Backstory:
I want to get into Kombucha and maybe some brewing, but the wife has gotten used to having the beer fridge for drinks and other stuff. I ordered a few 2.5 gallon kegs from Beverage Elements as those would allow me to keep a shelf in my fridge for other stuff (the 5 gallons i have are too tall). I have about six 5 gallon corneys which are a mix of "new" and old soda kegs.
When i got the new 2.5 gallon kegs, I did what I always do which is disassemble them and clean all the parts, sanitize and pressure test.
Keg 1 and 2 = Dip tube was too long, they screwed the post down compressing the tube against the bottom of the keg which caused the gasket to get pinched/mangled.
Keg 3 = Dip tube was twisted and bent inside the keg (probably also too long) and i can't get it to come out without damaging the keg further.
Keg 4 = No issues, holding pressure fine.
I emailed BeverageElements and to their credit they emailed me back quickly... but they chastised me for disassembling the kegs saying removal of the posts can damage the kegs and void my warranty. Admittedly i didn't read the leaflet they sent which was labeled "how to set up a keg system"... but is this normal? I disassemble my kegs every time i turn them around for a new brew... how else would you get the random hop leaf or other spluge out of the dip tube or clean the orings etc...? Seems a bit absurd that basic maintenance would "damage the keg" and "Void the warranty". They were clearly assembled with ill fitting components. Here is the email from BeverageElements: Am i wrong here?
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Good morning,
Per the attached insert included with your shipment as well as the keg information located on our website, disassembly of kegs for cleaning is not only unnecessary, but it can also cause damage and void your warranty. Keg Information | Beverage Elements
I’ve sent a prepaid label for return of the damaged keg. We will inspect it upon receipt and send a new keg replacement for you. But please avoid disassembly of the posts and review the information provided as this will help you have a better keg experience.
Thank you so much!
New Keg Cleaning and Removal of Posts
New kegs should be cleaned before use. You don’t need to disassemble your new keg to clean it. All our kegs are built to food-safe NSF standards. They should be cleaned by you when you get them, but disassembly isn’t required.
Clean your keg by running sanitizer through it exactly as you would to dispense beer. Rinse thoroughly after using sanitizer – you don’t want to drink that.
If you do decide to disassemble your kegs, remember that disassembly of new kegs (including the removal of posts) can cause damage to the keg and may void your warranty, so take them apart at your own risk (and we can’t accept a return on them if you do).
If you choose to disassemble, remember the following:
Sincerely,
I want to get into Kombucha and maybe some brewing, but the wife has gotten used to having the beer fridge for drinks and other stuff. I ordered a few 2.5 gallon kegs from Beverage Elements as those would allow me to keep a shelf in my fridge for other stuff (the 5 gallons i have are too tall). I have about six 5 gallon corneys which are a mix of "new" and old soda kegs.
When i got the new 2.5 gallon kegs, I did what I always do which is disassemble them and clean all the parts, sanitize and pressure test.
Keg 1 and 2 = Dip tube was too long, they screwed the post down compressing the tube against the bottom of the keg which caused the gasket to get pinched/mangled.
Keg 3 = Dip tube was twisted and bent inside the keg (probably also too long) and i can't get it to come out without damaging the keg further.
Keg 4 = No issues, holding pressure fine.
I emailed BeverageElements and to their credit they emailed me back quickly... but they chastised me for disassembling the kegs saying removal of the posts can damage the kegs and void my warranty. Admittedly i didn't read the leaflet they sent which was labeled "how to set up a keg system"... but is this normal? I disassemble my kegs every time i turn them around for a new brew... how else would you get the random hop leaf or other spluge out of the dip tube or clean the orings etc...? Seems a bit absurd that basic maintenance would "damage the keg" and "Void the warranty". They were clearly assembled with ill fitting components. Here is the email from BeverageElements: Am i wrong here?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good morning,
Per the attached insert included with your shipment as well as the keg information located on our website, disassembly of kegs for cleaning is not only unnecessary, but it can also cause damage and void your warranty. Keg Information | Beverage Elements
I’ve sent a prepaid label for return of the damaged keg. We will inspect it upon receipt and send a new keg replacement for you. But please avoid disassembly of the posts and review the information provided as this will help you have a better keg experience.
Thank you so much!
New Keg Cleaning and Removal of Posts
New kegs should be cleaned before use. You don’t need to disassemble your new keg to clean it. All our kegs are built to food-safe NSF standards. They should be cleaned by you when you get them, but disassembly isn’t required.
Clean your keg by running sanitizer through it exactly as you would to dispense beer. Rinse thoroughly after using sanitizer – you don’t want to drink that.
If you do decide to disassemble your kegs, remember that disassembly of new kegs (including the removal of posts) can cause damage to the keg and may void your warranty, so take them apart at your own risk (and we can’t accept a return on them if you do).
If you choose to disassemble, remember the following:
- DO NOT use power tools to unscrew keg posts and use caution when removing them, as stainless steel can gall.
- Removal of posts by any method can cause the stainless steel to gall, effectively seizing the post to the keg. Posts must be removed slowly and if tension is felt they should be screwed back on before backing off again.
- Since the posts are designed with an O-ring seal little tension is required to reseal the connection on reassembly.
- Removal of a post may void your warranty.
Sincerely,
