Ball vs Pin

[TastyAdventure]

I got Xmas money to buy a keg system, and I really wanted to do ball lock, but the only used kegs the LHBS has is Pin lock. Craigslist and my local HB group doesn't have any kegs available.
Should I go ahead and get pin lock? Is there any true disadvantage? Or should I wait a bit longer and hope a ball lock shows up? Money is def an issue, gotta be used.

 

[Hamaki]

I chose pin lock because there is no way to connect gas & beer lines wrong; I've heard it's possible (maybe not easy) to do so on ball lock. The fact that they are harder for me to find in my area works against me. Dimensions (width & height) might be critical in certain keezers so keep that in mind.

 

[ghohn]

I own both in my two different setups. I prefer pin locks because it's impossible to switch the connectors. Also, these days, it seems ball locks are always more expensive.

 

[eujamfh]

I recommend ball lock-they are more expensive but moving forward that seems to be the style that new keg makers are making. Pin lock are also wider and for me that would mean one less keg in my keezer set up.

Both will work but if you are in it for the long haul, I would recommend ball lock. They are also easier to sell in the event you need to cash out your gear.

 

[solbes]

Besides cost, the only real consideration in my mind is dimensions. If your fridge can handle the wider diameter of pin locks and you can get as many kegs in your fridge as you want...go pin lock. They are cheaper as well.

My fridge is limited in footprint dimensions, not height, so ball locks for me. I can read, so I don't have issues with screwing up the connections (they are clearly marked). So thats not a big deal to me. Two pennies.

 

[physics911]

If you are considering costs, go with pin lock.
The only drawback I see is lack of manual pressure relief valve in lid, however, it takes me about 3 seconds to pop off the gas in quick disconnect and press the popup with a screwdriver. Oh, and you have to have a special socket to take them apart - took me $3 and about 20 minutes to make one.
Yes, they are slightly fatter, but come on, is that really that big of a deal. Maybe, but if you are jamming kegs into a keezer to the point that the extra half inch makes a difference, you are jamming them in too tight anyway.

 

[gnef]

If cost is the primary concern, like others have said, pin lock is the way to go. You must also be willing to recondition the kegs yourself and replace the gaskets.

Why don't you give us an idea of your budget, and your goals?

In terms of goals, what kind of serving setup do you want? How many kegs do you want to serve and/or hold, how many kegs to start, and how many kegs to have in years to come? How often are you brewing, and what size batches? Do you want a stout setup (I wouldn't recommend this to start with)? Are you going to start with a mini fridge, chest freezer, standup freezer, etc?

 

[ghohn]

The only drawback I see is lack of manual pressure relief valve in lid

I consider their absence be an advantage to pinlocks and not a disadvantage. One less place for leaks/worry.

 

[solbes]

Forgot about the pressure relief ring/valve on ball locks. Really nice feature IMO. I do realize you can do the same with pin locks on removing the gas connection and depressing the poppet valve. Convenience feature for ball locks.

As to the comment above about the diameter dimensions not being a big deal. They are THE deal if you have a certain sized mini-fridge like I do. I will be buying a larger minifridge in the next 12 months for the cabin to be able to fit two 5 gallon ball locks and hopefully a smaller 2 or 3 gallon ball lock on the hump. Granted if you use a regular size fridge or keezer this is much less, if any, of an issue.