Santa Came Early

[tlarham]

About a month ago, I sent out word via facebook to family and friends that I was looking for Corny kegs to start kegging my beer, in case any of them came across some I could nab for cheap. I didn't hold out much luck.

A week ago I get a call from a friend who was at a scrap yard where someone had just dropped off 18 eek ball lock corny kegs to scrap as they (a restaurant) didn't need them anymore. 3 had been used as target practice, but the guy gave me all 18 for free.

They get delivered today (2 hours and counting), and I find myself seething with anticipation, despite the fact that I know I'm going to have a lot of work cleaning, repairing and replacing parts. Even if I only get 8-10 working kegs out of it, it's a win.

I've never used kegs before -- any tips on breaking them down and repairing? I know I'll need new o-rings and the like.

-- Tallon

 

[Jmac00]

Congrats!!!! great score.....get proper tools to break em down. I use 22mm and 11/16 wrenches for mine as some have the two different size fittings...the box end is great for the gas fittings that need the 12pt ends/or sockets. other than that....i clean em up good with some oxyclean first...soak for a day or so, then repeat if necessary...new o-rings, sanitize, pressure test, then use. Cheers.

 

[Hammy71]

Let me be the first to start the "I hate you" part of the thread....


Great score!!! Except for the ones used for target practice....they all should be able to be made usable.

 

[Mad_Milo]

I read the Bodensatz Brewing page and keg section more than a few times when I was gifted my first 2 kegs and co2 tank.

Soda Keg Maintenance
General info and breakdown

 

[Mad_Milo]

Be sure to scavenge parts from those unusable and mark brand, style, etc. for future use. It's nice to have an arsenal of identified parts for those "oh crap" moments during those late kegging sessions.

 

[CodeRage]

Nice score

 

[Lefty]

That is way too many kegs for one brewer. Send over 1/2 of them and all will be well with the world once again.

 

[Baja_Brewer]

My best suggestion is to break them down one at a time, that way you dont have to worry about having mixed up the parts! It takes a little longer, but you won't end up with one extra something or other wondering which one it goes to.

 

[tlarham]

Got them in today -- they're very cruddy, but were still holding pressure.

The big surprise was that the kegs are pin lock, not ball lock. I know I'll need to figure out a way to break them down. If I'm careful can I remove the posts with a wrench still? I'm going to experiment on a shotgun victim keg.

Some of them have syrup in them still. Yum.

Soaking and cleaning starts tonight!

Pics to follow.

-- Tallon

P.S. How do you release the pressure on a keg with no bleed valve (or a valve that is without a pulling tab). I used a bamboo skewer to push in the gas line (actually hit the soda line first and got a faceful of old syrup. Double yum.) to get lids off. It works...but is there a more kosher method?

EDIT: I was able to use channel locks to get the posts out without much hassle (I was very careful). But a socket will be in order soonish. Goal for the evening: Completely clean one keg.

 

[Dwain]

Get a gas fitting (2 pin) fitting to release the pressure. Make sure it is pointing in a safe direction! Take a cheap deep well socket that will fit over the post, I use a 13/16” because I got it real cheap at one of those pawn shops that have the big bins of sockets. Put it on the 2 pin fitting and mark where the 2 pins are. Turn a thin grinding wheel on edge and grind a groove about 3/8" deep in the walls of the socket. Put the socket on the post and you should be able to remove the fitting. You can use this same socket to mark/cut/remove the 3 pin fitting. I use a 3/8" breaker bar the first time I break one loose. From then on, I bottom out the fitting and then snug it good. Final note, this is a home made tool. Make sure you inspect it before each use. I have one that I welded a large tee handle hex key into. I have had it for about 25 years with no problems. Luck - Dwain

 

[tlarham]

Turn a thin grinding wheel on edge and grind a groove about 3/8" deep in the walls of the socket. Put the socket on the post and you should be able to remove the fitting.

Do they make grinding wheels as a drill attachment or do I need an angle grinder?

 

[Dwain]

They make an arbor for drills and you can get some thin cutting wheels. Probably both from Harbor Freight. You can use the cutting wheels made for a die grinder. But, this could be a time to add to the tool collection. The grinders from Harbor Freight are cheap. Yeah, they're not great quality but if you don't already have one, you must not need one very often. - Dwain

 

[CodeRage]

Now I am not advocating HF tools but, I bought an angle grinder from them several years ago. I have used the thing far more frequently than I ever thought I would have. The thing was only $13 bucks too. If I have to buy a new one every 7 years I would be fine with it

 

[MultumInParvo]

I am glad to hear about the nice score. Free is hard to beat. I had to pay for mine!

 

[tlarham]

I've broken down more than half of them -- they are filthy! I've gone through much oxyclean tonight.

They have 2 different types of dip tubes -- bent and straight. The ones with the straight tubes have angles pins in the top -- I didn't realize there was such a thing. They are dented on the bottom, as it looks like they were tossed around once the place stopped using them. Once they are clean I'll get a valve and pressure test them. Here's hoping!

Pic #1: The Kegs!
Pic #2: The Victims!

Thanks for all the advice and such!

-- Tallon

 

[Dwain]

Final note (yeah, right) the oxy cleasn knock off from Wally world works good for me & costs about 1/3. - Dwain

 

[JesseRC]

Gee, if I werer tearing them apart, I would have been replacing orings at the same time. At least on the ones I plan to use. The ones you dont plan on using yet should be cleaned up but dont bother tearing apart. Those orings are impossible to clean and get the soda taste out of. You should order a life time supply from McMaster