MoreBeer Torpedo Keg

[RevKev]

Being that sankes are workhorses and easy to clean and operate.. anything I should know of getting into the ball lock game?

 

[Jayzon]

Bummer. I had a 1.5 that arrived in the mail without pressure in it (all my others came pressurized, so I knew they held pressure even before I cleaned and lubed them), but cleaning and lubing the offending keg solved the problem.

Good news is: you know where it is leaking. If you haven't used keg lube yet (since you say you're going by the store to get some) then that's definitely step one: break it all down, clean it all thoroughly, lube all the rings, and see how you fare. Reassembly will make sure everything is tight as well: the fact that they're both leaking in exactly the same place tells me it's something assembly related.

Barring that, the next thing I'd do is call MoreBeer to give them a chance to make it right, either with new o-rings or a new keg.

Looks like Keg-lube and new o-rings did the trick! I was worried since they were both leaking from the same spot that it was a design or assembly defect like you said. Time for me to plan a brew day :rockin:

 

[Ike]

Hey all, while breaking down and cleaning one of the Torpedos for the first time (actually the first time I've EVER used a keg) I noticed the O-rings on the dip tubes had taken a beating. The gas-in is ok, but I feel like the beer-out is bad enough that I'll probably have to replace it before use.

Reading online, it seems this is just status quo? Do folks just replace those each time they fill? Or does it mean I'm over-tightening the posts?

 

[Newsman]

Hey all, while breaking down and cleaning one of the Torpedos for the first time (actually the first time I've EVER used a keg) I noticed the O-rings on the dip tubes had taken a beating. The gas-in is ok, but I feel like the beer-out is bad enough that I'll probably have to replace it before use.

Reading online, it seems this is just status quo? Do folks just replace those each time they fill? Or does it mean I'm over-tightening the posts?

I should probably replace the O rings more often, but every 3-5 times seems to be the recommendation, unless you're made of money and want to replace them every time.

 

[day_trippr]

Aside from replacing all the o-rings on new-to-me kegs out of GPs, the only o-rings I've ever replaced since are post o-rings. Some of these kegs I've been using for almost 14 years now.

Use keg lube whenever you break down a keg; never install a fitting with a dry O-ring...

Cheers!

 

[Ike]

I should probably replace the O rings more often, but every 3-5 times seems to be the recommendation, unless you're made of money and want to replace them every time.

Definitely not made of money, but found a batch of 100 for under a sawbuck on Amazon, with good reviews from homebrewers. SO, if I do decide to swap them out, the $0.20 shouldn't hurt too bad!

 

[mongoose33]

When Morebeer had their 12 percent off sale last week, I couldn't resist and bought another Torpedo keg--the slimline.

Tonite I broke it down, lubed all the o-rings, reassembled it, ran it through my keg washer (PBW), filled with star-san and then purged the star-san.

It was holding pressure when I took it out of the shipping box, and it appears to be holding pressure now. I'll know tomorrow. EDITED: Still holding this morning. Now all I need to do is fill it with beer!

I want to note one thing about keg lube. I think a lot of people see keg lube as if it were something like caulk--that is, sealing the cracks. I don't think that's what keg lube primarily does. I think what it does is lubricate the seals so they slide into place correctly. The o-rings should seal just fine so long as they can find their proper position.

 

[MaryB]

Following this... I use a chest freezer for a fridge(it runs off solar so super high efficiency!) and the torpedo kegs would fit without a collar.

 

[EJay]

When Morebeer had their 12 percent off sale last week, I couldn't resist and bought another Torpedo keg--the slimline.

I missed that sale, but there's a 10% off today so I pulled the trigger on a 2.5G slimline. It will be interesting to see how it stacks up against my other 2.5G torpedo.

 

[Ike]

I missed that sale, but there's a 10% off today so I pulled the trigger on a 2.5G slimline. It will be interesting to see how it stacks up against my other 2.5G torpedo.

EDITED TO ADD: Found the code myself. THANKS for the heads-up! Scored myself one more 5gal slimline. I believe/hope/pray that's the last one I'll need for a while, good to get it 10% off!

FURTHER EDIT: I guess I should mention it's only good for today 12/20/16, but the code is LASTCHANCE10...

 

[BeardedBrews]

Being that sankes are workhorses and easy to clean and operate.. anything I should know of getting into the ball lock game?

I think you'll find the ball locks relatively easy to use.

The big difference is the increase in quantity of seal points. 2x at the dip tubes, 2x on the outside of the posts, each post pop-it, rings in each of the ball-lock disconnect, a large ring on the lid, and then the integrated seal on the lid PRV.

As far as operation, the lid likes to be "seated" with pressure before it seals properly. Pull up on the lid handle while you initially apply pressure to make sure it presses up against the top, or you can just use higher pressure to pop the lid up in place. Also more is not exactly better on the keg lube, just a thin coat is fine. Other than that, connect and go.

 

[Ike]

Also more is not exactly better on the keg lube, just a thin coat is fine.

Although I'm a noob when it comes to lubing kegs, I've dealt with similar situations in other walks of life (SCUBA and being my wife's pool-boy for example). The way I look at it: I should have a really hard time telling whether or not there is ANY silicone on the ring by sight. It should take picking it up to feel whether or not it's been lubed.

 

[mongoose33]

Although I'm a noob when it comes to lubing kegs, I've dealt with similar situations in other walks of life (SCUBA and being my wife's pool-boy for example). The way I look at it: I should have a really hard time telling whether or not there is ANY silicone on the ring by sight. It should take picking it up to feel whether or not it's been lubed.

I don't know either--which is why when I just got my new keg, I took it apart and lubed all the rubber in it. The large o-ring for the lid was lubed by taking a little keg lube on my fingers and just rubbing it around the ring. It's not goopy or with tendrils of lube hanging off it, just enough to make it greasy.

I lube the o-rings on the posts by simply rubbing keg lube on them so as to lubricate the rings when the QDs are installed. The poppet valves inside the posts and the valve inside the PRV? I just rub keg lube on them.

It seems to work....

 

[Homercidal]

Although I'm a noob when it comes to lubing kegs, I've dealt with similar situations in other walks of life (SCUBA and being my wife's pool-boy for example). The way I look at it: I should have a really hard time telling whether or not there is ANY silicone on the ring by sight. It should take picking it up to feel whether or not it's been lubed.

I'm not exactly sure how being a pool boy would help you understand lubing, but maybe you can explain it a little bit??

 

[kristiismean]

the oring on the strainer is a pita without lube. to tight.

if it's shiny, it's coated and coated enough. it's the same way you lube orings for paintball. Only put on enough to make them shiny.

 

[RevKev]

I think you'll find the ball locks relatively easy to use.

The big difference is the increase in quantity of seal points. 2x at the dip tubes, 2x on the outside of the posts, each post pop-it, rings in each of the ball-lock disconnect, a large ring on the lid, and then the integrated seal on the lid PRV.

As far as operation, the lid likes to be "seated" with pressure before it seals properly. Pull up on the lid handle while you initially apply pressure to make sure it presses up against the top, or you can just use higher pressure to pop the lid up in place. Also more is not exactly better on the keg lube, just a thin coat is fine. Other than that, connect and go.

Why thank you for the introduction! Jeeze. I like my one o-ring and spine but I want three taps so badly haha so I'll just have to learn

 

[BeardedBrews]

Why thank you for the introduction! Jeeze. I like my one o-ring and spine but I want three taps so badly haha so I'll just have to learn

If you have figured out how to clean a sankey, ball lock kegs will be a walk in the park. Enjoy.

 

[Steveruch]

I'm not exactly sure how being a pool boy would help you understand lubing, but maybe you can explain it a little bit??

I don't think I want to know.

 

[Ike]

I'm not exactly sure how being a pool boy would help you understand lubing, but maybe you can explain it a little bit??

Ha. I'm must be gettin' old. My usually-on-point gutter-brain didn't pick up on that one when I typed it. I WAS referring to all the O-ring maintenance that went with the pump and filter on our pool.

 

[Yesfan]

BUMP:

Quick question (or two).

Are the standard and slimline torpedos interchangable as far as stacking goes? I see where the 1.75G and 2.5G versions of the slim lines sometimes are back ordered. I like to get a couple of 2.5G slimlines and a 1.75G of which is available. Just wondering if I could stack a 1.75G standard on a 2.5G slim.

On these kegs, do the lids have hooks on the underside to hang hop bags and/or SS hop filters?


Not a deal breaker if the answers are no, but thought I'd ask. I'm thinking about getting a 1.75G for test batches.

Thanks!

 

[Homercidal]

The website shows they are all the same diameter, so I'm guessing that's a yes.

 

[mongoose33]

BUMP:

Quick question (or two).

Are the standard and slimline torpedos interchangable as far as stacking goes? I see where the 1.75G and 2.5G versions of the slim lines sometimes are back ordered. I like to get a couple of 2.5G slimlines and a 1.75G of which is available. Just wondering if I could stack a 1.75G standard on a 2.5G slim.

You can, but it's not going to nest as nicely. I have one of the small standards and it will sort of sit on top of a slimline, just not solidly.

On these kegs, do the lids have hooks on the underside to hang hop bags and/or SS hop filters?

Not on the four I have.

Not a deal breaker if the answers are no, but thought I'd ask. I'm thinking about getting a 1.75G for test batches.
Thanks!

A good plan. I've used mine to take beer on a camping trip; small enough I can put it in a cooler w/ some ice, a little CO2 cartridge dealie to push out the beer, and a picnic tap.

 

[alexnova]

I cashed in a bunch of LHBS reward points for the 1.6gal (or 1.75gal) and it's great for travel. Pair it with a mini-regulator and it's hard to beat nitro-on-the-go.

 

[Ragnorg]

A quick question for anyone that has these kegs... are the dimensions listed on MoreBeer exact?

I ask because the differences between the slimiline and standard don't really add up. To make up for the lower diameter the 1.5 gallon slimline keg adds about an inch of height. The 2.5 gallon only adds about half an inch of height.
Either the listed dimensions are wrong or the volumes are not the same between the slimline and standard.

 

[mongoose33]

A quick question for anyone that has these kegs... are the dimensions listed on MoreBeer exact?

I ask because the differences between the slimiline and standard don't really add up. To make up for the lower diameter the 1.5 gallon slimline keg adds about an inch of height. The 2.5 gallon only adds about half an inch of height.
Either the listed dimensions are wrong or the volumes are not the same between the slimline and standard.

I have both. The short one is about 22 1/2" tall, the tall one is about 25 1/2" tall.

I have two more of the slimline on order from Morebeer. That will make...six total.

 

[Ragnorg]

I have both. The short one is about 22 1/2" tall, the tall one is about 25 1/2" tall.

I have two more of the slimline on order from Morebeer. That will make...six total.

That's a bit troubling. The site has 5 gallon listed as under 25" for the slimline... so yeah those numbers must be off.
I'm trying to get pretty exact with the space available. What I really need to know is the 2.5.

 

[mongoose33]

That's a bit troubling. The site has 5 gallon listed as under 25" for the slimline... so yeah those numbers must be off.
I'm trying to get pretty exact with the space available. What I really need to know is the 2.5.

Tomorrow morning call them and ask. They wouldn't be shipping before then anyway.

 

[Steveruch]

I just bought a 2 1/2 gallon AEB from Keg Connection for $87.90: $79.95 for the keg and $7.95 for shipping.
I'm sure the Torpedo is okay, but I decided quite a while ago to hold out for top of the line at a good price.

 

[Ragnorg]

I sent a message. I haven't actually ordered any yet... I'm leaning toward the slimline but those are out of stock at the moment anyway.
It's a shame the standard kegs aren't just half an inch shorter on the five gallon ... it would be pretty much perfect on the compressor hump of the fridge I'm working with then.

 

[mongoose33]

I sent a message. I haven't actually ordered any yet... I'm leaning toward the slimline but those are out of stock at the moment anyway.
It's a shame the standard kegs aren't just half an inch shorter on the five gallon ... it would be pretty much perfect on the compressor hump of the fridge I'm working with then.

Two words: taller collar.

I have two of the shorter 5-gallon Torpedoes and they fit on the hump, whereas the slimlines do not. Using the slimmer Torpedoes or regular Corny Kegs I can get four on the floor of the keezer, two on the hump.

BTW, and this is not necessarily for you Ragnorg but anybody measuring for a keezer collar, make sure you take into account whether and how much the freezer lid extends down into the freezer space. Mine extends down about an inch, which has caused issues both with using a regulator screwed to the back of the collar, and being able to sit a normal keg on the hump.

If you look at the pic below, you'll see this sort of beveled extension down into the freezer. I presume it's packed with insulation, a good thing, but it reduces the interior dimensions by that much.