Are Pubkegs on Their Way Out?

[akillys]

I'm looking into getting into kegging and I was thinking about using the plastic pub kegs as it is what my LHBS caries. However, I can not find any sources for them online. Were these recalled or something. When I do a google search for shopping, only one source comes up. I understand that I should support my LHBS and I probably will, but if these are not being used anymore because they are dangerous or poor quality I would rather not spend my money on it.

 

[reefriot]

Ive heard there dangerous but never used them. Our local CL ads have them for 35.00 with replacement bladders all the time

 

[kenny_d]

Link?

 

[akillys]

http://www.google.com/search?q=5+gallon+plastic+pub+keg&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=shop


http://www.google.com/search?q=pub+keg&tbm=shop&prmd=ivns&ei=KI79Uo6EM8aayQGT94CACg&start=0&sa=N


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[tmendick]

The "dangerous" plastic ones are because a commercial brewer let the keg psi get up to 100+psi where the max psi is 60.
That being said i think he is talking about these ones

 

[akillys]

The "dangerous" plastic ones are because a commercial brewer let the keg psi get up to 100+psi where the max psi is 60.
That being said i think he is talking about these ones

Yep rise are the ones. I have read the forums on here but haven't came across a lot of places to buy from. What I mean by that is when I go to northern brewer more beer and a lot of the other site that use to carry then according to previous post, none of those sites carry then anymore and I was curious why. Is it because people are under the misconception they are unsafe or they just went selling because they are off low quality? They seem right up my ally as they seem cheaper than cornies and are easier to clean.

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[Jim_Holmes]

i dont know exactly but if i had to guess at one reason it would be that they are plastic and listed at $45.00. and you used to be able to get cornies that are stainless for pretty cheap so they probably wernt seelling many plastic ones. you can still get loose lid pin locks for $25.00 and then buy a kit to make them ball lock.

 

[tmendick]

I've not actually used them, but I've seen them in person and they seem like they wouldn't be that easy to clean.
The two reasons I don't own them are
1. They are about the same size as a 1/4 barrel keg so they take up considerably more room in the fridge
2. The plastic inserts seem really thin and easily breakable.


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[pricedawg]

You buy the bladders each time at $8 per. You can buy the kegs direct from the producer for about $24 per. Local brewery in Georgia called Burnt Hickory was using them and I have seen them at the brewery at Terrapin, but not in production. If you have to buy the bladder each time I would say no way

 

[loucurr]

These were designed and produced for commercial breweries and not intended/marketed for homebrewing. If your LHBS keeps a supply of the bladders then you are in luck. They are designed to replace the bladder each time with no need to clean. The bladders are supposed to be sanitized, sealed and ready to fill. The bladders however are not much different than the bottles used for the tap-a-draft system and could be cleaned and re-used.


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[akillys]

I would have to reuse because my lhbs sells them together for 50 dollars I might take Jim_Holmes's advice and go with the loose pin locks for 25 and get the ball lock converter. After all, I would have to get a ball lock converter for the sanke fitting anyway.

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[IvanBrew]

I decided to go with Pub Kegs late last year. I've got mixed feelings on them now.

I'd hoped to get 8-10 batches out of each one before replacing the bladders, but I don't think that's likely if I keep opening them to clean. The concern over the flimsiness of the bladders is legit. They're fine when pressurized, but not so much when they're vented and you're trying to take the top off.

I'm hoping now I can rig a pump and pull the check valves out of a coupler to clean without opening them. If that works, I'll still be happy.

I really only wanted these as a pitstop on the way to converting to sanke altogether. I just didn't want to spend the cash on the 6th barrels and the build for a washer last year.

Overall, I do like these kegs. I would recommend them, but I'd caution on the cleaning.

BTW: Wine Barrel Plus in Livonia, MI (Detroit suburb) carries these. He's probably got 30+ on-hand. I have no affiliation, but they're one of the LHBS I give business to.

 

[jappler]

I just kegged my first batch in one over the weekend, and I was hoping I'd get something like 10 batches out of one. I was even about to order a second PubKeg, but after hearing your review I may just hold off.

Been doing a lot of research on opening sanke kegs and cleaning, gauging how difficult it is. I'd like to avoid hacking apart my kegerator to put ball lock connections on.

 

[IvanBrew]

In PubKeg's defense, the company never intended them to be used the way we're trying to, and actually has comments in their FAQ discouraging home brewer use...

I do think, though, that they'll work just fine, as long as I treat them with kid gloves and/or come up with a cleaning regimen that doesn't involve opening them up.

I like the ability to serve out of a keg with a sanke connector. I've got a couple friends with kegerators, and it makes things a lot simpler. They were also a cheaper option for me than buying more ball lock kegs.

 

[jappler]

Seems they werent really cut out for commercial use either. I'm hoping this proves to be a better setup, still waiting to be able to place an order...

http://www.evcontainer.com/home-brewers/

Otherwise I'll be looking in to a SS keg setup and a way to clean as well.

 

[IvanBrew]

Seems they werent really cut out for commercial use either. I'm hoping this proves to be a better setup, still waiting to be able to place an order...

http://www.evcontainer.com/home-brewers/

Otherwise I'll be looking in to a SS keg setup and a way to clean as well.

That certainly looks promising. Any indication on pricing?

 

[jappler]

That certainly looks promising. Any indication on pricing?

I got a response a few weeks ago, saying introductory pricing would be $79 for the keg and replacement liners being $3.95. A special they're gonna run until end of June when the Home Brewers Conference is over.

Emailed them this morning to see when they'd be taking orders and they said hopefully in the next couple of weeks. Which means my IPA may have to spend a week or two in a carboy.

 

[IvanBrew]

I got a response a few weeks ago, saying introductory pricing would be $79 for the keg and replacement liners being $3.95. A special they're gonna run until end of June when the Home Brewers Conference is over.

Emailed them this morning to see when they'd be taking orders and they said hopefully in the next couple of weeks. Which means my IPA may have to spend a week or two in a carboy.

That's a bit steeper than I'd hoped, but probably not out of line...

I wonder if they'll be widely distributed, or suffer the same shipping cost issues that PubKegs do.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

So........What's gonna' be the difference, between the "Pubkegs", and the one from "EV Container"?

Looks as if the latter would have the same durability / clean-ability issues as the former, due to the bladder / plastic bag liner issue........

What am I missing?............Is it just that the latter has an easily replaced liner?...........Replacement liners will be in the neighborhood of 4 bucks a pop it looks like.........And if you wish to run some cleaner through your couplings, lines and the like, would you do it through the old liner, ( I'm guessing, babbling out loud here...!) , or do it with a new one and rinse the hell out of it?

Guessing again, that we should not assume the liners are sanitary when you replace them?

I'll be watchin'!

 

[trboyden]

Seems they werent really cut out for commercial use either. I'm hoping this proves to be a better setup, still waiting to be able to place an order...

http://www.evcontainer.com/home-brewers/

Otherwise I'll be looking in to a SS keg setup and a way to clean as well.

Bookmarked. I tried the Pubkeg once but was never able to get it to seal after opening it the first time. You guys that use them, what's the trick? That said, the EV Container option is pretty interesting. Creating a waste stream for the disposable bag isn't so good, but I guess the ecological trade off is the water savings.