Are these kegs any good

[ThomasPaine]

A friend of mine has these kegs. He said that I can have two of them if I do the work of getting them back in working order. He swears that he has the missing lid for that one. Would this be worth it? Are the gaskets all that should need replacing assuming there are no major broken pieces?

 

[chickypad]

For free? Hell yes, it's worth it! Just give them a good PBW wash, and you probably want to replace all the O rings and check the poppits. Note that the bottom one there has pin lock posts, you probably want one or the other (or to match whatever existing system you have).

 

[W0GWT]

I'd take them.

Clean them up; replacement parts can be ordered online fairly cheaply.

Score.

 

[OleBrewing]

If they are free and you want to spend the time it might be worth it. I've rescued 5 from a recycling yard.
The one with missing lid looks like the hole is more round than oval, if he doesn't hav the lid might be tough to find a replacement.
The one with 3 posts seems strange and the handle has screws through the top.
The bottom ball lock and pin lock might be the 2 I would choose if it were me.

 

[Snicklefritz]

Hell yeah, those will clean up just fine.

 

[ThomasPaine]

Thanks for the encouragement. I have never keged but would love to get into it. Hopefully this is the first step. I will buy the o-rings and make sure the poppets work. I guess I will look into changing that one from pin lock to ball. I think the hole may be distorted and is the same as the others. I will check to see if those screws go all the way into the keg too.

 

[Auger]

That is exactly how I got into kegging...I was bottling and a friend called me and said "hey, my mom found a co2 tank, regulator and some gross kegs in the attic, you want them?" They were in that condition or worse, but they cleaned up just fine. I would replace the poppets as a matter of course, they are cheap, and its frustrating to find a slow leak that drains half your co2 tank that you didn't notice because it was so small

 

[ThomasPaine]

Thats great, I think this will help justify buying a basic setup from my LHBS. I will take your advice and buy the poppets as well. What about the pressure relief?

 

[Auger]

Not sure about those as mine don't have them. If there is a replaceable seal in them, might as well do that one too.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

No, the screws don't go all the way into the keg, they should be threaded into a threaded "boss" which is probably spot welded to the keg.

Take a whiff inside, of the 2 that you choose, and make sure you smell no solvents or insecticides.
I personally think, that with proper cleaning procedures, that any of these last two residues mentioned can be removed, though others will think differently, and it will cast doubt in the minds of some of your fellow drinkers, should they be aware of it.