Old keg usage - leak in keg itself

[chezhed]

Happy New Year to all!

I've been brewing extract on and off for ten years and have some old corneilus kegs. Both have suddenly developed leaks in the tank just after being about 1/4 drained....charged fine and held for two weeks. One of them sprang a lead during the night and the next morning more than a gallon of beer was on the floor in front of the fridge. I found a leak at the bottom of the tank! Then next one sprang a leak yesterday afternoon after I had rearranged the fridge in preparation of installing 3 taps. Went to tap a beer and whoa, small amount of beer in bottom. I reached in and felt this gentle mist and located a pinhole in the tank.

So now I have two kegs that I guess are pretty much worthless except for spare parts....any ideas what to do with them?

Anyone ever seen this happen...the kegs were used when I got them and I"ve gotten about 8 years out of them, probably about 16 batches each. I just got two more, luckily since I have two batches fermenting....and will now be acquiring another.

I used to just call my local homebrew store and run over but now it's too far away so I found this place...and I like it

 

[P-J]

The pinhole leaks are probably caused by the use of bleach in washing the kegs. If the SS is not properly cleaned of ALL the residual Clorine bleach the metal will corrode through over time.

You can fix the leaks if they are in an spot where you can solder. Use Harris Stay-Brite solder and Harris Stay-Clean liquid flux to fix it. The solder can be used with a common propane torch. If the pinholes are in the keg skirt (under the rubber boot) you have another problem as it will be a huge PITA getting to it to solder.

 

[chezhed]

Ahhh...I did clean this with chlorine bleach for years....that must be it. One I can maybe repair, the other is under the boot and history I guess.

Wow...what a great place I have found here. THANKS

 

[JRems]

Yes clorox is a no go. Use star San or iodaphor