5 Gallon Plastic Barrel - S30 valve

[QED]

All,
I have recently inherited a 5 Gallon Plastic Barrel with an S30 valve. Up until now I bottle condition all my beers however I fancy giving the barrel a go however I don't really know where to start with it!

1. Is there an idiots guide somewhere that you can point me at?
2. I understand that there are 2 valve types, the S30 and the soda siphon kind. My barrel has the S30 valve so whats the basic kit that i'll need to charge the barrel? Should I just change the valve for the siphon type as it's easier?

Anyway, thanks in advance.

Q

 

[Beerlover]

I've used these since I started (only a few months ago)and I've found them to be brilliant, I've got 3-4 Pbs on the go and haven't had to get it refill it yet.

 

[Beerlover]

If you're lucky enough to live near a homebrew shop then use what you've got, you just need to buy a cylinder and give it a 1 second blast when the pressure drops off (before it sucks any air back through the beer)

 

[Fil]

dbl check the valve the bulb type is very similar just has a pin/needle to puncture the bulb..

pb are better suited to ales and bitters keep bottling the lagers and beers you want with more condition..

pbs are a lot less cleaning/sanitation too, but are more dynamic with the pour responding to the changing pressure in the pb as you pour and top up..

and with an s30 bottle a lil squirt when first sealed will check the seal is ok for you, which can save lots of headaches..

enjoy..