Dispensing from 5L mini kegs

[DixeySJ]

I've got a couple of these pre-filled mini-kegs. I'm considering a dispensing kit (e.g. party star) which seems to fit a tap to the top, rather than using the built in bottom tap. Those come with a CO2 bulb attachment - does / has anyone come across a way to adapt that to fit with a CO2 dispensing line? I've tried Google searching but it's difficult to know what search term to use! I've looked through some mini-keg posts on this forum, but not seen anything yet. My other thought was simply plugging a low pressure CO2 bleed into the top and dispensing the normal way. Again, has anyone tried that?

The purpose is to prolong the life of the kegs, since it's mainly just me drinking them.

All ideas / experience welcome ...

:)

 

[Clint]

Moons ago I looked into doing a similar thing. There were a few ideas and opinions which I obviously didn't like! One seemed constant was the 5l kegs begin to degrade.
You say it's just you drinking 5l kegs...so you're refilling with home brew?
I've just gone to "kegs" after years of bottles. For a cheap hassle free reusable solution check out the Oxebar stuff.

 

[RoomWithABrew]

I think there are adapters that fit into screw in co2 bulb fittings. These are designed for mini regulators that take the CO2 bulbs and allow you to fit a sodastream cylinder. I think there are adapters that could fit into the sodastream adapter and convert that to fit onto a standard CO2 cylinder.
Search the kegland site.

 

[DixeySJ]

Moons ago I looked into doing a similar thing. There were a few ideas and opinions which I obviously didn't like! One seemed constant was the 5l kegs begin to degrade.
You say it's just you drinking 5l kegs...so you're refilling with home brew?
I've just gone to "kegs" after years of bottles. For a cheap hassle free reusable solution check out the Oxebar stuff.

Thanks - no, I'm not re-using them. I did try that, but they really don't stand up to the wear and tear. I'm just looking at extending the usable window after opening a brewery filled one. My set up for my own beer is a mix of 10, 12 and 19L kegs with taps, CO2 reg etc.

 

[DixeySJ]

That definitely sounds like what I was imagining ... I'll see if I can spot something. Thanks!

 

[Clint]

Ah...right. it's a timing thing maybe. Tap one on a weekend jolly and drink the lot. For casual midweek quaffing do your thing.

 

[An Ankoù]

For what it's worth, I had several goes at repurposing party kegs. No problem with the mechanics, but they tend to work once and then taste "rusty". I don't know why this should be. Maybe I scratched the plating while getting the bung out. A shame as they're too good for single use.

 

[RichardM]

Thanks - no, I'm not re-using them. I did try that, but they really don't stand up to the wear and tear. I'm just looking at extending the usable window after opening a brewery filled one. My set up for my own beer is a mix of 10, 12 and 19L kegs with taps, CO2 reg etc.

I wonder why you buy 5l brewery filled mini kegs when you have your own beer.

 

[RoomWithABrew]

For what it's worth, I had several goes at repurposing party kegs. No problem with the mechanics, but they tend to work once and then taste "rusty". I don't know why this should be. Maybe I scratched the plating while getting the bung out. A shame as they're too good for single use.

They make great little trashcans!!

 

[An Ankoù]

They make great little trashcans!!

How many trashcans does a poor boy need?
I have a particular dislike of single-use packaging. Sure, it's difficult to see how a beer can can be re-used, but a party keg with its nicely engineered tap and bung should be reusable. Glass bottles and jars that go into the recycling bin are such a waste, but infinitely better than PET bottles.

 

[Appleton Brews]

You could never reuse a Party 7 and you opened it with a hammer and nail. Beer on the ceiling and floor.

 

[stripeyjoe]

Search you tube for 5l mini keg dispenser, there's a few 'how tos' to make one from a stainless steel T-piece, a dip tube and a gas in and liquid out post. I made one, it's pretty simple. This was V1, I changed the nipple to a shorter one and added a gas in post after initial tests.