MoreBeer Torpedo Keg

[mongoose33]

If I am new to kegging (been brewing since 2009, and want to start kegging once I get back from Afghanistan), would these be a good place to start? I.e. I could buy a chest freezer that fits these, instead of trying to make something I already own work.. They seem like a good option for someone that hasn't bought anything yet.

They were for me--I just started kegging and bought the 1.5 and 5.0. So far, I'm happy with them. I'd read how used corny kegs would have bases or handles come loose, that the bases would mark up floors and counters, and decided that since the difference in price wasn't that much I might as well buy something new.

Interesting tidbit on these: I wanted the small 1.5 keg to either keep in the fridge or to use for small 1-gallon experimental batches. The 5.0 would be for full 5-gallon batches.

Northern sells a modular keg system that lets you use it as either a 1-gallon or a 5-gallon keg: http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/kegging/mini-kegs/big-mouth-modular-keg-and-expansion

Normal price is $199. Even if you get it on a 20-percent off deal, it's still $160 plus shipping. And that for a system you can use as either a 1-gallon or a 5-gallon keg, but not both at the same time.

The torpedo kegs go for $74.99 for the 1.5 gallon and $89.99 for the 5 gallon, or $154.98 for both w/ economy free shipping--less than even the 20-percent off offering from Northern Brewer, *and* I have two kegs, not just a single convertible one.

Made sense to me.

 

[bradleyhunt]

Thats what I was thinking as well. Looks like I'll be getting a few of these.

 

[pshankstar]

I've been wanting to purchase a 2.5 gallon keg, so I will keep these in mind!

 

[mongoose33]

MoreBeer has a $25-off $150 purchase today--perfect for buying a couple of Torpedo kegs.

 

[natefrog255]

Glad to find this thread. I also have been intrigued by these. I do AG batches but kept my original Mr. Beer keg (2.25G~) for small batches. The 2.5G keg would be perfect to just keg instead of bottling.

Or if I wanted to keg 1/2 a 5G batch and bottle the other half, this would work too. Its on the wish list.

 

[EJay]

For what its worth, I just received a 2.5G keg from AIH that I caught on sale, so I'll be able to do a comparison soon between the two. The AIH keg is definitely narrower and probably smaller capacity - it is labelled as 9.5L but I will verify actual capacity as I did with the mid-sized torpedo.

The only reason I didn't get a second Torpedo keg is that my mini-fridge is tight on space and I think I can squeeze both the torpedo and the AIH keg in the fridge (with some hacking) when I think the extra 3/4" width of the Torpedo might not work.

 

[Yesfan]

For what its worth, I just received a 2.5G keg from AIH that I caught on sale, so I'll be able to do a comparison soon between the two. The AIH keg is definitely narrower and probably smaller capacity - it is labelled as 9.5L but I will verify actual capacity as I did with the mid-sized torpedo.

The only reason I didn't get a second Torpedo keg is that my mini-fridge is tight on space and I think I can squeeze both the torpedo and the AIH keg in the fridge (with some hacking) when I think the extra 3/4" width of the Torpedo might not work.

Thanks. Been wondering about this. I like the AiH kegs for size reasons, but the Torpedos do look cool.

 

[Homercidal]

Thinking about these. I measured my kegerator and it looks like I could fit two of these side-by-side in there with about 1/4" to spare. I'd like to stack 2.5 gallon kegs in there to have 4 taps.

Then again, is may be cheaper to just buy a bigger kegerator from CL...

 

[mongoose33]

Thinking about these. I measured my kegerator and it looks like I could fit two of these side-by-side in there with about 1/4" to spare. I'd like to stack 2.5 gallon kegs in there to have 4 taps.

Then again, is may be cheaper to just buy a bigger kegerator from CL...

Sort of like what they say about buying a safe--always buy one size larger than what you think you need.

I've been using my Torpedo Kegs now for going on 4 months and they are great. Lighter when empty (and full) than a normal corny keg, easy to handle, and they dispense the beer just fine. When the most recent keg kicked I may have had a cup of beer left in the keg, maybe less.

Looking to get probably two more. Waitin' on a sale....

 

[natehoekstra]

Sort of like what they say about buying a safe--always buy one size larger than what you think you need.

I've been using my Torpedo Kegs now for going on 4 months and they are great. Lighter when empty (and full) than a normal corny keg, easy to handle, and they dispense the beer just fine.

This x100. These little things are great. I still use my cornys for full batches, but for my gallon testers and smaller batches of cider or experimental brews, these are legit, and they carb up fast as heck.

 

[goondog]

Help ! Been a bottler for a couple years and would like to know if morebeers torpedo "system" is the way to go or should I piece a setup together ? the brewsystem comes with a 5# co2 tank and tapright regulator, and all connects. I have no idea what to get at this point and trying to price this 2.5g system out. Any advice would be awesome thx!!

 

[Yesfan]

Help ! Been a bottler for a couple years and would like to know if morebeers torpedo "system" is the way to go or should I piece a setup together ? the brewsystem comes with a 5# co2 tank and tapright regulator, and all connects. I have no idea what to get at this point and trying to price this 2.5g system out. Any advice would be awesome thx!!

That's sounds like a fair deal. I would get that if it were me. Mine was about that price (from Adventures in Homebrewing), but I didn't get a TapRite regulator when I got mine a few years back. They offer them on their systems now I think.

If you plan on adding more kegs, I would probably look and see if More Beer will add a dual body (three gauges) regulator for a bit more. This will let you serve two kegs at different pressures or one keg can be at serving pressure while the other keg is burst carbing.

 

[ViciousFishes]

Reposting my initial thoughts on the Torpedo kegs I bought at the beginning of the year. I'm still two thumbs way up
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=570455

 

[SanPancho]

i've got a few. got them with my wholesale discount, been happy with them, although i havent actually been using them that much.

they are lighter than cornies, no rubber to mark up your floors or coolers, and the coolest thing about them (other than all stainless) is that the handles on them are tall enough that if you were to stack one on top of another, you can leave your gas/beer lines connected on both kegs. its a bit tight, but it works.

comes real handy when you have the smaller guys at 1.5 and 2.5 gallons, you can stack and still have each connected to dispense and serve.

 

[55x11]

This x100. These little things are great. I still use my cornys for full batches, but for my gallon testers and smaller batches of cider or experimental brews, these are legit, and they carb up fast as heck.

I have 3 of the 2.6 Gallon ones (need to buy one more) - and they are great. Light (6lbs empty), seal perfectly well, high quality - and stackable, which allows me to split the batch into two, do different fruit or hop addition (or ferment with different yeast) and they only take as much footprint in my keggerator as a single keg.
Perfect!

 

[Homercidal]

I got 2 of the 2.5 gallon kegs for my birthday. I haven't filled one up yet, but I plan to do so soon. I should be just about down to that much left in my Scottish Heavy, and I think I want to rack it over into one of these.

I did a test for fit and I can fit both of them diagonally in my smaller fridge and still close the door without removing the door shelves. They can also stack 2 high, so I can go from 2 x 5 gallon kegs, to up to 4 x 2.5 gallon kegs. This is good for me because I like some variety. I can always load a 5 gallon keg in there if I know I'm going to want 5 gallons of something (like IPA) but having 2.5 gallon kegs is nice too so I can fill 2 of them up with the same beer, but with some different dry hops added, or other flavorings, or if I just want to use 2 different yeasts and split a regular batch or something.

 

[sancycling]

Will the Torpedo kegs take standard ball lock fittings? Or do you have to use the torpedo brand stainless disconnects?

 

[jpakstis]

Will the Torpedo kegs take standard ball lock fittings? Or do you have to use the torpedo brand stainless disconnects?

I have two and they fit normal disconnects.

 

[Homercidal]

Will the Torpedo kegs take standard ball lock fittings? Or do you have to use the torpedo brand stainless disconnects?

They are very much just a corny keg, but new and with stainless tops and bottoms instead of rubber. The only problem I've heard about them is that the lid might be tricky to get to seal.

 

[mongoose33]

They are very much just a corny keg, but new and with stainless tops and bottoms instead of rubber. The only problem I've heard about them is that the lid might be tricky to get to seal.

I haven't had any trouble with mine at all. A little burst of CO2 and they're good to go.

 

[ryan810cows]

Just wanted to give this little bump.. I'm going to purchase one of these bad boys next month!! Any feed back would be welcome!

 

[mongoose33]

Just wanted to give this little bump.. I'm going to purchase one of these bad boys next month!! Any feed back would be welcome!

Here's the only consideration I'd offer: determine whether you want the taller, thinner kegs or the shorter, squatter version based on the dimensions of the kegerator or keezer or refrigerator from which you'll serve them.

You may want a combination of both. I have the typical compressor hump in my keezer and there is not enough space for a normal ball-lock corny keg to sit on the hump--but there *is* for one of the shorter, squattier Torpedo kegs to sit there. So I can have two of the shorter torpedo kegs on the hump, and let the rest of the taller ones occupy the rest of the keezer. This maximizes space utilization.

I'm in the process of getting a bulkhead to pass the gas line through the collar so I can keep the CO2 tank outside the keezer, opening up another slot for a keg.

 

[55x11]

Here's the only consideration I'd offer: determine whether you want the taller, thinner kegs or the shorter, squatter version based on the dimensions of the kegerator or keezer or refrigerator from which you'll serve them.

You may want a combination of both. I have the typical compressor hump in my keezer and there is not enough space for a normal ball-lock corny keg to sit on the hump--but there *is* for one of the shorter, squattier Torpedo kegs to sit there. So I can have two of the shorter torpedo kegs on the hump, and let the rest of the taller ones occupy the rest of the keezer. This maximizes space utilization.

I'm in the process of getting a bulkhead to pass the gas line through the collar so I can keep the CO2 tank outside the keezer, opening up another slot for a keg.

I agree - and see if you can stack an additional 3G keg on top maybe (I use my 3G torpedoes to stack them - but I suspect most people don't utilize their stickability - a rare feature!).

My torpedoes seal very easily and securely, btw - better than cornies.

Finally - to mongoose33, why use bulkhead? Just drill a hole of the right size (just big enough to pass the hose), and maybe use some calk to fill the extra space. I considered bulkheads too, but I think it's overkill. Simple solutions work best!

 

[mongoose33]

I agree - and see if you can stack an additional 3G keg on top maybe (I use my 3G torpedoes to stack them - but I suspect most people don't utilize their stickability - a rare feature!).

My torpedoes seal very easily and securely, btw - better than cornies.

Finally - to mongoose33, why use bulkhead? Just drill a hole of the right size (just big enough to pass the hose), and maybe use some calk to fill the extra space. I considered bulkheads too, but I think it's overkill. Simple solutions work best!

Well, in the abstract, I agree with you. However, my keezer is fairly unique in that the collar just sits on the freezer. Most people permanently attach their collars to the freezer w/ glue or silicone sealer or some such. Mine sits on foam rubber one uses to line the rim of a pickup truck bed before putting a topper on it. The weight of the collar and lid seals it nicely.

One reason why I wanted it this way is that if I need to move it, the collar can be moved independently of the freezer part. In fact, that's how I moved it into my basement. This approach greatly reduces the weight.

Should I move it again, I'd like to remove everything I can before having to lift and move it. Easiest would be a bulkhead fitting from which I can unscrew the CO2. It's a little pricier, but not all that much, and I like the elegance of the solution.

 

[Horseflesh]

I need a keg in the ~ 1 gallon range to do some flavoring tests. The 1.5 gal Torpedo looks like a good candidate, but before I order one... Are there any other products to consider?

 

[mongoose33]

I need a keg in the ~ 1 gallon range to do some flavoring tests. The 1.5 gal Torpedo looks like a good candidate, but before I order one... Are there any other products to consider?

Northern Brewer has a small one like that.

 

[Horseflesh]

Thanks for the tip. I took a peek but it costs about 2x as much as the mini Torpedo, unfortunately. For the price difference I guess I can put up with the Torpedo's quirks.

 

[mongoose33]

Thanks for the tip. I took a peek but it costs about 2x as much as the mini Torpedo, unfortunately. For the price difference I guess I can put up with the Torpedo's quirks.

What are the quirks? I have three of them (including the small one), and I've had no difficulty at all. I wish all my kegs were Torpedoes.

 

[Horseflesh]

Well I don't own one yet but the thread is full of complaints that they are hard to seal.

Edit: maybe that was more in the reviews on the seller's site, regardless, there were plenty.

If you love them that is great news IMHO!

 

[mongoose33]

Well I don't own one yet but the thread is full of complaints that they are hard to seal.

Edit: maybe that was more in the reviews on the seller's site, regardless, there were plenty.

If you love them that is great news IMHO!

Make sure you have keg lube and use it. When I got my torpedoes I completely disassembled them, cleaned all parts in PBW, rinsed well, then reassembled w/ keg lube. Every o-ring gets it. Especially the big one on the lid!