I am sure it will make a mess and ruin your pressure reg in the processOk , if you attempt to make 5 gallons of beer in a keg, won't the pressure regulator gismo just spit krausen all over the floor as it ferments. Or does the pressure suppress the foamy stuff?
You can ferment just like any other vessel or you can pressurize the fermentation. You need head room like any other fermenter, but when it’s pressurized it suppresses the krausen. You can ferment 4 gallons in a 5 gallon without pressure, it’s possible to get 4-1/2 gallons in a 5 gallon keg with pressure. Normally you would only ferment lagers under pressure. I make +7 gallons in a 1/4 barrel keg. If yeast gets into the spunding valve, most times it can be cleaned.Ok , if you attempt to make 5 gallons of beer in a keg, won't the pressure regulator gismo just spit krausen all over the floor as it ferments. Or does the pressure suppress the foamy stuff?
Good point about the pressure. Push the silver ball in with a screw driver or something to remove the pressure from the keg. Parts can go flying if you remove the spear under pressure.As has been said, the brewer will often appreciate them back but there are loads of legit ones out there as well.
The spear and fitting can be wrestled out without the special tool but it helps a lot if you do have one. I know a bloke - ahem - who has removed them with a cold chisel, a keg connector and a penny (seriously) to get the failsafe collar out.
They do contain a lot of pressure so be wary and they are not easy to clean. They are robust though and will take lots more abuse than a corny keg.
I saw one that had been converted to distil spirits in last weekend; very clever.
Good point about the pressure. Push the silver ball in with a screw driver or something to remove the pressure from the keg. Parts can go flying if you remove the spear under pressure.
Always interesting to look at the roof of a pub cellar for the marks from someone who forgot to check the pressure of the keg.Good point about the pressure. Push the silver ball in with a screw driver or something to remove the pressure from the keg. Parts can go flying if you remove the spear under pressure.