Cider Wraith
Well-Known Member
I want to like old kegs, I really do. I’ve lovingly cleaned them up as if restoring an old car. I’ve replaced parts and scraped off old stickers and wondered where they’ed been and stories they could tell. But not having time to babysit constantly leaking lids running out of patience.
Half a year ago switched from carboys to corny keg fermenters with lots to like. One inch trimmed tubes work ideally. And because I typically make about two-and-a-half gallon batches, five gallon cornys work well for transferring and elevating to a countertop for gravity transfers. And I like the idea I can have a fermenting session where I start five batches in five cornys and give them five days or five weeks and there's no rush to process them because all I'm tying up is an inexpensive old keg.
However, incessant lid leaking has me close to about being done with them. Tried everything, new over-sized "O-ring" seals, application of lube from a new tube every-single time opening the lid, pressurizing them with a tank to "seal" the lid, spacers including cardboard and pennies under the sealing struts, all new PRVs. And, just when I think a lid is holding and pressurize it up to about 12 PSI to “seal it” - two hours later it’s pissed away all the pressure and again hissing gas through the seal.
Appreciate any feedback or success stories on when you gave up on corny fermenters and bought a proper fermenter and also on which dedicated fermenter to consider. Any words of wisdom appreciated.
Half a year ago switched from carboys to corny keg fermenters with lots to like. One inch trimmed tubes work ideally. And because I typically make about two-and-a-half gallon batches, five gallon cornys work well for transferring and elevating to a countertop for gravity transfers. And I like the idea I can have a fermenting session where I start five batches in five cornys and give them five days or five weeks and there's no rush to process them because all I'm tying up is an inexpensive old keg.
However, incessant lid leaking has me close to about being done with them. Tried everything, new over-sized "O-ring" seals, application of lube from a new tube every-single time opening the lid, pressurizing them with a tank to "seal" the lid, spacers including cardboard and pennies under the sealing struts, all new PRVs. And, just when I think a lid is holding and pressurize it up to about 12 PSI to “seal it” - two hours later it’s pissed away all the pressure and again hissing gas through the seal.
Appreciate any feedback or success stories on when you gave up on corny fermenters and bought a proper fermenter and also on which dedicated fermenter to consider. Any words of wisdom appreciated.
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