KEG HELP NEEDED

[tony twist]

hi i am new to home brewing and just got 2 FRANKE kegs from ebay please can anyone advise how i use these please


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/cornelius-19- ... 19eb04cad1

[Mr. Dripping]

They look like old Grundy fittings (could be wrong there).
The fitting will have two outlets/inlets.....one for gas and one for liquid. The fitting pushes over the centre (spile) and locks with a twist and pushes down the centre disc to allow gas in and beer out.
You will need to take care when removing the spile.....if the keg is under pressure the spile can fly out and do you a nasty injury.
You may even need a tool to remove the spile.
I saw the ebay listing myself, and decided not to bid as the fittings look non-standard/unusual to me. Hopefully someone can add some more info to this.

[barneey]

They look to me to be a type a fitting, I`ve been waiting for someone to get a keg other than a "s" type.

http://www.draughtbeeronline.com/_uk/ke ... ctors.html

As far as I know no-one has experimented with this type of keg spear before (home use). - I`ve documented quite abit on JBK about the "s" type.

AS mentioned above the first thing to do is to make sure there is no gas left in the keg, this can be done with a coupler mounted to the keg, close off the beer outlet with a JG plug, open the gas inlet (remove the duck - one way device).

Then have a look around the internet for the correct procedure to remove this type of spear + experiment.

If you cant get the spear out, your have to use it with it in place.

EDIT have a read through this forum post

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =2&t=37041

[barneey]

If you need a connector for the keg, I think I have a few laying around.

Have a go with the spear first. BUT DEGAS the keg, if you do press down on the middle part of the fitting and its got beer still left in it you might get a shower, so do it out doors.

[jaroporter]

ha i just wrote out what i did to dismantle one of these kegs, then checked barneey's link and it was much clearer with pictures! make sure you read down the comments as one of them mentions the little locking tab. basically, don't fully unscrew the top, and it is clockwise to turn the centre piece. there's possibly a tool for it as it does feel a bit brute force. not sure i'd want to do it too many times with the pliers if i was going to be dispensing out of the keg under pressure though. mine's got scrapes and burrs now, though in fairness that rubber seal is gonna be pretty tough

[asd]

It is very important to identify the fitting -the S types are the only ones that people here have any expertise with.

Check Barneey's link to identify.

http://www.franke.com/content/beverages ... g_keg.html

site talks about a "specially designed" neck and spear. Might be worth contacting them.

Let us know how you get on!

[barneey]

I would be interested to know if a "s" spear works with an "a" neck, if they do and the removal of an "a" spear is APITA to do / damages the fitting as mentioned by jaroporter, it might be worth just getting a replacement spear.

I would also mention that a Brand New Crusader Keg isn't that much more expensive to buy.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=58785&p=617815&hili ... er#p617815 if the OP wants additional reading material on kegs......

Have fun

Cheers

[tony twist]

[img][img][img][/img][/img][/img]can't believe have wasted so much money that i don't have he told me i need EWL A Type Beer Keg Coupler but how do u fill it and clean

[barneey]

Just by connecting an "a" type coupler you will beable to empty and fill the keg, (either with beer of cleaning solution), it is however better in my opinion to remove the spear and fil / clean that way.

If you look at ANY coupler, you have a gas in and liquid out. Both these ports normally have a one way device. the gas will have a duck bill piece of plastic and the liquid a floating piece of plastic. Removing either of these will make the coupler a two way device. The Photos I loaded in the thread I linked to will make this a lot clearer, the principle of any coupler is the same.

[mojonojo]

I also hate to point out that these kegs have probably been pinched too - http://cask.beerandpub.com/index.aspx
Green band around the top indicates that it comes from a brewery

[tony twist]

just my luck .... i am just thinking I should just throw in the towel i had nothing but bad luck today .. took me over 3 hours stuck in traffic to collect these kegs also i have spent so much money trying to start home brewing guess it not meant to be bottling is not good i only have small space

[asd]

Hey mate, don't throw in the towel! Most of us have been there, in similar circumstances. "If I were starting again, I wouldn't start from here" etc. I've wasted loads of money, particularly before I joined the forums, but I still manage to do it now - but I justify it on the quantity and quality of the beer that emanates from my efforts - although some may disagree. That is why this forum is so good. I wasted so much dosh before I got where I am, if I am anywhere, but over the course of a couple of years, you WILL save money! Oh, unless you catch the dreaded SHINEY FEVER!!!!!!!


As Barneey says, you can fill and clean without removing the spear. That's what happens in a commercial setup. So maybe Barneeys coupling would help.
Although I agree it is better to be able to get more into the thing.There must be a tool to open them. Might cost a bit, though.

You may have to write this purchase off, or on the other hand, you may manage to get into the kegs, and teach us all a thing or two.

Also, if you are going into kegging, then you will need a gas bottle, regulator and a coupler, whichever system you use. If you can get them open, then you are away!

[tony twist]

Thanks guys for your kind advice I will keep at at it

[dean_wales]

Don't give up mate!

I've got more failed projects in the shed than you would ever believe

Dean.

[tony twist]

just had better news today first i would like to give a big thank you to barneey for sending the connector and other good news is that i contacted Keg watch and they gave me the all clear so they are legal for me to have .. i managed to get the top unscrewed but it only loosens does not pull out but i will see what happens

here are the kegs

http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/tonyt ... t=3&page=1