Mini Keg Discussion / Mods / Show Off - Dedicated Thread

[malt and barley blues]

Friend of mine who doesn't brew is after a couple of mini kegs, wanted to know how much, where to buy, directed him to AHB he is not a member and I warned him that some of the the last batch was rusty. He called me this morning and told me that there was mention of rusty kegs in the first buy, directed me to a post by Crunch, post 27 Mini Keg and Growler EOI. Sure enough he warned of rusty kegs, so rusting not just an isolated incident.

 

[nosco]

Did you use straight vinegar with the citric peteru?

 

[Zorco]

I still trying to coordinate a ss grade test

 

[peteru]

Did you use straight vinegar with the citric peteru?

Yes. It was undiluted white vinegar. Homebrand from Woolies. It comes in 2L bottles, but I only had about 50mL to hand.

 

[nosco]

So I tried a vinegar/citric acid wash tonight with no improvement on the rust.

I tried a short bristle bottle brush first but it was to bendy to get any pressure on it. Then I did a glass of vinegar with some sand and as you'd expect it didnt do ****. Then I heated up a bit over 1.5lt of vinegar (white vinegar from Aldi) with 2 big tbsp of citric and the rest of water to 5lt. I heated it up to 75c. The I even got a 12v power supply and did the same as peteru for 20 minutes. I could hear the tiny bubbles as soon as I turned it on. The stainless bolt came up really well.

The seam welds and spot welds seem to have come up really well but it looks like absolutly no affect on the rust. The 3 pics below are just after the sand. The last 4 are after the hot vinegar soak.


Edit: I did give it clean with TSP on Sunday too.

 

[peteru]

The current density (total current / area) plays an important part in how effective and quick the electropolishing will be. I suspect that a large electrode and several Amps will be required. Maybe a welding power supply?

Whatever you do, make sure you don't arc or short circuit the electrode against the keg. Not only will you damage the surface (by effectively spot welding), but you also run a risk of explosion. The electrolysis will create hydrogen and oxygen and a spark will ignite the mix and go pop/bang/boom. Combine that with hot acid and you get yourself into an ugly mess.

 

[Grott]

Besides warranty issues, would it be worth talking to a plating factory as to the pickling process and cost per keg, batch of kegs?

 

[nosco]

The power supply i had was only 500mA. Yeah nah, thats enough experimenting for me.

 

[Coalminer]

Besides warranty issues, would it be worth talking to a plating factory as to the pickling process and cost per keg, batch of kegs?

Maybe so. I was wondering the same

 

[GoodDuck]

I think not, due to the mentioned warranty issues. i.e. who becomes responsible warranty wise?

 

[Zorco]

Yeah, I'm with GoodDuck on this. We have, after all, paid a fair price for the product.

As I've always said, Mark will support this. Should his business collapse and go bankrupt then we will need to negotiate the disaster bulk buy with electroplating options I'd reckon.

Having said any of that rubbish, it is yours - you own it. Ask Mark though, it's not like he would send it back to China. Get your warranty replacement when he approves and you may be able to explore electroplating at your own expense with the surrendered keg.

 

[Liam_snorkel]

I just want them to not make my beer taste like metal after a week. Hopefully the Beerkat fellas get on top of it since their whole business is based around them.

 

[Liam_snorkel]

especially since my first fill was from a bar and cost $70. Not keen to repeat that.

 

[Parks]

especially since my first fill was from a bar and cost $70. Not keen to repeat that.

Farrrrrrrrrrrrrk :|

 

[Liam_snorkel]

2.5 x growler price for a 6.1% beer

 

[bradsbrew]

Ouch.
Well I can't really complain about 4L of leftovers turning to ****, can I.

 

[Liam_snorkel]

I pulled 3 pints out of it while it still tasted good, so there is that.

 

[bradsbrew]

23 bucks a pint.........may as well go to archive

 

[wide eyed and legless]

Friend of mine who doesn't brew is after a couple of mini kegs, wanted to know how much, where to buy, directed him to AHB he is not a member and I warned him that some of the the last batch was rusty. He called me this morning and told me that there was mention of rusty kegs in the first buy, directed me to a post by Crunch, post 27 Mini Keg and Growler EOI. Sure enough he warned of rusty kegs, so rusting not just an isolated incident.

Cian, if your mate is still interested he can have the 2 x 4litre I ordered, $195 AUD PM me and I will pay, the delivery is taken care of.

 

[All Things Homebrew]

Yeah, I'm with GoodDuck on this. We have, after all, paid a fair price for the product.

As I've always said, Mark will support this. Should his business collapse and go bankrupt then we will need to negotiate the disaster bulk buy with electroplating options I'd reckon.

Having said any of that rubbish, it is yours - you own it. Ask Mark though, it's not like he would send it back to China. Get your warranty replacement when he approves and you may be able to explore electroplating at your own expense with the surrendered keg.

this is correct I will accept warranty claims on this issue, Im still currently in discussions with the manufacturer about the exact problems and solutions, once I have some solid answers from them I will know how to proceed.

they are doing some tests and going to trying some new things on their products, and have sent through a lot of descriptions and pictures from this thread. will update when I hear more.

 

[Zorco]

Alrighty, perspective check again,

Of all the people aware of this thread from the set of people who have ever bought a mini keg from ATHB, ten have registered a warranty concern. Not ten people, ten kegs sorry.

Most of these are from MKII.

There are three so far from Beerkat and two are Liam's. Around the time of MKIII I remember Liam?

The remaining warranty claims are from MKIII and they total three.

The proportion of claims for MKIII are much higher than for MKII and timing of MKIII is similar to the Beerkat buy which have a good proportion of claims.

One hypothesis is that bad batching began around the end of MKII and into MKIII with Beerkat's supply in that window (assuming they received from China relatively soon before sending to customers)

There will be much to know from the MKIV customers.

I'd like this saga to end with a **** batch and then all good again.

Then the regulator drama over as well.

I don't think that is a rose tinted view. Happy to be challenged.

 

[Zorco]

P.s.

That was not a rant, that was my statistics voice

 

[malt junkie]

I still haven't been able to check mine though that should happen some time next week. Both are loaded with high ABV brews; kids and work have prevented a glutenous approach to this issue. Not that I haven't been temped! Camping next week I'm sure will resolve the matter.

 

[Grott]

I still haven't been able to check mine......Not that I haven't been temped

Go on, go on, just a sip?

 

[bradsbrew]

Alrighty, perspective check again,
Of all the people aware of this thread from the set of people who have ever bought a mini keg from ATHB, ten have registered a warranty concern. Not ten people, ten kegs sorry.
Most of these are from MKII.
There are three so far from Beerkat and two are Liam's. Around the time of MKIII I remember Liam?
The remaining warranty claims are from MKIII and they total three.
The proportion of claims for MKIII are much higher than for MKII and timing of MKIII is similar to the Beerkat buy which have a good proportion of claims.
One hypothesis is that bad batching began around the end of MKII and into MKIII with Beerkat's supply in that window (assuming they received from China relatively soon before sending to customers)
There will be much to know from the MKIV customers.
I'd like this saga to end with a **** batch and then all good again.
Then the regulator drama over as well.
I don't think that is a rose tinted view. Happy to be challenged.

My 5L turns beer to ****, my 1.89L has rust spots and the vessel, apart from the handle,is 100% magnetic. I have not added myself to your spreadsheet because i will deal with the retailer when and if they give a response regarding the identified issues.

 

[bradsbrew]

So your statistic approach is fairly floored.

 

[user 31093]

Alrighty, perspective check again,

I don't think that is a rose tinted view. Happy to be challenged.

Thanks for the summary mate, I've been pretty flat out so barely been able to follow the saga. 10 out of however many is really not terrible

If I get a lemon I'm not going to cry about it (not saying anyone is), with the service from Mark and the folk at BK, I'm not worried about any issues going unresolved.

Now kegs, get in my local lostralia post contractor's van!!1!

 

[Zorco]

P.s.

That was not a rant, that was my statistics voice

 

[Zorco]

So your statistic approach is fairly floored.

It wasnt stats, that was just my voice.

I was reporting from the spreadsheet and came up with a hypothesis.

Your concerns are fairly flawed.

You haven't arranged your replacement yet. This hasn't been established as a permanent fault.

Lastly, Why not ask now for a refund and escape the drama?

 

[Zorco]

My 4L turns beer to ****, my 1.89L has rust spots and the vessel, apart from the handle,is 100% magnetic. I have not added myself to your spreadsheet because i will deal with the retailer when and if they give a response regarding the identified issues.

You're in the PM now, some catch up reading for you.