Purging Pin-lock keg woes

[RichBenn]

I have two pin lock kegs. On the lid, there is no manual pressure release on the over-pressure valve like on ball locks So the way to release pressure is to push down (with screwdriver or specially made tool) on the gas side post.

The problem with that is that when the keg is full, beer goes everywhere. So I'm wondering for those of you with Pin locks, how do you:
1. Purge the O2 when kegging
2. Reduce the pressure after quick force carbing, i.e. when reducing pressure from 30 psi back to 12 psi.

I have about an inch and a half of tube into the beer on the gas side. Would cutting that down be a solution?

Also, are the oval ball lock lids compatible with the pin lock lids? I suppose that's another solution.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Rich

 

[carrotmalt]

I bought a pin lock keg from my local store and they switched out a ball lock lid for the one that was on it (because I wanted the manual pressure release). I've used it once so far and had no issues with leaks.

 

[kpr121]

Im not sure because I dont have actual pin locks (only pin lock bodies converted to ball lock) but are you are overfilling your keg? I thought that the gas post should be above the beer level.

 

[Duckfoot]

OK... How "full" are the kegs when you are purging them?

I have a bunch of pin-locks with no pressure reliefs on the lids and I haven't had this issue purging with just depressing the gas post poppet... Except when I went to purge when the keg was on it's side... Then again, I had a few when I did that, so I got what I deserved...

Unless your gas posts have long dip tubes, then maybe you are sucking up some beer when purging... Most of my gas tubes are about 1/4" long...

 

[TomSD]

Gas tube shouldn't dip into the beer. When I fill I'm just short of hitting the tube with 5 gallons in.

As for purging... I thought I saw little purge caps you could slip on your gas post to press down the poppet while at the same time shielding you from blow back (directing it to the sides and down)?

 

[samc]

+1 No beer should contact gas post. If you don't have check valves on your gas line you will surely mess up your regulator.

Chopstick makes a handy purge tool for the poppets.

 

[klyph]

Why don't you just get a lid with a pressure relief?

http://www.chicompany.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=89

Also here is the pressure reliefs:
http://www.chicompany.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_163&products_id=1451

 

[RichBenn]

OK... How "full" are the kegs when you are purging them?

I have a bunch of pin-locks with no pressure reliefs on the lids and I haven't had this issue purging with just depressing the gas post poppet... Except when I went to purge when the keg was on it's side... Then again, I had a few when I did that, so I got what I deserved...

Unless your gas posts have long dip tubes, then maybe you are sucking up some beer when purging... Most of my gas tubes are about 1/4" long...

Mine are about 2" long - that's the problem. I thought about cutting them down.

Why don't you just get a lid with a pressure relief?

http://www.chicompany.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=89

Also here is the pressure reliefs:
http://www.chicompany.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_163&products_id=1451

Saw those and have been thinking about it.

As for the tools for depressing the gas poppet, that won't solve the problem. I use a screwdriver, BTW.
So looks like I either cut the gas side dip tube down, make smaller batches, or get a new lid.

 

[Duckfoot]

Cutting the dip tubes isn't that hard... I would suggest a pipe tube cutter for a nice clean cut...

 

[dogtailale]

If those were mine. I would fill with beer, hookup the CO2 put lid in cornie DO NOT cinch it down YET, turn on CO2 let some escape passed the o-ring (air will come out first is lighter than CO2) cinch down, your purged.

 

[RichBenn]

If those were mine. I would fill with beer, hookup the CO2 put lid in cornie DO NOT cinch it down YET, turn on CO2 let some escape passed the o-ring (air will come out first is lighter than CO2) cinch down, your purged.

Hadn't thought of that - good suggestion!