Wilko Barrel

[Rodcx500z]

Long story short, about 3 weeks ago my mrs bought me a wilko barrel it was on offer, 4 days ago I put 23L of Geordie bitter in it and its leaking not from the tap but underneath, its maybe an egg cup full a day I am loath to transfare it to an empty keg its carbed enough to drink and very very nearly clear with a good taste, I have put it outside on patio table and I am going to be pissed for the next few days no way is it being binned then its back to wilkos, will have to keep an eye on our border collie she likes ale

 

[terrym]

Plastics PBs eh.
Good when they don't leak, carp when they do, which is usually sooner in some form or another.

 

[Cwrw666]

Is it leaking from where the tap screws into the barrel? Mine did that when I first got it. Cured with a load of PTFE tape wrapped round the threads.
As you can get your arm in I don't know why they didn't use a simple hole with a nut securing the tap, a much better arrangement in my opinion.

 

[Rodcx500z]

Is it leaking from where the tap screws into the barrel? Mine did that when I first got it. Cured with a load of PTFE tape wrapped round the threads.
As you can get your arm in I don't know why they didn't use a simple hole with a nut securing the tap, a much better arrangement in my opinion.

No its leaking from the bottom somewere

 

[Cwrw666]

No its leaking from the bottom somewere

That's what I thought mine was doing but it was seeping from the tap rubber ring and was almost invisible. Obviously if it's leaking from the seam underneath then the barrel is faulty - take it back.

 

[woody1959]

Obviously if it's leaking from the seam underneath then the barrel is faulty - take it back.

Long story short, about 3 weeks ago my mrs bought me a wilko barrel it was on offer, 4 days ago I put 23L of Geordie bitter in it and its leaking not from the tap but underneath, its maybe an egg cup full a day I am loath to transfare it to an empty keg its carbed enough to drink and very very nearly clear with a good taste, I have put it outside on patio table and I am going to be pissed for the next few days no way is it being binned then its back to wilkos, will have to keep an eye on our border collie she likes ale

If you can identify exactly where it's leaking, you might be able to make a temp cure with water resistant silicone sealant.

If you are confident the cap is good, turn barrel upside down, put the sealant on, wait till it's cured ( it's not waterproof until cured) then turn the barrel back over.

 

[Richie_asg1]

I would be for taking it back & exchange for another one. Not a good start.

Would be good to find the spot where it is leaking from though. Probably a bad seam but it may have been bashed or a pinhole in the plastic.

 

[Rodcx500z]

I had a look at the tap and hey presto it took one quarter turn, so hopefully all will be good

 

[terrym]

I had a look at the tap and hey presto it took one quarter turn, so hopefully all will be good

Good to hear. Bet the dog is disappointed.
Anyway the moral of the tale for anyone who has just taken delivery of a new or s/h PB, is to pressure test it as much as you are able it before you put beer in it, as noted in here
Guide to a Standard Home Brew Pressure Barrel

 

[Rodcx500z]

Cheers Terry I am just its ok for now, dog has turned her back on me