Cola Corni

[Buzz]

Hi guys, just got my second corni off norm today. It's in much better shape than the last one but, unlike the first, this one absolutely stinks of cola.

I've given it a one hour soak in an un-perfumed oxi-cleaner, rinsed and cleaned with a small sponge. It looks good but still stinks of cola - not as strong but, it's definitely still there.

I'll give it another soak tonight - I'm guessing the oxi-cleaner should get rid of the smell??

[SiHoltye]

Buying a set of new seals, or boiling the existing ones can help. They seem to harbour a lot of the smell. Good old soda crystals removed the smell from the stainless for me.

[Buzz]

Thanks Si, I've just removed the o-ring off the lid and you're right, it stinks worse than the rest. I'll give them a boil and use soda crystals to soak the keg again tonight and see how I get on.

[oblivious]

I second the ides about the new seal that syrup seem to contaminate everything

[scarer]

I had the same thing with a lemonade smell and I ended up with an IPA the smelled and tasted like shandy.

It's definitely the seals. I tried everything to get rid of the smell but no luck only new seals sorted it out from H&G.

At least you've spotted it before you kegged your beer!

[Buzz]

Thanks all and I might take you up on that DaaB if I have no joy. On another point, I've taken off the posts and boiled them but the poppets have become seperated - is this okay?

And, is there a knack to get them back in, or will they just position themselves properly when I screw the posts back on the corni

[PMH0810]

Okay; this is not the first post I've seen about Norm who supplies cornies. Who's Norm?

[Buzz]

Okay; this is not the first post I've seen about Norm who supplies cornies. Who's Norm?

You'll find norm on e-bay - clicky here

[Andy]

He's a chap who I found on Ebay* ages ago, has contacts in the drinks industry and can supply cornies + lots of other brewing gear. Great chap also! He's happy to deal direct (cuts out Ebay charges) and is trusted on here. PM me if you need contact details.


* selling stuff, not "for sale"

[jonnyv]

My last kegged lager turned into shandy on the last few pints - I'm just boiling the seals now and the pan smells like boiling coke

I'll give it ten minutes, if they don't smell any better I'll get some new seals. The lid o-ring seems to be the worst culprit.

My other keg from Norm seemed to clean up really easily - I guess it's just potluck if you get a particularly smelly one

[Andy]

You won't de-coke the lid o-ring in my experience. With all my norm cornies I replace the dip tube rings and lid ring as a matter of course.

[scarer]

My other keg from Norm seemed to clean up really easily - I guess it's just potluck if you get a particularly smelly one

All 5 of mine from Norm smelled of lemonade or coke and I had to replace all the seals, bit miffed 'cos 3 of them were advertised as sanitised and fitted with new seals. To be fair I haven't contacted Norm about it and I'm very happy with the product apart from that, good quality chrome taps.

The IPA will be poured away very shortly, when I need the keg. Waste of a kit but at least it wasn't any of my AG brews.

[jonnyv]

You won't de-coke the lid o-ring in my experience. With all my norm cornies I replace the dip tube rings and lid ring as a matter of course.

You're right. The lid o-ring still smells after two boils - not as bad, but it will need to be replaced. I'm hoping it won't affect the beer this time round and I'll replace it on the next brew.

3 of them were advertised as sanitised and fitted with new seals

Most of Norm's kegs seem to be advertised like this - all credit to him, they do pressurize fine so the seals do work, they're just smelly. They're still cheap though, even after you replace the seals.

[delboy]

Yeah, there is no removing the syrup smell/taste from the o-rings, you just have to bite the bullet and replace them, a good idea anyway to ensure a good seal.