King Keg Top Tap problem
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King Keg Top Tap problem
I recently purchased a top tap King Keg. I've noticed that the floaty thing doesn't float, it just sinks into the brew. Any suggestions?
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SteveD
Last brew, the float came away from the body and the whole lot sank into the murk. I think the system is shite. I suspect it's fallen off with this current brew. 
I much preferred the old flat rectangular float. Never had a problem with those. A spare steel weight makes a good sinker for a dry hop muslin too 
I much preferred the old flat rectangular float. Never had a problem with those. A spare steel weight makes a good sinker for a dry hop muslin too -
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I've checked the system and have found absolutely no cracks. I tested it with water in the barrel a minute ago to see if it floats, and it still sinks. This pile of poo is going back to the shop. I'll stick to my budget barrels and corny in futureAndy wrote:Have you got the clear plastic cylinder which plugs into the white float ? The cylinder is the bit which keeps the whole thing afloat as it's supposed to retain the air in it. If they crack a bit then air can escape and the float doesn't
Thanks for your help guys.
SuBsUb
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prodigal2
I think this may be relevant from the HopshopUK's website relating to the King Keg:
It always says a lot when a vendor will say publicly that a product sucks and they wont sell them on. I have noticed on other sites that they are out of stock of king kegs, so I suspect the better HBS are making a stand, or hopefuly the manufacture is making a revision(we live in hope).
(their block caps)Hop Shop Uk wrote:"DUE TO THE POOR QUALITY OF THE KING KEG BARRELS CURRENTLY BEING SUPPLIED WE HAVE TAKEN THE DECISION THAT, ALTHOUGH WE HOLD STOCKS, IT WOULD NOT BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF ANYONE FOR US TO DISTRIBUTE THEM. WE WILL NOT DO SO UNTIL WE RECEIVE NEW STOCKS OF GREATLY IMPROVED QUALITY WHICH HOLD PRESSURE AND ARE FIT FOR PURPOSE."
It always says a lot when a vendor will say publicly that a product sucks and they wont sell them on. I have noticed on other sites that they are out of stock of king kegs, so I suspect the better HBS are making a stand, or hopefuly the manufacture is making a revision(we live in hope).
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SteveD
It looks like a (serious) dip in quality due perhaps to a change of manufacturer. Kingkegs always used to be fine. Danny and Diane at the Farnborough Homebrew Shop were saying before Christmas that they couldn't get any plastic brewing vessels because the manufacturer had gone over to making child car seats. Maybe some alternative source was found, but isn't up to par.
I think they changed the float system to the current one at least 4-5 years back as the last Kingkeg I bought was about then, and had the 'new' rubbish float. My other two have the rectangular white plastic float with steel weight, but they're about 20 years old - and have always worked perfectly. I couldn't understand why they changed it. They also changed the handle to a twin grip as opposed to the single U-shaped handle. The new handles are more comfortable...but now, with beer in, you can't carry it with one hand!
Mind you, what with my back, I've taken to moving full kegs, fermenters, and bolier, on a £5 Ikea castored round metal plant pot mover. "The older I get - The better I was"
I've also got a really old bottom tap Boots pressure barrel, with a 4" cap drilled for an S30 valve, but in dark brown plastic. That works fine too.
I think they changed the float system to the current one at least 4-5 years back as the last Kingkeg I bought was about then, and had the 'new' rubbish float. My other two have the rectangular white plastic float with steel weight, but they're about 20 years old - and have always worked perfectly. I couldn't understand why they changed it. They also changed the handle to a twin grip as opposed to the single U-shaped handle. The new handles are more comfortable...but now, with beer in, you can't carry it with one hand!
Mind you, what with my back, I've taken to moving full kegs, fermenters, and bolier, on a £5 Ikea castored round metal plant pot mover. "The older I get - The better I was"
I've also got a really old bottom tap Boots pressure barrel, with a 4" cap drilled for an S30 valve, but in dark brown plastic. That works fine too.
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PieOPah
I must admit that I like my King Keg. I have only had it a couple of months and so far had 2 brews in it. My second brew is almost out. Had no problems at all with dispensing. The float works perfectly and it has held pressure with no complaints from me. I didn't even need to top up the CO2. Even if I have spoken too soon and need to top up my very next pint, the fact that I have a max of 5 pints left means it has held better than I would have expected.
I don't know if there has been any changes to the design in the last couple of months but I will stick with mine.
The only downside to having the top tap is that I can't fill up my '4 bottle archive' without the pressure. Obviously this is not a problem with the Budget Barrel.
I don't know if there has been any changes to the design in the last couple of months but I will stick with mine.
The only downside to having the top tap is that I can't fill up my '4 bottle archive' without the pressure. Obviously this is not a problem with the Budget Barrel.
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SteveD
Just make sure the pressure is very low, so it just rolls out of the tap. A wee little bit of foam overflow is no bad thing anyway as it will purge the air from the top of the bottlePieOPah wrote: The only downside to having the top tap is that I can't fill up my '4 bottle archive' without the pressure. Obviously this is not a problem with the Budget Barrel.