With ball lock kegs becoming more and more rare, I simply am wondering why people don't use sanke 1/6 BBL kegs. They are cheaper than new 5 gal ball lock.
If I could get them cheap (and legally), sure why not? They are a little of a PITA to get the things open and clean, but other than that, there is no reason not to use them.
I own 2 ball lock cornies, 2 1/6 bbl sanke, and 2 1/4 bbl sanke kegs. I prefer them for different things. The sanke kegs are super quick and easy to open and close with a pocket screwdriver and channel locks. The sanke kegs feel more solid and less likely to ever leak. The cornies on the other hand are easier if I plan on adding anything to the beer after I keg. It's nice to have both.
ive seen them on various websites for around 85 new... so that seems like a deal seeing as how reconditioned ball locks are becoming scarce and new ball locks are roughly 130 new.
Sankeys are a better system IMO, but I do like being able to dry hop in corny kegs. If my keezer could fit as many sixtels as it can cornies, I might switch to using them nearly exclusively. I have several sankeys in various sizes that I use as fermentors, and occasionally keg in for use in my portable trash can kegerator.