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Author Topic: Good Deal on New Ball Lock Kegs  (Read 4704 times)

Offline tygo

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Good Deal on New Ball Lock Kegs
« on: January 24, 2013, 08:03:12 pm »
I noticed this listing on ebay today:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kegco-KEG-5GAL-5-Gallon-Ball-Lock-Home-Brew-Strap-Keg-/130840258442?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e76afe78a

That's the best price I've seen to date on new kegs. 

Disclaimer-wise:  I have nothing to do with this listing.  I have bought other kegging equipment from the seller, Beverage Factory, in the past with good results.
Clint
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Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Good Deal on New Ball Lock Kegs
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2013, 12:50:27 am »
Ask for a picture of the inside before you buy - I have some that look really similar on the outside.  The inside is fine except the bottom has a punt like a champagne bottle but the diptube goes to the center, so there is still a cup or so of liquid left in the bottom after the keg kicks.  It's not necessarily a problem, just something to be aware of.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline stadelman

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Re: Good Deal on New Ball Lock Kegs
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2013, 07:32:43 am »
Even cheaper if you buy two and also available at Amazon...
http://www.homebrewfinds.com/2013/01/great-deal-2-new-5-gallon-ball-lock.html

Offline euge

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Re: Good Deal on New Ball Lock Kegs
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2013, 10:45:02 pm »
Ask for a picture of the inside before you buy - I have some that look really similar on the outside.  The inside is fine except the bottom has a punt like a champagne bottle but the diptube goes to the center, so there is still a cup or so of liquid left in the bottom after the keg kicks.  It's not necessarily a problem, just something to be aware of.

As much as 8oz? Even so I would certainly buy- including that bonus punt is a clever feature. Clearly to me these tupe kegs are designed with homebrewers in mind.
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Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Good Deal on New Ball Lock Kegs
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2013, 12:47:33 am »
Ask for a picture of the inside before you buy - I have some that look really similar on the outside.  The inside is fine except the bottom has a punt like a champagne bottle but the diptube goes to the center, so there is still a cup or so of liquid left in the bottom after the keg kicks.  It's not necessarily a problem, just something to be aware of.

As much as 8oz? Even so I would certainly buy- including that bonus punt is a clever feature. Clearly to me these tupe kegs are designed with homebrewers in mind.
I think they make nice fermenters, or if you tend to keg beer before it is totally clear, or if you naturally carbonate in kegs.  I had not measured how much they retain too carefully, so I just did with one empty I have - dumped some water in, pushed it out with CO2 until it was spitting, then measured what was left.  Just over 14 oz.

I agree that they are designed with homebrewers in mind, but it is obvious where cost cutting measures were used and they are just not as nice as cornies.  The handles are uncomfortable when the keg is full, the punt in the middle, which is fine really, but the diptube should go down to the bottom of the edge then, not the center.  Little things like that.  I don't regret buying them, i just think they could be better.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline f0xtr0t

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Re: Good Deal on New Ball Lock Kegs
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2013, 04:35:41 am »
I wonder if you could swap out for a straight dip tube. I have a few cornies with straight dip tubes. Maybe just a simple swap.

Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Good Deal on New Ball Lock Kegs
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2013, 09:42:00 am »
The LHBS had some early examples for evaluation, in addition to Tom's comments, the interior weld surfaces were not to the quality I was used to seeing. Maybe they have gotten better.
Jeff Rankert
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Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Good Deal on New Ball Lock Kegs
« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2013, 12:55:43 pm »
I wonder if you could swap out for a straight dip tube. I have a few cornies with straight dip tubes. Maybe just a simple swap.
I think the easiest fix is to attach a little bit of tubing to the end of the diptube - it would be annoying but cheap.

The inside welds on the ones I have look fine to me, but I'm not an expert.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Good Deal on New Ball Lock Kegs
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2013, 09:23:35 am »
Ask for a picture of the inside before you buy - I have some that look really similar on the outside.  The inside is fine except the bottom has a punt like a champagne bottle but the diptube goes to the center, so there is still a cup or so of liquid left in the bottom after the keg kicks.  It's not necessarily a problem, just something to be aware of.
I guess that might keep your beer clearer though, especially if you move it around. Yeast would settle away from the dip tube.
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Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Good Deal on New Ball Lock Kegs
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2013, 09:25:33 am »
I wonder if you could swap out for a straight dip tube. I have a few cornies with straight dip tubes. Maybe just a simple swap.

Or pull it out and straighten it. Might not get to the bottom, but should be a little lower.
Delmarva United Homebrewers - President by inverse coup - former president ousted himself.
AHA Member since 2006
BJCP Certified: B0958