Easy Keg 5L

[Hops_and_Dreams]

It's a bit confusing, because this review states that no C02 is required??

http://themantimes.com/2015/01/17/klarstein-draft-beer-tap-dispenser-beer-pump-system-review/

Perhaps it can work with or without?

It's not very clear. If you can adjust the pressure, then it must create pressure somehow.

On the plus side, I was telling the old man about them and he was wondering what to get me for xmas and so offered to get it for me. Just waiting on their reply before I gladly accept!

 

[Hops_and_Dreams]

You wouldn't need to with the party star tap - with Co2, your beer will last ages if you top up the CO2 in short bursts after pouring pint or 2 (no need to use the whole bulb in one go).

I was making the point that if you use a mini keg without the party star tap and just use the air bung and integrated keg tap (like the ones in tescos etc) then you do need to drink them in 2-3 days really - or in one evening at a party with friends.

Thanks. I see that Leyland Home Brew do this if I go with the dispenser jobbie rather than the party star. Guess you just plug it in if/when you want to store it?

 

[Leon103]

Thanks. I see that Leyland Home Brew do this if I go with the dispenser jobbie rather than the party star. Guess you just plug it in if/when you want to store it?

Depend if it's the same Bung. From what I have read on those dispensers they don't use co2. Only the gas that is in the keg from priming. If there were co2 it would last longer than 7 daya

 

[Hops_and_Dreams]

Depend if it's the same Bung. From what I have read on those dispensers they don't use co2. Only the gas that is in the keg from priming. If there were co2 it would last longer than 7 daya

I meant take the keg out of the dispenser to store it if needs be.

I've decided on the party star deluxe in the end with a cooling jacket as it seems to be proven and will be easier to store.

The lack of reviews for the other one put me off.

 

[Hops_and_Dreams]

Would someone be kind enough to shed some light on a couple of things please:

How much head space do you safely need to leave? I'm guessing about an inch? Do you fill to the top, then draw some from the tap or is it easy to see the level of the beer?

Do they take longer to condition than bottles?

Do they dry out easily after you've rinsed them out?

Why do the supermarket kegs have such a short shelf life, when we are essentially doing the same thing? Are they being over cautious?

I'm quite looking forward to being able to pour a pint, it's never quite the same out of a bottle.

 

[stevej]

Would someone be kind enough to shed some light on a couple of things please:

How much head space do you safely need to leave? I'm guessing about an inch? Do you fill to the top, then draw some from the tap or is it easy to see the level of the beer?

Do they take longer to condition than bottles?

Do they dry out easily after you've rinsed them out?

Why do the supermarket kegs have such a short shelf life, when we are essentially doing the same thing? Are they being over cautious?

I'm quite looking forward to being able to pour a pint, it's never quite the same out of a bottle.

Yes around 1 " from the top

No longer than bottles

Yes after a good shake

Supermarket type kegs allow air in so this will oxidise any ale/beer, unlike the party style that allow co2 injection to protect the ale and add pressure

 

[Hops_and_Dreams]

Yes around 1 " from the top

No longer than bottles

Yes after a good shake

Supermarket type kegs allow air in so this will oxidise any ale/beer, unlike the party style that allow co2 injection to protect the ale and add pressure

Thanks Steve.

I was talking about before you open them - I got an Adnams one at the weekend and it has about a month on the use by date.

 

[stevej]

Thanks Steve.

I was talking about before you open them - I got an Adnams one at the weekend and it has about a month on the use by date.

Sorry Hops that will teach me to read the whole thread

 

[Hops_and_Dreams]

Sorry Hops that will teach me to read the whole thread

No need for apologies! I guess I was just making sure that our beer will last a lot longer in the kegs if I buy a load and fill them up!

 

[rodabod]

I was talking about before you open them - I got an Adnams one at the weekend and it has about a month on the use by date.

End of line maybe.

 

[Spapro]

How much head space do you safely need to leave? I'm guessing about an inch? Do you fill to the top, then draw some from the tap or is it easy to see the level of the beer?

Do they take longer to condition than bottles?

Do they dry out easily after you've rinsed them out?

Why do the supermarket kegs have such a short shelf life, when we are essentially doing the same thing? Are they being over cautious?

I fill 5 litres on mine using the gauge on the side of the FV - ie. 23l down to 18l and it does leave about an inch of head space. Seen a youtube video of a guy filling his and he stood the minikeg on a set of bathroom scales and fille based on weight. A good way to do it as its not so easy to see the level of the beer in the keg until it has reached near the top. Fill one carefully to the right level, weigh it and then you know how much a 'filled to the right level' keg should weigh. then fill future kegs to that weight using the scales. (I am filling a mini-keg, or 2, then bottling the rest).

Shouldn't take longer to condition than bottles don't think.

Drying out is an issue I think, probably best to clean out a used one, pop some starsan in and shake around then leave the starsan in until ready to re-fill. Obviously empty the starsan out and maybe a quick rinse out with tap water before refilling (I know starsan is no rinse but can't get my head aorund leaving the foam in and popping beer in on top).

I've seen supermarket kegs with 9 months left on them

 

[Hops_and_Dreams]

Thanks for your replies chaps.

I think the short date may just apply to Adnams ones then, I've only ever bought theirs, but they always only have a month or so BBE.

 

[houndeye]

hi.i read somewhere that you need 0.3g per ltr to prime a 5ltr keg.so I take it that's 1.5g per keg?.i want to put some lager in 1 see what its like

 

[GlentoranMark]

I'm struggling dismantling this, I got the top part off no problems but I'm now unsure whether I should be pushing the middle bit into the keg or taking the whole out as I watched on another video. I'm using force atm but not too much, I don't want to render the mini keg useless.

Any help?

I posted this a few days ago, rather than point you to that post here is the info again:

To remove the top bung:
1. pull the red twist bit off just by pulling it upwards
2. use the handle end of a spoon to push the red inner piece into the minikeg
3. remove the black rubber bung just by prizing it up - mine came up and off without the need to use a tool of any kind.
4. pop some water into the mini keg and empty out to retrieve the red piece you pushed into the keg in step 2.

The top bung assembly can be re-assembled for re-use as long as you haven't damaged anything getting it out !

rinse out well with warm water, including the tap at the bottom, then store with some starsan solution in until you ready to refil.

 

[houndeye]

hi.i think you push the middle bit into the keg then take the rest out.then the middle bit will come out when you rinse keg out

 

[brumbrew]

Yes pull the loop off. Don't worry your not breaking it. Then push the middle part into the keg. This allows you to squash the rubber into an oval to remove it. No tools required. If your using a lot of force try pouring boiling water on the rubber to soften it.

 

[Bevvied]

The hobgoblin ones are different. They aren't reusable I'm afraid.
They need a good old fashioned demolishing to remove.
Just be careful not to warp the top of the keg when you're getting it out.

Sorry, meant to say, the vent plugs aren't reusable, the keg obviously is.

 

[Spapro]

The hobgoblin ones are different. They aren't reusable I'm afraid.
They need a good old fashioned demolishing to remove.
Just be careful not to warp the top of the keg when you're getting it out.

Sorry, meant to say, the vent plugs aren't reusable, the keg obviously is.

Yes, that top bung on hobgoblin in the photo looks very different to the re-usable one on the Old Speckled Hen I have just re-filled.

The colours are round the other way - the OSH one has a black rubber bung and a red central twister (same as the re-usable ones supplied by Leyland Home Brew with my minikeg kit).

 

[GlentoranMark]

Thanks for the answers guys, I knew it should have been easier so Bevvied is probably correct (still haven't got it out yet). I'm not going to use these (I've 2) until next weekend so I'll order spare bungs/ vents.

 

[rodabod]

hi.i read somewhere that you need 0.3g per ltr to prime a 5ltr keg.so I take it that's 1.5g per keg?.i want to put some lager in 1 see what its like

I added 12g sugar per 5L keg. That will give you 1.5 volumes of CO2 (more like a british cask ale).