imported Beers Worth Trying, Your 2020 Gift Guide for the Avid Homebrewer, Polaris: Germany’s High Alpha Special Flavor Hop. But, as I said if this is a big party and you aren’t planning to have any beer the next day, a manual pump is just great. The ball lock and pin lock aren’t that too dissimilar but still have some differences that you should be aware of. If you are lucky enough to have another keg which has already been force carbonated (always the case when buying a keg from a beer store) you can simply disconnect your empty keg and reattach the new one, making sure that you turn off the CO2 while swapping them over. When you want to actually get at the beer, you need to ‘tap it’ which means attaching one of two systems to the self-sealing valve so that you can easy serve the beer hidden inside. It’s an essential piece of kit as it will allow you to see how much pressure is in your keg and enable you to raise that pressure (lowering it is achieved with a relief valve on the keg itself). There are a few things to bear in mind before you do that. I've had the great fortune of tasting and now trying to brew some of the best beer recipes from around the world. If the threading is the same, the answer is yes, on certain sizes they can be interchanged. In this time the beer should remain carbonated and perfectly ready to be drunk at any time. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'beercreation_com-box-4','ezslot_3',144,'0','0']));I have spent several days researching everything there is to know about beer kegs. Dimensions: Inner Diameter: 1/2in (12.7mm) Outer Diameter: 21/32in (16.7mm) Thickness: 3/32in (2.4mm) Product information Package Quantity:10. Ball lock posts are on old Pepsi Co. kegs, while pin lock posts are on on Coca-Cola brand kegs. In my book, that’s a solid upgrade. A beer keg, although traditionally made of wood, is now generally made of stainless steel and used for storing beer. Pin locks are the alternative to the more-common ball lock kegs, and they have some unique features and benefits of their own. This will allow any CO2 in the keg to safely exit it so that you won’t injure yourself when removing other parts of the keg. So, why wouldn’t you want to store your beer (especially homemade beer) in a keg? This means that you can easily use the same CO2 tank for 15-22 five-gallon kegs. Although not a must for all beer types, chilling your keg and thus your beer is an advantage for most tasting sessions. Can you fit more kegs in your kegerator or keezer if they are short and wide or if they are tall and skinny? If you are buying a keg for a big party and plan to drink that thing dry in one night, then there is nothing wrong with using a manual pump. Drive like an old lady so that you don’t slosh that amber nectar around too much. Before removing the keg from the gas it is recommended that you increase the pressure inside to about 30 PSI then turn off your CO2 supply. I love making it, drinking it and best all, learning about it! Without this, all your efforts would be in vain because you wouldn’t be able to easily pour your beer from the keg. The will not fit Cornelius or AEB Brand kegs. That means you can, generally speaking, put a pepsi/ball lock style (manual prv) lid on a coke/pin lock style (no manual prv) keg. Ball locks are tall and skinny so that sometimes helps squeeze in an extra keg to the same size keezer. For dispensing the beer, shut off the regulator and release pressure in the keg’s headspace with the lid relief valve. For most home brewers, the answer is going to be no as you won’t have the necessary documents and will be sending it to friends or family. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'beercreation_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',149,'0','0']));Remove the stopper and airlock from your fermenter. Be sure to re-sanitize the keg before further use. Out of all the factors that go into making a good homebrew, sanitation is the most important—infection will ruin a batch of otherwise well-made beer. Over the next few hours monitor the pressure and use the lid relief valve to remove CO2 from the headspace until you reach a PSI level of about 10. There is nothing quite like having your own bar at home where you can entertain friends and family. This includes a standard 5-gallon keg, a CO2 gas system and all the accessories needed for carbonating the beer and dispensing it. Another type of keg is known as a growler and is a small transportation keg. For your own kegs, ensure that you thoroughly clean your kegs after you have emptied them of your favorite beers. The last real noticeable difference in these kegs are the dimensions of them. However, if you force carbonate your kegs using the same CO2 cylinder then you will have to replace it every 10-15 kegs. At some time in all our lives, we are going to have to leave the man cave (or woman cave) and transport a keg of beer. The dimensions are slightly different for ball lock kegs versus pin lock kegs. Alternatively, you can invest in a fixed beer tap on your countertop or on the wall of your garage or basement. A bacterial infection, even at this late stage, could really make your beer taste terrible. So be diligent in this next stage. BeerCreation.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Fits both gas and liquid keg posts with 5/8in (1.6cm) keg post diameter. If you are changing from one beer to another type of beer, it would be a good idea to actually sanitize your beer pipes so as not to introduce other flavors into the new beer. Use a new 1.75 gal Corny keg with your ball lock kegging setup. For a regular 5 pound cylinder of liquid CO2 gas, you will be able to use it for at least 6 months of normal dispensing usage. It’s not used to store beer for any length of time but is excellent for carrying beer from a favorite brewery back to your home or out for a beer tasting event. You will need to determine the size of your post threads before you buy the replacements. O-Ring for all standard pin lock keg posts. remember that a larger gauge siphon hose will transfer beer more quickly than a narrower hose. Fits Firestone pin lock kegs and most other brands. Making sure that all your equipment is compatible with each other is essential, so always deal with reputable suppliers with industry standard products. Both these Corny keg types have separate connection points for the CO2 and liquid but it seems easier to confuse them with each other with the latter design. You want to adjust your carbonating pressure by turning the set screw on the CO2 regulator. The temperature your CO2 tank is stored at will also affect how long it lasts. Most homebrew beer isn’t pasteurized due to the process of making it, so it needs to be stored at least 38°F to avoid bacteria forming in it. ; Keg Repair Parts Replacement keg lids, handle caps, pressure relief valves, o-rings and washers. She wanted to buy a gift for her boyfriend and knew that he liked beer (see my gift suggestions here). A CO2 regulator fits onto your CO2 cylinder and allows you to regulate how much gas is released when the system is operating. Your equipment is essential much as the cost of a used keg and pressurizing it to! The siphon hose into the keg to the more-common ball lock design out of preference for features. It Faster ) your beer taste terrible many years and a former barman, I can say... Keg thread sizes keg in order to test your CO2 cylinder and allows you to regulate how gas! And thus your beer for a few pumps to get the beer is then! A gas leak ) t maintaining PSI level needed impressive to family and guests in your kegerator or place siphon... 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