2.5 or 3.0 gal corny keg?

[jpr.edison]

Relatively new to brewing. I have a keezer and 6 5.0 gal corny kegs. I'd like the option of splitting a 5 gal extract kit into 2 smaller (2.5 gal) batches. What are your thoughts? Should I get 2 2.5 gal corny kegs or 2 3.0 gal kegs? I'd like to have them available for backyard BBQs and would serve them from a cooler or icebucket. When storing the non-empty kegs, I would stack them in my keezer.

I guess it boils down to: is a 2.g gal keg's capacity EXACTLY 2.5 gal? or is there headroom (similar to the 5 gal kegs). Same question for the 3 gal keg. If the capacities are exactly 2.5 and 3 gal, I think I will opt for the 3.0 gal keg, if there is ample headroom, I will go for the 2.5 gal kegs. UNLESS someone can persuade me not to.

Thanks

Jim

 

[Thorrak]

Do you have links?

 

[govner1]

I brew six gallon batches & split into 2 , 3 g batches for fermentation and kegging. This allows me to use different yeasts or dry hops.
Consequently, I use 3 g kegs and there is some head space. Both the 2.5 & 3 gallon kegs are more expensive unless you can find a deal on used.
I try to stick with the Italian made but have a few used American made.
Avoid the Chinese made!

 

[WBB]

Why are you splitting 5g extract kits into smaller volumes? Are you dry hopping one and not the other? Are you experimenting between the two? If not, there’s not reason why you shouldn’t just use your 5g corny kegs.

 

[bkboiler]

Does the 2.5 gal fit on the keezer hump and the 3.0gal does not?
Hoping for an easy decision for you...

 

[jpr.edison]

Why are you splitting 5g extract kits into smaller volumes? Are you dry hopping one and not the other? Are you experimenting between the two? If not, there’s not reason why you shouldn’t just use your 5g corny kegs.

I'd like to split for a couple of reasons 1 to throw the smaller keg in a icetub for serving at backyard BBQs
2 to experiment between the two 2.5 gal batches
3 it opens up the possibility to brew smaller (stovetop) batches during the winter months.

 

[jpr.edison]

Does the 2.5 gal fit on the keezer hump and the 3.0gal does not?
Hoping for an easy decision for you...

Either one will fit. My Collar is large enough to fit a five gal corny

 

[Alex4mula]

In that case I would go with the 3 gal ones. 8 more pints are always better at the BBQ party ;-)

 

[jpr.edison]

There wouldn't be 8 more pints as I would be splitting a 5 gal batch into 2 2.5 gal batches.

As I mentioned earlier, if the is some headroom after pouring 2.5 gal into a 2.5 gal corny, I think that the solution for me is to get 2 2.5 gal cornys. If someone knows first hand that 2.5 gals of liquid would go right to the lid then I would buy 2 3 gal cornys

 

[Alex4mula]

There wouldn't be 8 more pints as I would be splitting a 5 gal batch into 2 2.5 gal batches.

As I mentioned earlier, if the is some headroom after pouring 2.5 gal into a 2.5 gal corny, I think that the solution for me is to get 2 2.5 gal cornys. If someone knows first hand that 2.5 gals of liquid would go right to the lid then I would buy 2 3 gal cornys

There is always some more room at the top of corny kegs. The spec is not to the top ring of lid. I have 1.75g, 3g & 5g. Usually I have a little over 5gal on my fermetner and I can always fit it in the 5gal one.

 

[9Kegs]

My 3 gallon kegs hold 3.25 gallons with just enough headspace to force carbonate.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I have a pair of the Torpedo small kegs. They are actually 10L which is just over 2.6 gals (and I think there is a little headspace above that). I love everything about them except the price. They are a perfect size for splitting a 5 gal batch. I ferment in a pair of 3 gal Fermonsters. The kegs stack nicely, so now I can have 4 beers in my beer fridge (vs 3 5-gal kegs).

 

[jpr.edison]

An update...I received 2 - 2.5 gallon corny kegs as a christmas present. I can stack them in my keezer. As of now, my keezer is setup with 3 taps, I will be adding a 4th tap shortly.