Just checking a few things before kegging

[Beerbellybob]

Hello fellow responsible drinkers :drink: just finished my second brew today and am about to stick it in a pressure keg ive got to use a regular syphon this time so was wondering how to get this flowing with out getting my dribble on the end of it also am i supposed to put vasaline or somthing around the lid any tips would be a big help cheers

 

[andyakameatloaf]

yeah, on a pressurel barrel to properly make it airtight you need to coat the thread on the inside of the cap in vaseline or similar.
I just suck my siphon, although admittedly it's not the most hygenic way to go about it.
You can get auto syphons that basically have a tube flowing up to a rubber ball, then a tube flowing away from it. you squeeze the ball and let go, which creates suction and pulls the beer through.

A good idea with a siphon is to make sure it has a sediment trap on the bottom.

Also with pressure kegs, a valuable tip i learned a while back that i wish i had known before:
Don't screw the cap on super super tight, as this will warp the rubber seal. Seal it with vaseline, then screw it on until it stops turning. apparently the fermentation itself will help to tighten the seal.

 

[Beerbellybob]

Nice one also how do you cool one before drinking it my fridge is always to full to get a keg in anyone got some ideas :

 

[andyakameatloaf]

If you're putting it just into a pressure barrel, you really either need a dedicated brewing fridge (there are a few threads on this forum showing how to make one)
or failing that, just store your barrel somewhere fairly cold (IE a cellar)
if it's ale you're brewing then it shouldn't be served too cold anyway, it's often said that anything below abbout 8-10*C and it impairs the flavour.
Of course if it's lager, then that's a different matter and it should be stored in a cold place.

 

[andyakameatloaf]

I've personally never used a ferm fridge, and i haven't brewed any lagers yet.
I find for ale, a chilly cellar works fine for me, plus i dont have the money, room, time or motivation to make a ferm fridge yet
if you are interested in sorting out a beer fridge, there are a couple of way to do it but this is a good starting point for information:
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=23585

 

[rpt]

Nice one also how do you cool one before drinking it my fridge is always to full to get a keg in anyone got some ideas :

Use bottles! Sorry, not very helpful, but it's one of the many reasons I don't use a barrel.

 

[WelshPaul]

Fill the syphon with water and keep your thumb over the pressure barrel end. Put the other end into the FV, hold the other end over a pint glass and remove your thumb to get the water moving downhill. That ought to create nbegative pressure and start drawing the beer with it. Once the beer starts flowing rather than the water, pinch the syphon shut, move it over the barrel and let it go.

 

[Beerbellybob]

Thanks big help

 

[winelight]

And make sure the tap of the barrel is screwed on tight before you fill it! Several threads here of leaking taps, and I've had it too. Lots of vaseline on the threads and washer of the tap.