King Kegs

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DeedCanary

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Hi folks,

Fairly new to the all grain brewing game, 2 batches bottled and 1 fermenting (hopefully).

Originally started off brewing 11lt batches, however the most recent was 18lt. As such I'm thinking about getting a keg to save bottling.

I've decided to start of with the king keg and I was wondering what essential accessories to buy with the keg?

Cheers
 
Welcome to the Forum. :thumb: :thumb:

If you get a King Keg there's nothing extra required with the exception of a few 8g CO2 capsules to maintain pressure when the natural carbonation has got depleted.

I have a Top-Tap King Keg like this one ...

http://www.homebrewcentregy.com/king-keg-top-tap-fitted-with-a-pin-valve

... and an ordinary bottom take-off keg like this one ...

http://www.wilko.com/homebrew-accessories+equipment/wilko-pressure-barrel-5-gallon/invt/0441260

The King Keg comes in at nearly £20 more than the Wilco Keg.

One advantage of the King Keg Top-Tap is that the take-off floats on the top of the brew. As beer clears from the top down you can draw off a clear pint slightly quicker than with a bottom tap. However, this is not necessarily an "advantage" because patience is a virtue in brewing and you should wait for the brew to carbonate and condition properly before drinking it.

Because the bottom take-off has to accommodate a tap it is necessary to tilt the keg in order to empty the keg. However, with the Top-Tap the take-off floats on the surface of the brew and you can virtually empty the keg without any need to tilt it.

One other thing that is "nice to have" but not essential is one of these ...

http://www.homebrewcentregy.com/barrel-cap-spanner-for-4-inch-caps

Personally I use brute strength to close the cap and an expanding wood clamp to open the cap.

The only other item of note is that despite the price many of the kegs (regardless of make) come with an uneven top that makes it virtually impossible to achieve a seal when the cap is installed. As a result, it pays to take the time to gently smooth off the sealing surface of the keg and spread a light coating of Vaseline on the cap threads before tightening.
 

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