Pin or Ball Lock

[user 62649]

Corny kegs pin or ball locks?

I am getting into kegging and I am not too sure if pin or ball locks are the better choice. Thought, comments, advice?

Let me know.

 

[BigFloyd]

Pin locks are cheaper to buy than ball locks, but I chose ball lock for a couple of reasons.

1) I like having a pressure release valve in the lid for purging air (using CO2) after racking the beer into the keg. You can add this to a pin lock keg, but it brings the cost up to about that of a ball lock (or more).

2) All of the keggers I know around here use ball lock. That comes in handy if you are splitting an order (which I've done twice). It's also nice if any of us need to borrow/lend connectors and such to each other.

I figure the few extra bucks I paid per keg (I now have 6) for ball lock is pretty insignificant compared to the money I've spent on setting up a 3-faucet keezer and having two temp-controlled fermenting/lagering chambers.

This is the best deal I know of right now on ball lock kegs - http://www.homebrewing.org/Set-of-Four-5-Gallon-Ball-Lock-Kegs_p_1549.html. I just got an order of four (that I split with a brew buddy) delivered yesterday. Their shipping was very reasonable ($25 to Texas for all four kegs) and the kegs are the best used ones I've ever received.

 

[Yooper]

A few years ago, ball locks were more common (and cheaper as a result), so many people got them. After they became more scarce, people started buying up pinlocks.

It doesn't really matter which you choose, as they are basically the same. One is a bit taller and thinner, but otherwise they are essentially the same.

The connections are the only difference. Since I bought four ball locks initially, all of my equipment is set up for ball locks. I could buy some pinlock equipment, and have both setups, but that's more of a pain to me than it's worth. So, whatever you choose, choose what's cheapest and most convenient and plan on sticking with it. It really doesn't matter which style really.

 

[processhead]

5 gallon ball lock kegs are taller and thinner than 5 gallon pin lock kegs.

For me it means the difference between fitting two pin locks kegs or three ball lock kegs in my kegerator.

For the most part though, either will do the job.

 

[sniperd]

I agree with big floyd, I went ball lock as well and mostly for the pressure relief valve. One more point to consider is the size of your fridge. For mine I can exactly fit 6 ball lock kegs in it (like a six pack), but if I went pin I could only do 5. Normally I only have 4 beers on tap bit it's nice to put another one in 'on deck' or throw some bottles in there.

I would not recommend mixing keg types. I can't tell you how many times I've been in a.. "What is that hissing sound...." and having to take parts from an empty keg to fix a newly filled keg. Or when you are buying spare parts (and you will) you only need 1 kind of quick disconnect, etc. If I got a pin lock keg for free I would try and trade it for a ball since that's what my other 10 kegs are.

Some people will talk about what your local supply is like and to go with that. My local supply is the internet, just about the same price as my local home brew shops.

I see the main advantage of pin is the price or if you need shorter/fatter kegs to fit. You can retro fit the air release to make them like ball lock but then they cost about the same it seems. So I have to give the edge to ball locks.

Probably the most important thing is to buy from a place that cleans, pressure tests and backs their product. I've had good luck with both of these places:

http://www.bvrgelements.com/
http://stores.kegconnection.com/

Good luck and happy brewing. Once you get kegging give your bottling gear a rude gesture for me!

 

[Mtn_Brewer]

I use pinlocks for soda and ball locks for beer, so I never screw up and get a root beer flavored lager. After using both styles, I definitely prefer the ball locks. The taller and thinner kegs and ability to manually purge are the biggest reasons. They have keg conversion kits for the attachments and I've seen people drill into the lids and install manual purge valves, so it's possible to get a hybrid short and fat ball valve keg, if that fits your system better.

I have used both of these sites with good results:
http://www.cornykeg.com/store.asp?pid=29554&catid=19985
Http://www.kegconnection.com


Another thing to keep in mind is that they are still making ball valve kegs but I haven't heard they are making new pinlock kegs, so parts could be hard to come by in the future.

 

[dcbc]

The first keg I bought was a pin lock because they were out of ball locks. Haven't looked back. All my lines have flared fittings. So it's no big deal to swap out fittings. I have keg fermenters that are ball lock and have lots of fittings on hand. I can get two pin locks in a typical homemade 4.x cf keg fridge, just.

 

[user 62649]

OK well I am going to go and pick up 4 pin locks with relief valves next week from a more local supplier I found on the internet. I am planning on "donating" all my bottles (20 cases) to my father-in-law for his use now including the plastic cases. I also found certified 5# steel Co2 tanks locally for under $10 empty and a good place to get them filled for free :rockin: I may get two just to have around. Also I have found and old 1950's handle fridge that will fit all 4 including the Co2 tank inside if I want and still have room for 2 more cases So I think I will be set. The refrigerator is what my dad had his keg in forever until we moved and then that had to hit the street. Now I found one and it is in great shape and working condition. I have a graphic artist that is going to paint it like a mug of beer half empty (pics when this gets done will be posted). Now all of this is something to add to the "stuff" in the basement.

Thanks for all your replies and I am always looking to brew the unique beer that pushes a little further than it should.