Help me decide which keg to buy!

[Photopilot]

If you are going to really get into brewing, you are going to want 3 gallon kegs eventually. But if you buy 3 gallon kegs you are going to want 5 gallon kegs soon. I got 16 full sized kegs and now want a few 3 gallon kegs. I think they would be neat to bring onto a boat or to a picnic, but pretty useless for 5 gallon batches, 10 gallon batches etc. Having a few would come in handy for my 13 gallon batches.

I used to have pin locks but, then mixed kegs and am now all ball lock. I like the ball locks because they are taller and narrower, allowing 9 to fit in my keezer. If I had a shorter fridge the pin lock may fit better. All things considered I like the ball locks better. If you want to invest in long term kegging I'd suggest buying 5 gallon ball locks. If you want to get started now buy these 3 gallons and have them around for future use for party and picnics, when you have many 5 gallon kegs.

 

[all_about_stouts]

Update:

I got the keg in the mail a few days ago. It came pressurized so I know the seals are all good, but I ordered new seals anyway. I already have my CO2, regulator, and the gas line and fittings. It's in pretty good condition. Doesn't look like any dents in the steel, the black platic (or rubber?) top and bottom are in rough shape but overall not too bad. Worth it for $50!

I have a beer that's done fermenting that's just waiting to get put in the keg. I'll probably put it in today or tomorrow.

The only thing I need is some equipment for the liquid side. I should probably get a picnic tap, but I would also really like the ability to bottle from the keg. I know I pay another $75 for a Blichmann beer gun, and spend more on the fittings, hoses and other accessories, but is there a cheaper way?

Does anyone else use a different method to bottle from a keg?

 

[GilSwillBasementBrews]

Check out the "we don't need no stinking beer gun" thread. Essentially using a bottle wand jammed into the end of a picnic tap used to fill bottles works pretty good and a lot cheaper.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/we-no-need-no-stinking-beer-gun-24678/

Sent from somewhere to someone

 

[all_about_stouts]

Check out the "we don't need no stinking beer gun" thread. Essentially using a bottle wand jammed into the end of a picnic tap used to fill bottles works pretty good and a lot cheaper.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/we-no-need-no-stinking-beer-gun-24678/

Sent from somewhere to someone

Ahh! Now that's exactly what I'm looking for! I will definitely check that out. Thank you.


Also, does anyone have some tips on cleaning out a keg thoroughly? Mine still smells like Coke. I'll google it also, but figured I'd ask here anyway.
Thanks!

 

[Photopilot]

Ahh! Now that's exactly what I'm looking for! I will definitely check that out. Thank you.


Also, does anyone have some tips on cleaning out a keg thoroughly? Mine still smells like Coke. I'll google it also, but figured I'd ask here anyway.
Thanks!

Replace all o-rings.

 

[all_about_stouts]

Replace all o-rings.

Really? That will help with the coke residue? I'll swap them out tonight.

 

[Yooper]

Really? That will help with the coke residue? I'll swap them out tonight.

Yes. There are some inside the posts, some on the posts, and a big one around the lid. They are need to be replaced.

 

[all_about_stouts]

Yes. There are some inside the posts, some on the posts, and a big one around the lid. They are need to be replaced.

Yeah I have them all. I'll replace them and clean all those areas while I do. That should definitely help.