How do I open and clean this keg?

[TAK]

I got this 5 gal keg for free, but it didn't come with a tap or anything. I'm comfortable with corny kegs, but know zip about commercial kegs. Hopefully the pictures show up okay below. What do I need to open this thing up, clean it out, and fill it with something else?

From what I'm seeing about commercial kegs, the taps are not all standard, but most are US Sanky Tap, and this keg has anheuser busch on it, so I assume it's probably this same style. Is that right?

Does the opening on a commercial keg stay open at all in any way? I can see a ball is mounted on the inside, which I assume is holding all the pressure, and that the tap opens that up. So, do you rack into a commercial keg like any other open vessel, or do you have to push anything and everything (i.e. cleaner, sanitizer, beer) with pressure into and out of the keg?

 

[TAK]

Another pic...

 

[kombat]

Dare I ask how you came to acquire such an expensive piece of hardware for "free?"

 

[TyTanium]

There are a bunch of videos online.

Put a rag over the ball and push it with a screwdriver to release all pressure (it'll spray beer everywhere if you skip the rag)

Then use a small screwdriver to pry out the snap ring where I circled in red. Then the spear comes right out.

 

[Phil28307]

I am unaware of anyway to clean this keg without using commercial equipment. The problem you have is the ball is spring loaded and is hard to push down without special equipment. There may be a way to pull the stem out. Check out the picture.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Lay the keg on it's side, cover the opening with the rag, and then the screwdriver deal to depress the ball.

Chances are, there is not enough product within to cover the "spear" or dip tube, and you should only release gas..........Tee hee hee!

 

[TAK]

Thanks for the tip about laying it on its side, makes sense.

How does the ring pry off after the pressure is released, straight up or in a clockwise or counter-clockwise motion?

All in all it sounds like a bit of a pain. If I get it open, I hope some hot PBW will get it clean; obviously scrubbing is pretty much out of the question with the small opening.

 

[TAK]

Oh, and can you tell from the pictures, am I correct assuming its a US Sanky connection; i.e. Is that the tap style I would want to buy?

 

[kombat]

Still wondering how the OP scored a free keg. Somewhere a brewery is missing a keg.

 

[LandoLincoln]

Still wondering how the OP scored a free keg. Somewhere a brewery is missing a keg.

You should file a police report.

 

[LandoLincoln]

Thanks for the tip about laying it on its side, makes sense.

How does the ring pry off after the pressure is released, straight up or in a clockwise or counter-clockwise motion?

All in all it sounds like a bit of a pain. If I get it open, I hope some hot PBW will get it clean; obviously scrubbing is pretty much out of the question with the small opening.

It's really not that tough. Just use a small screwdriver to get the snap ring out. Just pry it out of there. No worries about clockwise or counter-clockwise.

 

[TyTanium]

Oh, and can you tell from the pictures, am I correct assuming its a US Sanky connection; i.e. Is that the tap style I would want to buy?

Yes, Sankey D coupler

Hot PBW Soak, Hot Rinses, Star San. Good to go.

Purge w/CO2, rack in your beer, put in the spear, reinstall the snap ring (I use adjustible pliers), install your coupler and purge with CO2 a few more times, then you're ready. Make sure your beer line is attached before tapping the keg.


+1 for questioning the source. It's possible someone wasn't able to get his deposit back and decided to give it away. In that case the keg still belongs to the brewery. Many liquor stores will give you the $30 cash deposit back even with no receipt.

 

[TAK]

Still wondering how the OP scored a free keg. Somewhere a brewery is missing a keg.

You should file a police report.

Hmmm,... Definitely wasn't acquired by nefarious means. A buddy found it in his garage; said it'd been there for 4 or 5 years. Legality concerns never even crossed my mind. I assume that someone somewhere just paid a deposit for the keg and never reclaimed the deposit. The keg still has probably a gallon left.

 

[TAK]

Suppose I should take it to a liquor store or something? I seriously have no interest in holding onto something if it's really still someone else's property.

 

[Spookgolds]

Suppose I should take it to a liquor store or something? I seriously have no interest in holding onto something if it's really still someone else's property.

I think you need to relax. Trust me, AB isn't missing one sixtel after 5 years.

Or maybe you take it to a place that sells kegs and try to get the deposit? You could then use that money to buy a used corny...:fro:

 

[TAK]

Well, the only reason I took it was because I was hoping it'd be useful for batch aging. But it sounds like it's not super east to get into, if I do, I know it's gotta be an freakin mess in there after 5 years if sitting in a garage, plus I still need to purchase parts for it if I want it functional. Might be easiest to go see if I can get a deposit for it rather than fork out more cash and effort.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Thanks for the tip about laying it on its side, makes sense.

How does the ring pry off after the pressure is released, straight up or in a clockwise or counter-clockwise motion?

All in all it sounds like a bit of a pain. If I get it open, I hope some hot PBW will get it clean; obviously scrubbing is pretty much out of the question with the small opening.

The clip you are trying to take out is flat,(naturally), so visualize a "flat wound spring", and once you get an end of the clip free, "walk" it out of the groove, like you were "unwinding" a spring...........Keep a little downward pressure on the spear at the same time, and it will come right out, maybe a little sticky with some dried up Redweiser or something...........

 

[LandoLincoln]

Hmmm,... Definitely wasn't acquired by nefarious means. A buddy found it in his garage; said it'd been there for 4 or 5 years. Legality concerns never even crossed my mind. I assume that someone somewhere just paid a deposit for the keg and never reclaimed the deposit. The keg still has probably a gallon left.

NOW you've done it...here we go...

 

[lostcheesehead]

Well, the only reason I took it was because I was hoping it'd be useful for batch aging. But it sounds like it's not super east to get into, if I do, I know it's gotta be an freakin mess in there after 5 years if sitting in a garage, plus I still need to purchase parts for it if I want it functional. Might be easiest to go see if I can get a deposit for it rather than fork out more cash and effort.

Well, it's been hermetically sealed for all this time, so while you're going to have some nasties to deal with (wear nose plugs when you get it open) you should be able to clean it well with some hot water and PBW.

If you already have a corny setup and don't want to deal with sanke, do what you think is best at this point. But I agree with others that A-B isn't missing that keg; I'm certain they make more in one-day sales in my dry county alone than they lose in lost kegs. Don't let it bother your conscience too much.

 

[TyTanium]

Yeah, man, if it were me, I'd call around a few liquor stores and see who will give you the deposit w/out a receipt. Whether or not they miss it is irrelevant; it's still their keg. No judgment here, just calling it as I see it.

You must do what you feel is right. (said in Obi Wan voice)