Corny Kegs

[roryspa]

Hello, I just got my first corny keg in today:rockin: and i was playing with how to take it apart. I was wondering 1 if the wrench you need to remove the star shaped post is a common tool that i could get at home depot... maybe a dumb question. I was also wondering how long it takes to disassemble clean and sanitize a soda keg (ball lock)?
Thanks

 

[ScoutMan]

7/8" 12 point deep well socket should due the trick. How long?, well that depends on how good you are and how clean you want it

 

[Flyin' Lion]

VERY IMPORTANT--do not forget which side you remove which post from. The gas in and liquid out will only fit their appropriate QD connector (fyi the gas in has notches in the "nut"). I have made this mistake and plan on reminding everyone new to kegging so they don't make the same mistake I made.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=17160

 

[user 4295]

I will add that this site on Soda Keg Maintenance and Draft System Line Balancing are truly enlightening.

 

[debtman7]

You'll never find the 12 point socket at HD, but sears has them.

 

[kornkob]

I don't use a socket. I use a standard wrench. Most wrenches have an open end and a 12 point closed end.

Properly cleaned and lubricated, the posts will spin off by hand once you use the wrench to 'crack the seal', so to speak.

 

[sirsloop]

lol... i may need to use a f-ing impact to get a couple of the posts off three of the kegs I recently got. I'm sure they either havent been removed in like 25 years or they were installed with a 200lbs/ft impact gun. I'm no small guy, and using a 1/2" wrench w/ cheater bar didnt even budge them!!

 

[Ol' Grog]

Put some wd-40 on it and let it sit for a couple of hours, then try again. If it's that hard, you may actually dent up the keg itself.

 

[david_42]

I've had a couple tough ones as well, but it's there a Law that says one nut won't come off?

 

[Orpheus]

I once had one really stubborn post that wouldn't come off, so I ended up putting a wrench on it, and using a hammer to loosen it. It actually worked really well!

 

[Bobby_M]

The hardest part is holding the damn keg from turning when you're trying to put that much torque on it. I had to make myself the "custom" pinlock socket with a grinder and I finally got some of the more stubborn posts off. You might also try applying some heat to the post after taking the outter O-ring off. It might soften up the gunk on the inner O-ring.

 

[sirsloop]

Yeah I made up a socket myself. I'll fire up the impact this weekend. My neighbors (one wall away) probably dont want to hear my compressor running and an impact gun at 7pm

 

[Bobby_M]

Be careful. The keg walls are pretty thin and you might actually spin the post right out. I'd def fill a bucket with some boiling water and turn the keg upside down (with the lid removed) and let it soak for about an hour. Then try manually again.

 

[roryspa]

Thanks for the replies!
Cheers!