New to kegging, is rust in posts normal?

boley · Dec 10, 2011

I recently ordered a kegging setup from one of the more reputable vendors referenced here frequently. As I was breaking down the kegs for a good cleaning, I was somewhat disappointed in the condition of these "reconditioned" kegs. While the seals had been replaced, I am a bit dubious of the overall cleaning. Worse though is the rust I found inside 3 out of 4 posts.

Photos below. The posts in the left photo are straight out of the keg - as received. The post in the right photo has soaked over night in oxyclean, soaked in Starsan, and been had a thorough working over with a felt polishing brush on my Dremel. It is not coming any cleaner.

Is the rust normal? Are they ok to use like this?

day_trippr · Dec 10, 2011

Are you sure it's rust? Could just be really old dried up crud...

Cheers!

[edit] btw, what are those two nylon-looking thingies in the foreground of the first pic? Were they under the posts? I have fourteen ball locks from various manufacturers and none of them use anything like those...

boley · Dec 10, 2011

I am almost certain the brown gunk is rust. The single post in the photo (right photo) has soaked at least 24 hours in cleaner and sanitizer. I also attacked it with a nylon brush attachment for my Dremel. I followed that with a thorough attack from two different felt polishing attachments on the Dremel. I then put it back in for a soak in oxyclean, where it currently resides. If not rust, this is world class crud.

The white plastic things were inside the posts, located under the popits. These are my first 2 kegs so I assumed they were normal. Although they were in pretty rough shape.

shelly_belly · Dec 10, 2011

I've been through a bunch of kegs and do find rust a lot of times mostly on or near the threads. A stainless steel wire brush will remove it fairly easily. I have 1 keg that has similar plastic pieces - it's one with a racetrack style lid.

day_trippr · Dec 10, 2011

shelly_belly said:
[...]I have 1 keg that has similar plastic pieces - it's one with a racetrack style lid.

DOH! I had read that before but totally forgot about it.
Thanks for the reminder - maybe it'll stick this time

Cheers!

OldWorld · Dec 10, 2011

I would use a product called bar keepers friend. It's contains a lower concentration of oxalic acid and it will take that stuff right off...Just make a fine powder...Let it soak in a cup with some water and then use a toothbrush to scrub it out...Then neutralize the acid with a baking soda solution and brush it off.

It will be good as new. Replace the plastic bits they should be cheap enough and get some spares.