Using kegs instead of bottles

[Southern Geordie]

Afternoon all.

I have sourced some 5L mini kegs for my next brew and have purchased some of the standard grey rubber bungs.

Do the bungs operate the same as as below or is there another way they operate as I would like to give them as Christmas presents.

 

[terrym]

If its like the grey bungs I have they have got a plastic insert which fits bottom up, and which you keep in place as you insert the bung into the vent hole. Then if you want to vent the keg you push the insert into the minikeg for recovery later. I used a smear of vaseline to help insert the complete bung assembly into the keg hole.
If you are using repurposed one trip minikegs (say bought from a supermarket) be aware that the lining is subject to degradation and as early as second reuse you might get a metallic taste in the beer. Thats why I gave up on them as have others.

 

[Southern Geordie]

If its like the grey bungs I have they have got a plastic insert which fits bottom up, and which you keep in place as you insert the bung into the vent hole. Then if you want to vent the keg you push the insert into the minikeg for recovery later. I used a smear of vaseline to help insert the complete bung assembly into the keg hole.
If you are using repurposed one trip minikegs (say bought from a supermarket) be aware that the lining is subject to degradation and as early as second reuse you might get a metallic taste in the beer. Thats why I gave up on them as have others.

These are the one's I have.

The kegs I have at home have come from the Purple Moose Brewery so I'm hoping that they are semi decent.

 

[terrym]

These are the one's I have.
View attachment 36582



The kegs I have at home have come from the Purple Moose Brewery so I'm hoping that they are semi decent.

The bungs are the same as mine.
I don't think it makes much difference which brewery you bought your minikegs from. They are all made from lacquered (coated) steel most probably sourced from two suppliers either Huber or Fass Frisch from what I understand. Most seem to be Huber and the top bung you have in the OP is the Huber sort which can be reused.
If you want to use minikegs with confidence there are a few stainless steel ones available, and Dark Farm will provide you with a minikeg set up but it costs ££s or even more.
Theres a long thread about using minikegs here
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/easy-keg-5l.57568