New to kegging, should I just get pin lock kegs?

[Ionos]

Hi all,

I'm about to dive into kegging. Everyone I've spoken to tells me that ball lock gets are getting rarer and the price is going up.

Since I dont have any gear at all yet, should i just go for all pin lock kegs and equipment? Is there any reason to say ball locks are superior or is it just that people have that equipment already.

Cheers.

 

[Hippy]

I'd say ball locks are more common and easier to get replacement parts for than pinlocks, which is why most people have the ball locks.

 

[Camo6]

AFAIK the main difference is the post positioning and the height and width of the actual keg. Pinlock (coca-cola) are a bit shorter and wider I think. You can still retro fit a pin lock with ball lock posts or vice versa. Haven't got any pin locks so can't really comment on which is superior but if you do go with ball locks buy good quality disconnects and cheap ones can be a real PITA. Maybe measure your fridge space and see which kegs fit better?

 

[brentice]

I have both ball and pin lock kegs and afaiac there is not alot off advantages or disadvantages between the two. If you are going to go either, like old mate said buy some good quality connections. It may hurt initially but it is worth it in the long run. Ball lock kegs are taller and smaller in overall diameter whereas pin lock kegs are shorter in height but larger in overall diameter. Hope this helps. True Story

 

[Crusty]

I'd say ball locks are more common and easier to get replacement parts for than pinlocks, which is why most people have the ball locks.

Agreed.
Ball locks for sure.

 

[Cube]

I have four pinlock kegs and have ZERO issues with parts. It's impossible to get the lines mixed up like ball locks. Apart from that only difference is slightly stubbier and some kegerators will only hold two not three at a time.

If you're worried about getting parts don't really worry. It's just seals and maybe a lid that will ever need replacing if looked after. I just bought four newer type lids with silicone seals at $15.00 a pop and about 50 seals for the posts and dip tubes. That will last me a life time and .50c a seal, who cares.

You will have to replace all seals when you get them anyway so just buy a fistful of spare dip tube seals and post seals at the same time.

It's like a ford vs holden thing. They both go vroom vroom and move. Well, holdens do anyway

 

[QldKev]

As Cube said, I don't think one is better than another.

But I drive a ball lock keg and so do all my mates. So it's pretty cool when I park my ball lock keg in their kegerator.
ok that sounded ******* gay, but hopefully you got what I mean.

 

[Ionos]

Great advice all appreciate it. Sounds like a bit of mixed consensus though!

Will see what the best deal I can get on each is then make a call.

 

[woodwormm]

If I were beginning now i'd go pinlock as they seem a heap cheaper. I've got all ball lock and so do all my mates. If one of them ever goes pinlock I guess we'll just have to make an adaptor... not too hard with john guest fittings and a bit of tube,

stress less, save the cash and go pin.

whichever you do get, I think a pressure relief valve in the lid is more important than the type of disconnect..... get a mazda