Using Vaseline for keg lube.

[jcs401]

Just got a keg system, changed all the O-rings and lbs is over an hour away and need to keg tonight for the weekend. I have heard if people I using Vaseline, would this be ok if I use a very minor amount, or should I not use any at all??

 

[Yooper]

Just got a keg system, changed all the O-rings and lbs is over an hour away and need to keg tonight for the weekend. I have heard if people I using Vaseline, would this be ok if I use a very minor amount, or should I not use any at all??

I wouldn't use vaseline- that's a petroleum product. Mineral oil would be an OK alternative (keg lube is made from mineral oil, in a food safe jelly).

 

[BigFloyd]

Keg lube is 100% food grade silicone. In a pinch, you can go to Lowes or Home Depot. In the plumbing dept, look for a small plastic container of 100% silicone waterproof grease.

I would not use Vaseline.

 

[bja]

I just spray Star San on the o-rings. Works like a charm.

 

[SpeedYellow]

Consider petrol-gel, which is good for both buna-n and silicone gaskets, thus making it simpler if you use both materials. I know of no reason to avoid petroleum-based food-safe products as long as the product is compatible with the materials you're using it on.

 

[jcs401]

Where can I find it? What would it be called?

 

[SpeedYellow]

I wouldn't use vaseline- that's a petroleum product. Mineral oil would be an OK alternative (keg lube is made from mineral oil, in a food safe jelly).

Mineral oil is also typically a petroleum product, so I struggle to understand this suggestion. But yeah, I would avoid Vaseline too.

 

[SpeedYellow]

Where can I find it? What would it be called?

Here's where I found Petrol-Gel:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Petrol-gel

 

[jcs401]

Sucks I cannot find anything local!! lol

 

[bja]

Sucks I cannot find anything local!! lol

Why do you need it? I've been doing this for 6 years and have never used it.

 

[jcs401]

Oh ok I will give it a shot! Just put new I rings so hope that helps with any leaks. Also I have a pin lock and is one o ring smaller than the other on the gas and liquid out? The liquids out seemed loose when I put the same o ring on as the gas?

 

[masteraviator]

Heck I just use Astroglide!

 

[johngaltsmotor]

I like to live dangerously, I've always used Vaseline. I finally got some keg luge for Christmas this year but for the past 4 years or so I've always used Vaseline on my keg o-rings. I'm not saying it's healthy to consume, but I drink the beer sealed by the o-rings, I don't munch on the o-rings themselves.

You ever kiss a girl with lipstick on? You've ingested petroleum products.
Granted, given the choice between keg lube and Vaseline I'd use keg lube if available. But I'm not going to be the one to tell SWMBO that she can't wear lipstick because it is a petroleum product....

 

[LBussy]

Any store with plumbing supplies (Lowes, Home Depot, Menard's, etc.) will have plumbers stem grease:

This is used to lube o-rings and such in faucets and is food safe.

The problem with petroleum-based products (assuming they are compatible to start with) is they can leech oils and negatively impact head retention - but that's it. Anything that helps you get things sealed up is better than nothing at all, but it's something to keep in mind.

 

[bja]

Heck I just use Astroglide!

Awesome. I had to Google that. I'd never heard of that brand. Does it come in cherry?

 

[Yooper]

Mineral oil is also typically a petroleum product, so I struggle to understand this suggestion. But yeah, I would avoid Vaseline too.

I just meant that vaseline might not be a great choice (not food safe, and might erode the rubber o-ring), but I use mineral oil on my meat grinder parts and it's food safe. The mineral oil I have was actually at the pharmacy as a laxative so I did assume it was safe to ingest.

I do prefer my keg lube, as it seems to be tasteless and odorless and the o-rings are in great shape. But if I was in a pinch, I'd use that mineral oil if I needed some lube.

 

[SpeedYellow]

....

The problem with petroleum-based products (assuming they are compatible to start with) is they can leech oils and negatively impact head retention - but that's it...

Do you have a source for that? Seems to me that silicone could just as easily leech into the beer and affect head retention.

 

[rshortt]

I think keg lube is white petroleum jelly. I use some no-name vaseline which is also white petroleum jelly.

 

[loucurr]

Anyone ever use KY?

 

[seabass07]

Anyone ever use KY?

All the time, but not on kegs.

 

[Nuggethead]

Why do you need it? I've been doing this for 6 years and have never used it.

I just spray Star San on the o-rings. Works like a charm.

Same here, I don't use it either, just wet the O-rings with Star-San. Has worked fine with no problems for years.

 

[day_trippr]

I think keg lube is white petroleum jelly.[...]

It is not.

Cheers!

 

[day_trippr]

Oh ok I will give it a shot! Just put new I rings so hope that helps with any leaks. Also I have a pin lock and is one o ring smaller than the other on the gas and liquid out? The liquids out seemed loose when I put the same o ring on as the gas?

Wrong size o-ring, probably a ball lock post o-ring - which are indeed smaller.
You want real pin lock o-rings - especially on the gas post - to fit the disconnects properly. With the proper o-rings in place the disconnects will not easily wiggle.

Lots of pin lock users have been burned by using ball lock o-rings, typically by dumping a tank of gas. All it takes is some lateral pressure on the disconnect - like from a hose - and voila - you have a leak...

Cheers!

 

[masteraviator]

Awesome. I had to Google that. I'd never heard of that brand. Does it come in cherry?

Unfortunately, no. But it does come in "Sensual Strawberry".

 

[LBussy]

Do you have a source for that? Seems to me that silicone could just as easily leech into the beer and affect head retention.

Personal experience. I used vaseline in plumbing and noticed an oil sheen on water from that tap. I know any oils will impact head retention (had it happen to some growler bottles I "cleaned" that were not clean enough) so there ya go.

I would imagine silicone could leech in as well if it were not intended for the purposes for which it's being used. I have never seen anything leech out of a sink tap that used the proper stuff - but I am not sure one could see the silicone either.

 

[boscobeans]

Do you have a source for that? Seems to me that silicone could just as easily leech into the beer and affect head retention.

Silicone (plumber's grease) has been used for years in almost every new faucet system purchased, installed or repaired where a lube is needed.

Typically a match head sized glob of it is smeared wherever there are two surfaces that move against each other, from O-rings to the rubber or newer ceramic internal valve parts.

If the typical lifespan of a faucet or valve before it needs repair is in the 10 year range or longer, I would not worry about the amount of silicone leached into my water from a tiny amount of lube. I probably get more everyday in a lot of prepared food than in ten years of drinking water.

bosco

 

[SpeedYellow]

Silicone (plumber's grease) has been used for years in almost every new faucet system purchased, installed or repaired where a lube is needed.

Typically a match head sized glob of it is smeared wherever there are two surfaces that move against each other, from O-rings to the rubber or newer ceramic internal valve parts.

If the typical lifespan of a faucet or valve before it needs repair is in the 10 year range or longer, I would not worry about the amount of silicone leached into my water from a tiny amount of lube. I probably get more everyday in a lot of prepared food than in ten years of drinking water.

bosco

Sure, you can get both petroleum- and silicone-based grease in food safe versions from homebrew suppliers. The issue is more: which may cause problems with head retention? I have no idea what the answer is.

 

[TheZymurgist]

Anyone ever use KY?

Don't need it if you're doing the job right.

 

[GHBWNY]

Not familiar with what is "food-safe" as far as lubes, but I wouldn't think petroleum-based would qualify. It's my understanding that petroleum-based products are not recommended on rubber parts, but are OK on neoprene.

 

[day_trippr]

Don't need it if you're doing the job right.

LOL! ZIIING!

Cheers!