Budget Keg Quality Control

[stupid_squaddy]

I have recently bought another budget keg and compared to one bought 6 months prior this takes the word "Budget" to seriously new lows. Not only does the moulding and body itself seem of a much lower quality the keg itself when fully under pressure expands to the point that it falls over ( I have tried different lids so its not the pressure release). Anyone else found this recently or have I just had a dud ( It was the best on visual inspection at the shop)?

[techtone]

I have heard of quite a few kegs where (in my words) the "bottom has popped out" causing it to fall over. Most of these appear to have been purchased in recent months. Does this sound like what has happened to you? If so, how have you been able to test different caps - have you been able to get it back to "normal"? Do you know what the fg was before kegging?

[StrangeBrew]

I've had this problem before and it's what made me change over to Cornelius kegs. More expense initially but more control definitely!

[Ditch]

So; After about half a century of sterling service, Basic Kegs are proving crappers, on a seemingly national scale?

Sounds like a job for one of our moles here. Someone able to burrow back and find out where these 'new' kegs are actually being manufactured. And I'm not talking about any names, plastered, or even moulded onto them. I'm asking which Country they're being produced in.

Ye Know what I'm saying

[techtone]

So; After about half a century of sterling service, Basic Kegs are proving crappers, on a seemingly national scale?

Sounds like a job for one of our moles here. Someone able to burrow back and find out where these 'new' kegs are actually being manufactured. And I'm not talking about any names, plastered, or even moulded onto them. I'm asking which Country they're being produced in.

Ye Know what I'm saying

All 3 of my budget kegs (2009 bought) get what I call bulging bottoms where the keg can raise off its' little plastic feet, when there is good pressure. I just assumed this was normal. (It is a good way to judge the pressure) Have yet to have one get to the point where it will fall over though. I would be interested to know if this has always happened with these kegs - I get some funny looks when I talk about "bulging bottoms"

[Ditch]

All 3 of my budget kegs (2009 bought) get what I call bulging bottoms where the keg can raise off its' little plastic feet, when there is good pressure. I just assumed this was normal.

Naah. In my experience, Tone? That's madness. These BK's should do what they say on the can ( ) They are ~ Should Be ~ made of such materials and process that they happily take normal pressured, and simply sit there.

That said; If it doesn't bother ye? Perhaps not to bother about it then? Only it still sounds dodgy, to me. I'd hate to think of a keg with slightly thinner, weaker plastic being used. Start cutting such corners and what next? Seams, I'd imagine.

BK full of ye finest, Bursting at the seams ....?

Suitable case for investigation.

[Lillywhite]

The budget kegs supplied by Youngs Homebrew are made by the same firm that makes King Kegs. Whether they're made at their works in Blackburn may be entirely another matter.

http://www.weltonhurst.co.uk/

[Lillywhite]

If your Budget Keg bulges it's because the pressure release valve has failed. Assuming you have an S30 valve, chances are it's the port that is blocked, probably due to poor machining.

Chris, I have three S30 valves and I've noticed that all my barrels when they get to full pressure seem to bulge very slightly at the bottom around the centre recessed dimple and then the barrel doesn't sit on the three moulded feet. It's not a problem as far as I'm concerned as I consider all these budget barrels hold pressure far better than the dreaded King Kegs and I prefer the budgets and will continue to use.

I think the quality of moulding and thickness of plastic around around the base isn't up to the quality of the KK's but, hey ho, for less than £18 we can't really complain.

[techtone]

Chris, I have three S30 valves and I've noticed that all my barrels when they get to full pressure seem to bulge very slightly at the bottom around the centre recessed dimple and then the barrel doesn't sit on the three moulded feet.

Have yours got 3 moulded feet? Mine have 4

[techtone]

In my experience, Tone? That's madness. These BK's should do what they say on the can ( ) They are ~ Should Be ~ made of such materials and process that they happily take normal pressured, and simply sit there.

That said; If it doesn't bother ye? Perhaps not to bother about it then? Only it still sounds dodgy, to me. I'd hate to think of a keg with slightly thinner, weaker plastic being used. Start cutting such corners and what next? Seams, I'd imagine.

BK full of ye finest, Bursting at the seams ....?

Suitable case for investigation.

Yes, It doesn't bother me. I'm just like you, wondering if they have been made thinner. I just wonder if people don't notice, because they have no need to look underneath the keg. In my case they remain stable but just lifted off the feet.

[techtone]

If your Budget Keg bulges it's because the pressure release valve has failed. Assuming you have an S30 valve, chances are it's the port that is blocked, probably due to poor machining.

My advice would be to try and get the valve changed by the homebrew shop and complain directly to Youngs. The basic construction of the budget barrel itself is still pretty sound from what i've seen and they are study enough to be popular among local cider makers who sell their cider in these barrels and have a deposit system on them which is returned when the the barrel is returned.

Even budget barrels produced 10 years ago would bulge out if the pressure relief valve failed as would the Hambleton Bard barrels which cost twice the price.

I use the 8g bulbs and have three kegs/caps and they all bulge. If I squeeze the pressure release band, I can hear gas being released.

[Lillywhite]

Have yours got 3 moulded feet? Mine have 4

Yes, four. They're all 4-5mm off the floor.

Not a problem, but seems to indicate that the plastic may be thinner here. As long as the keg doesn't turn into a weeble then all should be well.

[stupid_squaddy]

Sorry to not respond been away. I tried multiple lids with mine and all same result. I think that the plastic on the dodgy one appears much much thinner and may be the problem.