Sanke Kegs

[cilestiok]

Does anyone prefer them over cornys?

I'd like to use my corny kegs for fermenting and switch to kegging in sixth barrels so that I don't have to use corny fittings in my meister anymore. I often buy sixth barrels of some commercial brews that I enjoy, as well as light beers for guests during family parties, so I like the idea of interchangeability.

I carbonate with a stone and money is not an issue.

Please inform me of the ups and downs of using standard sixth barrels over soda kegs.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I do, but only because of the 15.5G size is great for parties.. The main drawback is that weird retaining ring. I was surprised how easy I was able to remove and reinstall it the first time, but then it took me over an hour to reinstall the ring the second time around (fortunately it was a practice round before I had any beer in there to oxidize). At some point I rotated the spear 180 degrees and then I was able to get the ring back in place and pressurized. The other drawback would be that you can't reach inside to scrub it out like you can with a corny, but I found a nice hot oxy/tsp shake and soak was able to clean better than a hand scrubbing anyways. I have a ball lock adapter on the gas line of my sankey tap and use a nickel with teflon tape to shut down the liquid out when force carbing. I use the standard liquid out barb when it is serving time.
I've been toying with the idea of fermenting in my sankey or at least using it as a secondary for brightening my beer. Transfer 5G corny for serving and replace with krausening beer from a fermentor to carbonate with a spunding valve. But, right now I need to figure out a new fermentation chamber since my kegerator bit it.

 

[cilestiok]

I do, but only because of the 15.5G size is great for parties.. The main drawback is that weird retaining ring. I was surprised how easy I was able to remove and reinstall it the first time, but then it took me over an hour to reinstall the ring the second time around (fortunately it was a practice round before I had any beer in there to oxidize). At some point I rotated the spear 180 degrees and then I was able to get the ring back in place and pressurized. The other drawback would be that you can't reach inside to scrub it out like you can with a corny, but I found a nice hot oxy/tsp shake and soak was able to clean better than a hand scrubbing anyways. I have a ball lock adapter on the gas line of my sankey tap and use a nickel with teflon tape to shut down the liquid out when force carbing. I use the standard liquid out barb when it is serving time.

I've been toying with the idea of fermenting in my sankey or at least using it as a secondary for brightening my beer. Transfer 5G corny for serving and replace with krausening beer from a fermentor to carbonate with a spunding valve. But, right now I need to figure out a new fermentation chamber since my kegerator bit it.

So other than the spear retainer, no other issues? Force carbing through the spear isn't an issue for me because I would use my carbonation stone attached to a triclover.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I haven't tried to get the hop sacks back out yet.. Hopefully it'll be easier than getting them out of a carboy (I just dump pellets in the carboy now)

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

I use sanke kegs.The ring is easy to get on and off.All you need is a flathead screwdriver and pliers.I like the fact that I can buy commercial kegs without worrying about the coupler.No gaskets or O rings to worry about leaking either

 

[cilestiok]

I use sanke kegs.The ring is easy to get on and off.All you need is a flathead screwdriver and pliers.I like the fact that I can buy commercial kegs without worrying about the coupler.No gaskets or O rings to worry about leaking either

I also used a screwdriver and pliers to take off the retainer. It took me about 3-5 minutes each time. Is that the best way? Is that how long it takes you? I'm probably doing it wrong. Haha.

 

[dunbruha]

Does anyone prefer them over cornys?

I'd like to use my corny kegs for fermenting and switch to kegging in sixth barrels so that I don't have to use corny fittings in my meister anymore. I often buy sixth barrels of some commercial brews that I enjoy, as well as light beers for guests during family parties, so I like the idea of interchangeability.

I carbonate with a stone and money is not an issue.

Please inform me of the ups and downs of using standard sixth barrels over soda kegs.

I do. I used cornys for a long time, but now I have all sixtels, and I like the simplicity. The dry-hopping is a little challenging to get the bag in and out (and be SURE to use a bag!), but they are super-easy to keep clean, and you can tap a commercial keg if you want to. Carbing through the spear works fine.

It took me a little while to get the hang of removing and installing the ring, but now I can do it in 30 seconds.

One possible downside is getting replacement gaskets for the spear--I haven't found anyone that sells them.

 

[cilestiok]

I have a production brewery in town I'm sure I could ask for replacement gaskets if i needed them. Glad to know the ring gets easier to remove with time. I think I just need thinner needlenose to grab them easier. That's my main issue is getting the initial grip on it.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

I also used a screwdriver and pliers to take off the retainer. It took me about 3-5 minutes each time. Is that the best way? Is that how long it takes you? I'm probably doing it wrong. Haha.

Popping the ring off takes about a second.Stick the screwdriver in the slot and pry it out.Cant get much simpler.Putting it back on is a little more work.I flex open the ring and pop in as much as I can by hand,going around in a circle. then finish off by prying the ring on with pliers.Only takes a minute.

 

[dunbruha]

I have a production brewery in town I'm sure I could ask for replacement gaskets if i needed them. Glad to know the ring gets easier to remove with time. I think I just need thinner needlenose to grab them easier. That's my main issue is getting the initial grip on it.

If you can't pop the ring using a small screwdriver in the slot, use a right-angle pick to get it started http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-pick-and-hook-set-66836.html