Using chilled keg dispensers

[Twopan]

I have been trying using 5L mini-kegs. Recently got hold of a Salter chilled dispenser, which is exactly the same as a Daewoo one I borrowed and inserted my Saison, which is carbonated to 2.4 volumes. Anyone got any tips on tapping the keg with the big tube thingy? In this case the air inlet cap prised out of the keg easily and the tube pushed the plug in and seated. However, there was so much pressure in the keg that briefly a jet shot out of the gas inlet end of the tube and then started dripping slightly. Obviously the non-return valve isn't strong enough! Once the gas inlet coupler was connected it stopped. Learning point is to somehow seal the gas inlet end as you plunge the tube into the keg and get the keg into the dispenser and push on the gas coupler as soon as possible. Anyone had this problem and have any tips?

 

[Ben034]

If these are the type of mini kegs that you get in supermarkets with beer already in, they won't manage high pressure. When I used them, I only primed to approx 1.5 vols co2 like a cask ale. Unfortunately they don't last long before giving off an "aluminium" flavour from my experience.

 

[Ben034]

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/easy-keg-5l.57568/page-93

Here's a really long thread on them. I think I used 12g sugar to carbonate.

 

[Twopan]

If these are the type of mini kegs that you get in supermarkets with beer already in, they won't manage high pressure. When I used them, I only primed to approx 1.5 vols co2 like a cask ale. Unfortunately they don't last long before giving off an "aluminium" flavour from my experience.

Actually it was a new keg designed for home brewing, but as you say, the pressure that seeped out of the so-called non-return valve was obviously too much for it. Brewing in batches, I carbonate a Saison to 2.4 volumes, as any less than that in the remaining bottles wouldn't be enough. Hey-ho.

 

[Ben034]

From the top of the keg in the picture, it still looks like the "easy keg" or equivalent that are also used to lightly carbonate cask type beers.

I also bought a set of three unmarked kegs of this type which were fine for a low carbonation style over two to three uses. After that unfortunately the flavour was definitely tainted. I still found it a useful way into kegging though. After that I went with the 5l kegland kegs which are a better long-term option in my opinion.

 

[Ben034]

You could prime the keg and bottles individually, but a low carbonation saison is probably not ideal.