Plastic 1/6 bbl pub kegs- anyone tried em?

[OntarioBeerKegs]

I remember reading that, wasn't the keg that exploded a different style of plastic keg? Different manufacturer I mean.

It is my understanding it is the PKA (Plastic Kegs America) that are having the issues. Although rated for 60PSI with cold beer. I have a hunch nobody has tested for plastic stress and thermodynamic expansion from the hot water cleaning process.

 

[brant740]

Just something to consider... Looks like Redhook wasn't an isolated incident and has occurred while cleaning the kegs as well.

http://indybeers.com/2012/10/beer-brewers-taking-action-after-more-plastic-kegs-explode/

I'd consider looking at other avenues for stainless. U said u got three for $108. My three ball lock soda corneys were 25 a piece at my LHBS. Ive seen them on craigslist for 35-40 bucks. And everthing from 1/2 to 1/4 to 1/6 at my scrap yard for not much more.

I bought my pub kegs used for $10 each. They are much different from the ones that exploded. The pub kegs have a big soda bottle inside a heavy plastic shell. the thin inner bottle would blow at a much lower psi than outer shell.

I don't use a cip system under pressure like the pros so I don't worry about it

 

[automobiliben]

Another thing to note, if the keg is full the "explosion" is nothing more than a strong leak. If you were to hit it with just air/CO2 pressure than you will have issues.

Hence why tanks get a "hydro" test, much safer if there were problems.

Ben

 

[JuanMoore]

It is my understanding it is the PKA (Plastic Kegs America) that are having the issues. Although rated for 60PSI with cold beer. I have a hunch nobody has tested for plastic stress and thermodynamic expansion from the hot water cleaning process.

Yep. Still doesn't explain why their safety burst discs aren't functioning as they're supposed to though.

 

[OntarioBeerKegs]

Yep. Still doesn't explain why their safety burst discs aren't functioning as they're supposed to though.

My theory is the discs could be working as intended. But the kegs are exploding before 60PSI from the heat stress. Heated polymers are not as strong as a lower temperature sample.

 

[JuanMoore]

My theory is the discs could be working as intended. But the kegs are exploding before 60PSI from the heat stress. Heated polymers are not as strong as a lower temperature sample.

I was talking about the reports of kegs that had been pressurized above the burst disc pressure (90 psi) that neither exploded or had the burst disc activate.

 

[limulus]

...back to the pubkeg: I sent PMs to the two guys here who have purchased these. I have a friend with a commercial system in his basement and I'd like to keg some beer for him. I use ball lock cornies in my keezer not Sanke kegs. Could I use my growler filler and a longer hose to fill one of these after the beer carbs in my cornies? I'd rather not go out and buy a Sanke coupler.

 

[stratslinger]

Seems that would work, though you'd probably lose at least a little carbonation, and go through a decent amount of CO2 in the process.

Why not just rack the flat, finished beer to it and have your friend force carb it on his system?

 

[limulus]

Seems that would work, though you'd probably lose at least a little carbonation, and go through a decent amount of CO2 in the process.

Why not just rack the flat, finished beer to it and have your friend force carb it on his system?

Yeah, I thought about that, but he is not the kind of guy who can do too many things on his own (corporate lawyer). He usually hires someone to do the job for him. Plus, I have made it a mission to consume as much of his beer as possible when I am at one of their parties. So, I'd like to just give him a ready to use keg with my Hog Mountain Logo plastered on it of course. I don't mind buying the kegs if I can fill them. I can get two for less than $100 and rotate them through his system.

 

[nianticcardplayer]

Emailed brews brothers and they advised that they will soon have instructions and such on filling and carbing up

 

[wilserbrewer]

Plus, I have made it a mission to consume as much of his beer as possible when I am at one of their parties. So, I'd like to just give him a ready to use keg with my Hog Mountain Logo plastered on it of course. .

I would suggest buying a sanke d coupler to force carb the kegs. Trying to fill an open keg with carbed beer could get ugly real fast if it starts foaming. Also, you will not have an ability to sample the amount of carbonation left in the finished beer. The $30 for a sanke coupler could save a bunch of heartache and your good reputation as a brewer!

Plus the extra work of transferring the beer from keg to keg to save a couple bucks....Sanke couplers hold their value, so in theory you could sell it someday for very little net cost!

 

[limulus]

I would suggest buying a sanke d coupler to force carb the kegs. Trying to fill an open keg with carbed beer could get ugly real fast if it starts foaming. Also, you will not have an ability to sample the amount of carbonation left in the finished beer. The $30 for a sanke coupler could save a bunch of heartache and your good reputation as a brewer!

Plus the extra work of transferring the beer from keg to keg to save a couple bucks....Sanke couplers hold their value, so in theory you could sell it someday for very little net cost!

yeah, I just bit the bullet and bought it from Homebrew Stuff

 

[limulus]

My pubkeg and Sanke D coupler have arrived. I have 10 gal of Vienna Blonde Ale that has been cold crashing for over 2wks while other things took precedent. I'll put 1/2 in my ball lock corny and 1/2 in the pubkeg for my neighbor.

 

[limulus]

So I was touring Terrapin Brewing in Athens, GA last night and I saw green pubkegs in various areas along with all the other kegs. I didn't think anything about it and then today, I started to sanitize mine for filling and I happened to look up their website. I wanted to see where they were located and got a surprise: Lawrenceville, GA, which is suburban Atlanta. No wonder I'm seeing these things around town.

 

[wilserbrewer]

No wonder I'm seeing these things around town.

I have yet to see one in the Northeast, I'm curious if they are reusing the outer shell, or are they just a one time use?

I'd imagine they work great for homebrew! They are a bit larger diameter than corny kegs or sanke sixtels, so if keezer space is tight, you may fit less units.

If you could source the empties, you could likely sell em for "beer money", but shipping would be a little pricey.

 

[browder]

I'm likin this thread--talked to my son about these kegs last night and put my order in for a few he says the place he cooks at just throw's them in the dumpster--Guess I'll be giving it a try when the weather cools down enough to boil a batch

 

[browder]

I've got two Pubkegs so far can't wait to get beer in these only thing is the flimsy o-ring as stated above--Free is good!

 

[wilserbrewer]

I've got two Pubkegs so far can't wait to get beer in these only thing is the flimsy o-ring as stated above--Free is good!

So your price is an o-ring...haha
Don't really need any more kegs, have quite a few empty all the time but am it hung to try these...maybe the light weight is appealing, sankes weigh a ton...

 

[limulus]

Yeah, the o-rings are flimsy. I bought three extra for my single keg. Mine is full and carbed. I still use ball lock cornies for my keezer, but my neighbor has a regular two tap kegerator. I bought this so I could make him a keg every few months. I think I'm going to buy a second one so I can keep a rotation at his house

 

[DrunkleJon]

My only issue from reading their website is that the dimensions of a 1/6 keg (5.1gal) pubkeg is the same as a standard 1/4 stainless keg. I am interested in buying them, but to do so I will need to make my Keezer bigger. Seems a better deal than buying used potentially leaky cornies though at $55 apiece. Also, I wonder how well they hold up.

I do like that you can see any debris inside them through the container to aid in cleaning.

 

[nianticcardplayer]

I thought they were close to the dimensions of a 1/6 ? Did I read that wrong?

 

[DrunkleJon]

Unless I am looking at the wrong page they say Slim Quarter

http://pubkeg.com/features

 

[brant740]

You could probably leave off the outer shell if you were looking to save space in the keezer.

 

[browder]

You could probably leave off the outer shell if you were looking to save space in the keezer.

No don't think you'd get away with that--if you go to Pubkeg site they show them being filled upside down-they're just big ass soda bottles kinda flimsy
Think Midwest is sellin em for $59.00 and I gotta tell ya ain't no way they're worth that much to me but free is a different story I've been gradually getting set up to keg so these work good for me--I plan on using these and the four ball locks that I have
These aren't as big as the 1/4's I get I'll measure them later today but they're just a bit larger than my cornies
If you ask around somebody will give you some my son talked with his boss and the beer driver-the driver says they don't return them here in Mich. they are recycled

 

[browder]

23 1/4" tall
9 1/4" bottom
11" top

 

[limulus]

They are forty something a home brew stuff. It is basically a large Tap-A-Draft bottle. Once full of beer, I think you could just place them into your keezer/kegerator. You'd have to make sure they don't tip over. That would be easier in a keezer if you have multiple bottles. They do seem to be a little thinner than a Tap-A-Draft bottle. I experience and own all these things now including:
5gal cornies
2.5 gal cornies
TAD
Pubkeg

 

[DudeAbides]

I'm planning on going to kegging soon and seriously considering starting out with these. I'm not seeing anyone selling parts for these, like replacement o-rings?

 

[DrunkleJon]

23 1/4" tall
9 1/4" bottom
11" top

So, they are essentially sixtel size then.

I wonder why they said they were slim 1/4 then? Thanks for the measurements.

 

[browder]

I'm planning on going to kegging soon and seriously considering starting out with these. I'm not seeing anyone selling parts for these, like replacement o-rings?

Doubt you will like I said they're sending used ones to recycle-the outer container is worth as much as the inner bottle--I'd check with a beer driver if you want some or the yard of local beer distributor probably a recycle area full of these things

 

[wilserbrewer]

So, they are essentially sixtel size then.

I wonder why they said they were slim 1/4 then? Thanks for the measurements.

Top dimension is 11", that is slim 1/4. They have a taper from the top lid / cover to the bottom like an HDPE bucket.

Don't thin'k I'll buy any of these, but love to dumpster dive a few....