Old boots pressure barrel

[Chop_Suey_Stuey]

Hi all

I picked up two boots pressure barrels on eBay for 99p the other day. Just given one a good scrub, filled with water and popped a CO2 charger on. Initially it was smoking (very slightly) under the cap for a second then stopped. I left it for a few mins then drained through the tap; in the end the whole thing drained without a glug.

I'm starting the Wilko Newkie brown kit next week and was hoping to use this but I'm bit apprehensive about the smoking at the start, but this is my first PB so could be normal for all I know.

Cheers


Untitled by Chop_Suey_Stuey, on Flickr

 

[BrotherMalice]

I have used one of these before and was told by its owner that you dont need to use the Co2 intill you have started pouring the beer and only then if the beer slows down.

I had a different barrel that I "tested" in a similar way to you and it split from the pressure of the extra Co2 and already being full with water.

The "smoking" you mentioned may well have been the Co2 escaping so the seal may well need looking at before you use it with beer?

 

[Chop_Suey_Stuey]

Thanks for your reply...soooo I Just realised the O ring wasn't in the lid! :whistle: haha
I'll stick it on and give it another bash later. when testing it with water, would it be best to drain without and then add some CO2 when it starts to glug do you think?

Cheers

 

[Leglesstwot]

good buy, ive used 2 of these for years with no problems. priming gives enough carbonation to push beer out for quite a while and then i put a sparklet in. The original instructions recommend smearing the rubber O ring with glycerine to stop leaks.

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Ah, fond memories..