No More Reconditioned Kegs?

[Crosshatch]

When I first started kegging I picked up a reconditioned soda keg for $35 from my LHBS. A year or so later I got another one for about $45 (damn inflation). But now they don't carry them anymore and a friend of mine told me that it's all new kegs now and that places aren't doing the reconditioned kegs. The new kegs are almost $130. What gives?

I realize I could probably Google some info, but I feel better learning stuff from local home brewers here.

 

[Hammy71]

Old kegs, especially ball lock are becoming hard to find. Most were scrapped for the cash and the ones that were rescued for home-brewing have a finite number. So basically, there aren't many kegs out there to 'recondition'.

 

[nsrooen]

You can still find them, however now they will run you anywhere from $65 to $85 unless you go for pin lock.

 

[Crosshatch]

Ah, I didn't realize they weren't making them any more to recondition. And if they are up to $85 I might as well get a new one and not have to worry about seals, etc.

 

[brew_ny]

check around if you have a soda place in town that sells per mix soda they may have some and will sell to you

my local guy here sold me 19 pinlocks for cheap, one had a pin hole so it is junk but the rest are great

he sells recondition balllocks for 50 dollars

all the best

S_M

 

[pdietert]

As far as reconditioned goes, they are more expensive than the non-reconditioned ones (of course) but plenty of places still sell them.

Adventures in homebrewing has reconditioned, non-reconditioned and b-grade:

Ball Lock Reconditioned - $72.99:
http://www.homebrewing.org/5-Gallon-Cornelius-Keg-Reconditioned-Ball-Lock-_p_963.html

Ball Lock Used (non-reconditioned but tested/repaired to hold pressue) $59.99:
http://www.homebrewing.org/5-Gallon-Cornelius-Keg-Ball-Lock-Used_p_70.html

Pin Lock Used (non-reconditioned but tested/repaired to hold pressue) $34.99:
http://www.homebrewing.org/5-Gallon-Cornelius-Keg-Pin-Lock-Used-Coke_p_842.html

This is the best deal and they are on sale:

Pin Lock Used Loose handle (non-reconditioned but tested/repaired to hold pressue): $24.99
http://www.homebrewing.org/Loose-HandleBottom-5-gallon-Pin-Lock-keg-wLid-_p_3918.html

I have purchased 8 of these. Six of them did not have a loose handle or bottom that I could detect. One had a replacement handle that was not loose and the other had a loose handle that pulled off (but still entirely usable)

They also have really good new ball lock kegs for $99.99
http://www.homebrewing.org/5-Gallon-Ball-Lock-Keg-W-Metal-Handles_p_3430.html

I have the 2.5 and 3 gallon version of these, they are excellent.

Other options:

Reconditioned ball lock race track keg $44.44:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ASIN=B00IU15UU6&linkCode=as2&tag=hombrefin-20

New Ball Lock Keg $79.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ASIN=B005MRVAFK&linkCode=as2&tag=hombrefin-20

Reconditioned Ball Lock Keg $79.99 Shipped:
http://morebeer.com/products/cornelius-keg-gaskets-replaced-ball-lock.html?a_aid=hbf?a_aid=hbf

There are still plenty around, you just have to look and wait for sales.

 

[Crosshatch]

check around if you have a soda place in town that sells per mix soda they may have some and will sell to you

my local guy here sold me 19 pinlocks for cheap, one had a pin hole so it is junk but the rest are great

he sells recondition balllocks for 50 dollars

all the best

S_M

Good to know! Thanks for the info!

 

[Crosshatch]

Thanks for all the links pdietert! Inquiring on here was way better than google.

 

[pdietert]

No problem, you caught me when I am looking for them myself.

 

[brew_ny]

Good to know! Thanks for the info!

hope it helps, the guy here sells 20 pound CO2 tanks that have a plastic bottom on them that no one will hydro and are out of date for 25 dollars

but you can run them around the corner to the gas place and exchange then for an in date full one for 20 dollars, so for 45 dollars you have a full up to date steel 20 pound CO2 tank

I picked up my pinlocks for so cheap I should have had a mask and a gun

always good to shop around

good luck

S_M

 

[pdietert]

Here is another good deal:

Ball Lock - NEW 5 Gallon - Class 2 - $67.95
https://bvrgelements.com/product/Ball-Lock-NEW-5-Gallon-Class-2/

 

[MEPNew2Brew]

My two cents -

I am new to kegging and just picked up 4 pin locks from Adventures in Homebrewing for $140. Only +$17 or so to ship. All look pretty decent and all still had pressure when I received them. If I ultimately regret going with the pin locks (which I doubt), I can buy kits to switch the posts for something less than $15 per set.

For the price differential, I didn't see why I should go with ball locks.

 

[brew_ny]

For the price differential, I didn't see why I should go with ball locks.

neither do I I have 18 pin locks and they work for me

 

[lukebeulah]

Keep an eye on craigslist. You can find them for $50 or higher but run across a deal every now and then. I picked up 3 for $90 just the other day. They needed soaked in PBW, broken down and new o-rings put in. Always make sure you do that and then they are good for as long as you need them.


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

 

[paperairplane]

People have this pin lock bias. They work great, they're cheaper, they're more available. I have 15.

 

[Crosshatch]

I currently have just two reconditioned ball lock kegs. I am not familiar with the pin lock. I will need to research the differences. Thanks for all the suggestions though!

 

[k1ngl1ves]

As long as they keep making new kegs, there will always be reconditioned kegs down the road...

 

[N3Bruce]

As long as they keep making new kegs, there will always be reconditioned kegs down the road...

The Cornelius kegs were the mainstay of the soda fountain industry for decades, with the kegs holding the syrup which was mixed with water at the dispenser. Nowadays they use disposable plastic bladders for the same purpose, so the old kegs are surplus.

 

[bracconiere]

The Cornelius kegs were the mainstay of the soda fountain industry for decades, with the kegs holding the syrup which was mixed with water at the dispenser. Nowadays they use disposable plastic bladders for the same purpose, so the old kegs are surplus.

true, true. it's probably even harder to find reconditioned cornies then it was 7 years ago, now..

 

[N3Bruce]

That all being said, I saw an ad on the Washington DC Craigslist yesterday where they were selling used cornies for like $12 each. I already have 5 kegs, but in case someone else in the region is looking. Here is the link: Used 5 gallon Kegs - general for sale - by owner