New or recon kegs?

[noladom]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of buying reconditioned ball lock kegs rather than new? Besides the lesser price of course.


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[day_trippr]

There seem to be a lot of crappy new kegs on the market.

I actually feel more comfortable with "vintage" corny type kegs. I have 14 of them from various manufacturers, and if they hold pressure you can maintain them without much of an issue - everything is removable and replaceable if needed. Apparently, that's not necessarily the case with some new kegs...

Cheers!

 

[Hello]

I think used is fine. From a LHBS they're usually guaranteed to hold pressure so why spend cash on new?

 

[noladom]

That's where I was going. I was gonna order a single 5gal keg system from NorthernBrewer and figured why not get used. It's nothing to me anyway because I'm gonna sanitize and if it didn't hold pressure they'll give an exchange within a long enough time for me to know whether it holds or not. I would also assume that "reconditioned" means replaced ball lock. Or at least that they've inspected it all for functionality.


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[govner1]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of buying reconditioned ball lock kegs rather than new? Besides the lesser price of course.


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I have 5 listed in the FS thread. Lower cost, good condition, & not Chinese crap !!


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[Yesfan]

I've gotten all mine from McEver. The first six was about $35/ea after shipping about two years ago. The last six I got a couple of weeks ago for about $45/each. Still cheaper than the two 2.5 gallon kegs I have.

Unless the used market completely dries up, I doubt I'll ever buy a new keg....at least the 5 gallon kegs.

 

[jekeane]

I live close to Mcever distributors I ordered 6 from them directly rather than from ebay. they did a bit better price on shipping that way.

 

[Yesfan]

I live close to Mcever distributors I ordered 6 from them directly rather than from ebay. they did a bit better price on shipping that way.

How close are they to Santa Rosa, FL? If they are close enough, I may get my brother to pick up more if I order.

 

[outside92129]

I second McEver distributors, and i'm in CA! I bought ~40 of them last year for our brew crew.

 

[day_trippr]

[...]I would also assume that "reconditioned" means replaced ball lock. Or at least that they've inspected it all for functionality

"Along with pressure testing each keg, we replace the lid o-rings and outer-post o-rings, if needed. Many of our competitors do not do this, but we want to make absolutely sure you are satisfied – even if it's a used keg at a low price! Our technicians have also cleaned each keg with a caustic soda rinse – but even so – the keg may retain a sweet smell similar to a lemon-lime soft drink. The keg exteriors have not had extensive cleaning, so as with most "used" soda kegs we recommend that you thoroughly clean the keg inside (again) and out before using."

So, you cannot count on receiving a keg with all new o-rings.
Or that the kegs will arrive fit for brewing without additional cleaning.
All you can really expect is the keg holds pressure.

I always replace all five o-rings on new-to-me kegs, then clean the living hell out of 'em.

If you don't have a dip tube brush, get one, and get some keg lube while you're at it...

Cheers!

 

[Jman_01]

Luckily I am not one that cares about having a new and shiny keg for looks. I save money and go reconditioned route! They do what it need, which is hold my beer. Plus, used ones have once before held someone else's beer! They're veterans


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[Gareth68]

As a new brewer, I have gotten "reconditioned" kegs from two different sources.

I will buy used again as needed.

I must say, only in the brewing world could they use the term reconditioned for an item which they don't even cough up the couple bucks it takes to replace all the seals.

It's easy enough to do.....and you have to take them apart anyway to clean....since hey they aren't even thoroughly cleaned when reconditioned.


To me, "reconditioned" should mean completely cleaned and inspected. All seals including poppets replaced. Pressure tested and shipped.

This would cost far more then what we can buy them for, and I don't need to incur that cost.....but that is was a true reconditioning would entail.

If you got a reconditioned master cylinder for your car and they partially cleaned it, replaced only the easiest seal to access without taking it apart and did a quick pressure test and through it in the box....would anyone actually accept that terminology?

It is a minor point really, I am happy with the product received for the price charged....and that is all that really matters.

 

[PapaO]

If you got a reconditioned master cylinder for your car and they partially cleaned it, replaced only the easiest seal to access without taking it apart and did a quick pressure test and through it in the box....would anyone actually accept that terminology?
On Auto parts they use the term rebuilt. So if they said rebuilt keg I would expect it to be striped down and be rebuilt OEM specks.