Barrels

[Will333]

I have had lots of problems with my plastic barrel - the gas leaks out of the top.

I assume that some makes are better than others - has anyone got any recommendations? (I want to naturally carbonate)

Thanks

[Dave-Leeds]

I used to have a 4 keg cornelius setup and have since sold this due to lqck of space. After a look around i have purchased a king keg and can not fault this at all

no leaks.very sturdy and i can transport this easier

[daddies-beer-factory]

When I started all - grain I had lots of problems with the pressure barrels - the solution for me was to bottle.

[Hairybiker]

Simple solution is to remove all the items on the lid.
Clean and replace any seals. Lightly grease them (the new seals) with Vaseline and re-assemble.
Replace top on empty keg. (Make sure the tap is closed) Blast with a short dose of co2. Spray with dilute washing up liquid or star-san.
Check for leaks (bubbles will appear if it is leaking). If any try tightening any nuts. repeat above.
If you can't get the S30 valve to seal, then get some 19/20mm silicon 'o' rings, and replace the white washer with one.

That's what I do with my 6 HB BeerSpheres.

[alexlark]

I had a few problems with my pressure barrels when I started brewing. The key is to just lightly grease the washer with vasaline and then put the cap on just a little bit tight. All of my leaks were down to over tightening the cap!

[daddies-beer-factory]

I had a few problems with my pressure barrels when I started brewing. The key is to just lightly grease the washer with vasaline and then put the cap on just a little bit tight. All of my leaks were down to over tightening the cap!

probably where I went wrong !

[DeadFall]

I have loads of problems with king kegs, I find they leak really badly. The budget barrels have better taps and don't leak as much.

[Dave-Leeds]

No major problems with king keg. I have a top tap and find the tap is very sturdy only little priblem so far is the float inside rises up a bit 2 far. Problem solved with a little weight on it

[fisherman]

If a keg seal leaks you can loose 19 litres upwards. If a crown cap does not seal 500ml wasted.

[Dads_Ale]

I don't normally have a problem with the cap seal it is all the ancillary fittings that have caused the problem.
The rubber band on the S30 PRV can be temperamental and variable in when it relieves pressure. I have had to replace several of these and ended up putting on one without the PRV bit (obviously can't recommend this) and then fitted a pressure gauge and John Guest fittings.
Also the tap itself can leak and the tap seal and the threaded tap insert and the tap thread can split. These usually manifest themselves as pressure builds up. The tap drip you probably have to live with. The seal could result from the tap being under or over tightened ( if greasing the seal watch out for it being forced out of the gap as you tighten the tap). If the thread is split then you need a new tap. Again I have replaced mine with a selection of John Guest fitting (DIY involved) as I connect to a hand pump. The threaded insert I managed to seal with some plastic adhesive fluid.
So you can see PBs can be very frustrating.

[jimpy0]

Aquarium sealant is good for tap leaks, neutral cure and it must be ok if fish can live with it.

[Rick_UK]

I had a few problems with my pressure barrels when I started brewing. The key is to just lightly grease the washer with vasaline and then put the cap on just a little bit tight. All of my leaks were down to over tightening the cap!

+1 There is a bit of an art to using kegs effectively. Use soapy water to id any leaks and adjust any seals / cap accordingly. Keep a couple of spare pressure release bands that go round the outside of the valve - these can be a PITA for small leaks.

If you shake it up with some water and washing up liquid it will pressurise you can then experiment with how tight you need to turn the lid. Snug but bnot too tight is the order of the day!

Rick

[kisslikeether]

For me the problem was with the thread of the caps - both on the King Kegs and on my fermenters. I've solved it by filing the treads on the caps with Vaseline each time I use them. No problems since then....