Used pressure barrels

[Manngold]

I recently managed to buy a job lot of things from a gum tree ad. Got an absolute bargain (I think), 4 fv, 5 glass demi-jon, heaters, hydrometers, muslin bags, air locks, and two pressure barrels - all for £15!

I just wanted to check a few things about the used pressure barrels before I use them. They are boots pressure barrels, if this makes a difference?

1) I have cleaned them thoroughly, and both appear to be good. Can I replace the taps though as they are a bit stiff?
2) Should I check anything particular before I use them?
3) One has a boots Co2 injector fitted on the top, that appears to use 'cartridges', can I buy replacements of these, or should I buy a new C02 injector?
4) Do I need to do anythign in particular in terms of maintence?
5) They have an 'old home brew' smell to them. Any way to clear this?

I can provide pics if needed this evening. Sorry for so many questions, I am just so chuffed with my bargains!

Thanks

Manngold / John

[Addled Jim]

Thats a great haul for £15!!!
All the rubber washers/seals should be replaced, should only set you back a few pounds, I dug my old barrels out of my parents shed a few years back and lost a brew, learning the hard way!
You could also replace the lids with spares available for king kegs, think they are 4" which are the same as the Boots/Edme (which I have) barrels then add S30 valves which are approx £10 each that way you could then use Hambleton Bard Co2 bottles which will work out cheaper in the long run than the small sparklet bulbs? - Maybe you can add S30's to the existing lids, I don't know?
Taps are standard size too so could be replaced, though mine are quite stiff to turn when the barrels are empty -much easier when they are full, they can be dismantled and soaked/cleaned, maybe try that first?
Good luck

[Manngold]

Thanks Addled Jim.

Any idea where the best place is to buy all those parts that you recommended?

Thanks

[Addled Jim]

Hi
Most homebrew shops stock replacement rubbers/seals & new S30 valves, do you have one local to you maybe? Otherwise everything is available on eBay, I just checked there is everything from replacement rubbers, S30 valves, new 4" CAPS, there is even the new lid with S30 valve for £15 delivered
Why don't you post pictures of your lids so we can have a look, there are a few different types/configurations about, you may not need anything more than new rubbers, or you may be able to modify the existing lids to accommodate an S30 valve?
As for a Hambleton Bard Co2 cylinders I believe you will need to find one locally as I don't think they are not allowed to be sent by post, maybe some couriers do I'm not sure?
AJ

[Manngold]

Hi Addled Jim, sorry for the late reply. These are the barrels I got. It seems that I can remove a washer from the lid to put a new Co2 thingy in.

Here are the images:










Any idea on where I can get the replacements? Thanks pal.

John

[Addled Jim]

eBay is your best bet if you dont have a local homebrew shop, the S30 valves are about £10 each, make sure you get the ones without the pins inside designed for the sparklet Co2 bulbs, taps are about £5. Hambleton Bard Gas cylinders are not accepted by royal mail, so would need to be a shop prepared to send by courier - My only concern would be the hole mighy be bigger on your lids, its hard to tell from the picture?
Of course you could keep the existing gas injection system you have there, its just that the cost of the bulbs will work out more expensive in the long run compared to the Hambleton Bard gas
AJ

[Manngold]

Thanks Addled Jim. I have one little dilemma. I think it is some four inch lids that I need, that is what the measurement is across. However, the ones I think I need wont arrive in time. I have to go away for a few weeks. Can I put in the keg, and put the old lids on top, and then put the new lids on once I am back? Or will that ruin it?

Thank you for helping a newb

[Addled Jim]

Its not really an option swapping the lids, I certainly wouldn't advise it anyway, you will have to buy some sparklet bulbs for the brew you intend kegging soon & change over for the next brew
I've looked at the pictures again now im at home and the hole looks identical to mine so I think you can fit S30's to your lids, I couldnt see properly on PC at work
Do you not have a local shop then?

[Manngold]

No, the south east of London is very poor for home brew. My nearest is over an hour away. So is the s30 the lid, or the valve, or both? Sorry, I am over my head a bit. Always like,a challenge though!

Edit: sorry just read it again, the s30 is the valve. If I do manage to get an s30 valve on the lid, can I then add the co2 at a later date? What would happen if I decided not to use a valve and just reattach the old plug to the lid? One last thing whilst I think about it, do I still need to add priming sugar, or does it force carb ( heard that somewhere before). Thanks

[Addled Jim]

Yes, just buy the valve only for about £10 if it doesnt arrive in time go with what you have, just make sure none of the rubber valves have not perished - the main one between the lid and injector system went brittle on mine
You will need to add priming sugar to the barrel for carbonation to your prefered carbonation level - you cannot force carb in a plastic barrel they are not designed to hold presure to that level

[Manngold]

Hi AJ.

Thanks for all the information. I am hopefully going to be putting into a pressure barrel tomorrow an IPA that have been working on. From reading around, I have some minor concerns, and was wondering if you could possibly shed some light on it all? I didn't manage to get the valves in the end due to other commitments and have been away. I was therefore just going to screw the cap on the top. I have found a rubber plug that fits very snuggly in with the equipment and shows no signs at all of wear and tear. Is it safe to use this in this way, I plan on having it drunk all in one siting in late September anyway. I was planning to put vaseline around the top of cap and screw it on firmly. Does this sound like it will be ok?

Thanks for your help AJ.

[Addled Jim]

Hi,

Yes some light Vaseline around the thread on the lid is recommended. I'm unsure what you mean by rubber bung - are you plugging the hole where the injection system screws into the lid or do you mean a replacement washer to go underneath the injection system?

If you mean you intend using the existing sparklet bulb system, If you are planning drinking it all in one go you should get about half the beer out with the natural carbonation (using 80 - 100g priming sugar) before any additional gas is required, so a pack of 5 Co2 bulbs(Wilkinsons/eBay) should see you through to the end of the barrel - its always possible to slightly unscrew the lid towards the end, allowing a little air in, which will help the remaining beer to dispense. Only undo the lid slightly if you intend finishing drinking it that day, maybe up to a couple of days after before oxidation takes hold

AJ

[Wekslap]

I've also just seen an advert in gumtree in my local area for pressure barrels. five on offer £15 each or £60 the lot. heres a picture.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/home- ... to-content

Are any of these any good brands, presuming in good condition? its along time (20 odd years) since I brewed.

[cumbrianwolf]

With regards to stiff taps I advise you to remove the tap and pop the top cap of the tap so that you disassemble the unit and lube the parts lightly with food grade silicone grease as this aids the smoothness of the tap and silicone repels moisture and most chemicals so it will not leach or taint your beer, word of caution use only one finger to apply it or even a cheap artists brush as this stuff is a bugger to wash off.

[lord.president]

If you'r looking for a Hambleton Bard cylinder,I have one for sale. I'm golfing at Silloth next week,so can deliver.