Ball or Pin Corney? need a bit of a quick response

[starrfish]

OK here's the dilema ... I'm going camping for a long weekend in a few weeks. toting bottles is a real PIMA. Was thinking about going to kegs for just this reason. Will still bottle most but having a keg or 2 around will make fast work for bbqs, camping, and parties... which do you guys prefer ball or pin lock?

This will effect all future keg purchases... another factor is I'm still looking for mini fridge to make kegerator. This project is definitely on deck. Are either better for a mini-fridge set up. anything else I'll need to keg up a batch quick? quick disconnects?

Found a good deal on a used set-up, but will need to move on it today.

It's a pin lock keg, Double Gauge CO2 Regulator, 5lb C02 tank, gas & beer lines, picnic tap, referb'd O-rings, and an extra set of rings for $160 cash. Good Deal? seemed about $10 cheaper than any other option I found.
anything else I'll need to keg up a batch quick? quick disconnects?

Any advice on for force carbing a cream ale for the trip?
Thanks in advance for the fast help.

 

[Airborneguy]

There really is no answer to this, it's a personal preference. Most of the time, you will hear "go with what you find a deal on", which is exactly what I did. I got 4 pin-locks for $60, so I stuck with them. Sounds like you found a pin-lock deal, so I would say go for it.

 

[IrregularPulse]

I don't think $160 is any outstanding deal for that. Not bad price, but probably nothing you couldn't find again if you preferred ball locks.

Typical used keg cost $30
Brand new 5lb CO2 tank $100
Picnick tap $3
Lines maybe $20
Regulator $75

That's all brand new stuff besides the keg.

 

[knightbeer39]

As said, it's personal preference. I went with ball lock (pepsi) purely for the reason that they are taller and thinner, than the shorter squatter pin locks (coke). This makes it just a bit easier for me to set in and out of my keezer. It also takes just a bit less horizontal space since the ball locks are smaller diameter, so I can fit one extra keg in there. You do have the option of switching out the fittings.

that's my two cents.....

 

[starrfish]

I don't think $160 is any outstanding deal for that. Not bad price, but probably nothing you couldn't find again if you preferred ball locks.

Typical used keg cost $30
Brand new 5lb CO2 tank $100
Picnick tap $3
Lines maybe $20
Regulator $75

That's all brand new stuff besides the keg.

$160 vs $228? (from prices listed above) seems pretty good... about $10 cheaper than I've found elsewhere, not a huge savings but seems ok. Keg is used but recently refurb'd and has extra new O-rings. Co2 tank is almost new, been filled twice (empty now). lines are almost new replaced last year had 2 5gal batches run through it

any advice on force carbing what about Pin Lock Quick Disconnects, are they worth it? this keg will travel/ be used at bbqs and picnics and won't be hooked up once and done....

 

[starrfish]

As said, it's personal preference. I went with ball lock (pepsi) purely for the reason that they are taller and thinner, than the shorter squatter pin locks (coke). This makes it just a bit easier for me to set in and out of my keezer. It also takes just a bit less horizontal space since the ball locks are smaller diameter, so I can fit one extra keg in there. You do have the option of switching out the fittings.

that's my two cents.....

So the fittings are switchable? I've heard they were from one source, and they weren't from another... easy swap?

 

[floyd242]

My mini fridge will only fit 2 ball locks, 1 ball lock and 1 pin lock will not fit because the pin lock is too fat. Just an FYI...

 

[mosquitocontrol]

I think you are being misled by others. If your plan is to make a mini-fridge kegerator 99.99% of the time pin-locks (or even converted pin-locks) WILL NOT FIT. Pin locks are slightly larger in diameter I think 1/2". It doesn't sound like much of a difference but almost all mini-fridges barely fit 2 ball locks side by side. I know I need to force mine to fit and they are snug to the sides. So if you are going the mini fridge route ball-locks are the only choice.

 

[starrfish]

Yeah, I'm going mini fridge soon after I get into kegging. I'd like to have 2 on tap in the mini fridge.... one just won't do if i do go to kegs...

 

[weirdboy]

I just want to say that a brand new CO2 tank SOUNDS like a good deal but most of the time you are just exchanging that tank the first time you get it filled, so it's a moot point. It could be from 1970 and still have the same value to you as a homebrewer.

 

[Airborneguy]

I think you are being misled by others.

Darn, foiled again. I commented on this thread with the intention of screwing this guy into wasting his money. Fooey.

 

[knightbeer39]

So the fittings are switchable? I've heard they were from one source, and they weren't from another... easy swap?

You need an adapter and need to know if it is a firestone or Cornelius. You can order the adapter from Foxx Equipuipment sales.

Save yourself the hassle; go with the ball lock IMHO.

 

[starrfish]

Darn, foiled again. I commented on this thread with the intention of screwing this guy into wasting his money. Fooey.

LMAO! too funny!

 

[funkswing]

I second the "go with the deal" theory. Ball locks do have slightly smaller diameter, which is a bonus once you get to having a keezer with 4+ kegs, if that's your route. If you just want a couple of kegs to take camping and picnics, then get whatever your wallet desires. They both do the same thing, and a lot of ppl have both pin-locks and ball-locks.

cornykeg.com has good pinlock deals. It seems to me that ball-locks are generally more expensive b/c of the higher demand.

And yes, you do need the gas and liquid quick-disconnects. There are what you attach the gas and beer lines to. Then the disconnects attach to the keg itself. Get some keg lube too!!!

P.s. - I grew up in Atlanta, home of Coca-Cola, so know that I may be biased towards pin-locks. Pepsi can suck it.

 

[phatuna]

any advice on force carbing ..

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/keg-force-carbing-methods-illustrated-73328/

 

[akthor]

Don't forget the most important reason to go ball locks. The pressure relief valve.

 

[funkswing]

Pressure relief valve is over-rated. I mean, you can just de-press the pin on the gas in post to release the pressure. You usually have the gas quick disconnect off the keg anyways when you are releasing the pressure. And they are "quick disconnects", so its easy to take them off and put them back on.......

And I have some pin-locks that have pressure relief valves, just depends.

Corny kegs are like women: there are the taller, skinnier ones, and the shorter, more robust ones. They both can do the same thing and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[steinsato]

I prefer Ball lock only because they are thinner. I can get 3 ball locks in my kegerator but only 2 pin locks.

 

[user 40839]

Another vote for ball lock. The pressure relief valve REALLY is key. There's a reason good deals are there to be had on pin lock kegs, they're nowhere near as in demand as the ball locks.

And as to those prices posted earlier in the thread for assembling your own ball lock setup for $160, it can be done easily. Those prices quoted were new, you can do far better than that. For example, Keg Connection has a kit that has your tank, regulator, one keg, all your fittings with a picnic tap for $144.95. And remember that's brand new too. Also comes with a bottle of starsan, replacement o-rings, cleaner, and a bottle opener.

If you wanna go used, I scored an excellent regulator on ebay recently for $35 shipped, I found a 20# CO2 tank on Craigslist for $30 (and when it was exchanged I got a nearly new aluminium tank back - hell yeah!) Deals are out there to be had...

 

[akthor]

Tell that to the folks who have beer shooting out when they do that

Pressure relief valve is over-rated. I mean, you can just de-press the pin on the gas in post to release the pressure. You usually have the gas quick disconnect off the keg anyways when you are releasing the pressure. And they are "quick disconnects", so its easy to take them off and put them back on.......

And I have some pin-locks that have pressure relief valves, just depends.

Corny kegs are like women: there are the taller, skinnier ones, and the shorter, more robust ones. They both can do the same thing and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[brewingkitty]

personally, i prefer all my balls to those "pins".

 

[funkswing]

personally, i prefer balls to pins.

Meeeeeeoooow brewingkitty!

Akthor - what are you talking about? I have never had beer come out the gas in post.

The 'ol pin v ball lock race is off!!! Really, ball locks are the more desired kegs (as you can see by the show of ball-lock fanboys!). But that doesn't make pin locks not worth it if you can get them cheaper AND you are using them for camping/picnics like the OP is planning on doing.

 

[akthor]

Because if the beer is touching the gas in tube on a really full keg the beer will shoot out when you depress the poppit. I'm not making it up, it happens.

 

[SweetSounds]

I don't think $160 is any outstanding deal for that. Not bad price, but probably nothing you couldn't find again if you preferred ball locks.

Typical used keg cost $30
Brand new 5lb CO2 tank $100
Picnick tap $3
Lines maybe $20
Regulator $75

That's all brand new stuff besides the keg.

You can get a brand new 5# CO2 tank here for $60.00
And CHI Company has used single body regs for $25.

That's about $140 + shipping for new stuff (Except the reg)

Also, you can go to your gas supplier and lease a tank - Yearly lease charge and the occasional refill typically take about 3 years to break even from purchasing your own.
That would give you time to find one on CL for cheap

 

[akthor]

My gas suppliers wanted a deposit that was equal to the cost of a new tank to be able to lease them.

 

[starrfish]

Well I bit the bullet, ditched original plan, and got this:
http://www.learntobrew.com/store/item/2ver1/-_HB_Picnic/One_Tap_Picnic_Homebrew_Kegerator.html

I went with a ball lock. Not a bad price for that set up, I think. Shipping wasn't a killer either, 7.99 flat rate and should have by next weds... so I'll be kegging my batch for the campout next thurs!. (which leaves me with 8 days to force carb)

Now I just need more kegs, a mini fridge, and a few other items! Looks like I'll be kegging every 4th batch which usually are my session beers anyway.

Thanks for the great QUICK responses guys~ made my decision easier! Beers are on me tonight!

May have some kegging questions down the road next week.

 

[akthor]

That's a good deal. All I can say about kegs is keep an I out I bought my first two at the LHBS for $50 a piece then I haunted ebay, CL and the classifieds here. Finally scored a deal for 6 ball locks for $150 shipped.

 

[rmolledo]

pin locks are easier to distinguish liquid side from gas side.

 

[ArcaneXor]

pin locks are easier to distinguish liquid side from gas side.

Ball lock kegs should have notches on the gas-post, markings on the rubber handle and slightly different sizes for gas and liquid posts, making it difficult to hook the gas up to the wrong side. Of course if you force it, it can be difficult to remove the QD, a problem you won't have with pin locks.

 

[akthor]

Mine say IN and OUT on the rubber by each post. If they don't I suppose it'd be pretty easy to mark them yourself