So I've been putting together my keg setup for the past few weeks and here are some noob tips:
1. Always inspect the INSIDE of kegs before purchasing from a private party.
Why? I picked up 4 kegs from a local seller and they looked almost new on the outside. Paid the guy quickly and picked them up and the first thing I noticed -- two had a good amount of liquid inside. Ok no biggie, probably just beer or soda -- go home. Open one up and it's 1/4 filled with some awful, dark, unknown substance. Poured it out and it'll need come hardcore scrubbing to get going. Still not a big deal. Open the second one, it's filled with insect larvae and egg casings along with the vile dark liquid..... after a good gag session, I notice the relief valve was locked in the open position. Guess some nasty critters crawled in through the valve, laid eggs, but the larvae were trapped inside...... If I knew I would have to spend a few hours treating the inside of the two kegs, I sure wouldn't have paid what I did.
2. When leak testing, be sure to test the gas-in port after disconnecting.
I kegged four batches before leaving for the weekend and everything was great -- no leaks -- so I thought. Got home after four days and pulled the relief valve just to make sure they were holding. Three were not pressurized. I gas each keg and retest for leaks and still no answer. After some frustration, I test a keg while not on the gas, and sure enough, all three had tiny leaks from the gas port after removing the gas line quick disconnect. All I had to do was press the valve with my fingernail after removing it and it seated properly.
So now the question -- I primed those kegs with 85% of the sugar required for bottling. So it's been priming for 3-4 days while losing the CO2. Is this something to worry about or should I reprime or force carb?
1. Always inspect the INSIDE of kegs before purchasing from a private party.
Why? I picked up 4 kegs from a local seller and they looked almost new on the outside. Paid the guy quickly and picked them up and the first thing I noticed -- two had a good amount of liquid inside. Ok no biggie, probably just beer or soda -- go home. Open one up and it's 1/4 filled with some awful, dark, unknown substance. Poured it out and it'll need come hardcore scrubbing to get going. Still not a big deal. Open the second one, it's filled with insect larvae and egg casings along with the vile dark liquid..... after a good gag session, I notice the relief valve was locked in the open position. Guess some nasty critters crawled in through the valve, laid eggs, but the larvae were trapped inside...... If I knew I would have to spend a few hours treating the inside of the two kegs, I sure wouldn't have paid what I did.
2. When leak testing, be sure to test the gas-in port after disconnecting.
I kegged four batches before leaving for the weekend and everything was great -- no leaks -- so I thought. Got home after four days and pulled the relief valve just to make sure they were holding. Three were not pressurized. I gas each keg and retest for leaks and still no answer. After some frustration, I test a keg while not on the gas, and sure enough, all three had tiny leaks from the gas port after removing the gas line quick disconnect. All I had to do was press the valve with my fingernail after removing it and it seated properly.
So now the question -- I primed those kegs with 85% of the sugar required for bottling. So it's been priming for 3-4 days while losing the CO2. Is this something to worry about or should I reprime or force carb?
