Reconditioning Used Corney Kegs

[Sláinte]

I'm trying to clean up some "Stauder" kegs that I got last year.

First of all, I am not seeing how to get the poppits out of the post fixtures without a fight. The Web site I'm using for guidance (http://www.bodensatz.com/staticpages/in ... Kegs-Maint) shows them already out, without describing how they did it. I tried bending a paper clip to reach around them, but that's not working. Being lazy, I'm inclined to wonder just how necessary this is, even with a used keg where I "don't know where it's been."

I'm tempted to leave the poppits in and just boil them for a while. Anyone ever do that? Would it be sufficient, from a sanitation perspective? (Alternatively, could it damage the poppits?)

Second issue: One of the kegs has a "gas in" post that is really stuck. I've soaked it in hot water, tapped it with the hammer, tapped the socket wrench with the hammer, and totally annoyed my daughter when I asked her to hold the keg while I turned the wrench. I'm starting to catch her mood. It's enough to make a guy's thoughts turn to WD-40... (Anybody know how hard is it to rinse WD-40 out of a corney?)

Sláinte

[Michael]

Sláinte

The poppet will come out, but may take a bit of pressure. Get at it from the outside. Use some type of rod (I used metal) that is smaller than the poppet. Push down from the top with the plug sitting on a stable surface. It will come out and I have not ever damaged one. Now the other plug that seems seized is another matter. I've not had a major problem removing them. You need to keep the keg steady against the pressure of the socket you're using. It may take a wood dowel through the hand holds to keep the keg steady -- the longer the better. However, you need to attempt this with care so you do not damage the handles. The trick in my mind, after getting lots of rusted on car bolts, is to try to keep a constant pressure on the plug in this case. Don't try to jerk the handle of the wrench because that will potentially cause you problems. I would not recommend using WD40 as it is not a very good penetrating fluid, AND I'd worry about getting it all off the keg. Hope this helps -- maybe others have ideas that could help you too.

Mike

[Sláinte]

Mike,

Your method worked perfectly. The poppits, posts, etc., are disassembled and soaking in PBW as we speak. Thanks, I owe you one. (or should I say, six?)

I haven't been able to budge that seized post yet, but I think you're on to something with that steady pressure idea; I'm going to get a length of pipe to go on the end of my socket wrench - I like my chances going that route.

Much obliged.

Sláinte

[Michael]

Sláinte

Glad that worked for you. I do think that using a length of PVC or something similar will help with that stubborn plug. Keeping the keg stable and even pressure should work. Not sure why that plug is being so tough. I've had them tight, but not to point that I thought I was going to break something. Let us know how it works out.

Mike

[wnordmann]

On one of my first Kegs I unstuck a post by laying the keg on the ground and sort of "rolling" the whole thing over the socket wrench. This is using the ground to hold everything level and the keg to cause the pivot. I drew a picture in paint to help explain.

[Sláinte]

On one of my first Kegs I unstuck a post by laying the keg on the ground and sort of "rolling" the whole thing over the socket wrench. This is using the ground to hold everything level and the keg to cause the pivot.

wnordmann

That's a good method - and helpful graphics. Thank you. I just finished trying it for a while, and it felt like the most torque I had managed yet. Unfortunately, it's still Fixture 1, Sláinte 0. I seem to have lucked into a world champion "hard nut." I even soaked the corney upside-down overnight filled with PBW - a method I saw on-line somewhere.

I'm still hoping that combining your method with a pipe over my wrench handle will give me the leverage I need.

Sláinte

[turkeyjerky214]

You said you tapped the socket wrench with a hammer. Have you thought about using a rubber mallet and giving it a few full on swings? I had to do that with a keg I got last summer. Just held on to the socket and swung as hard as I could. It came loose on the first hit.

[Sláinte]

Can't say I had thought of that, probably because I don't have/never used a rubber mallet. I'm inclined to stay with the pipe-as-handle-extension method first (and I would think a piece of pipe would be cheaper), but if it doesn't work, it's good to have a Plan C. Thanks.

Sláinte

[Kerth]

If all else fails. You can heat up the post with a torch a little bit to expand it a little. Be careful how long, there may be some plastic parts you don't want melted.

[Sláinte]

I'm pleased to report that we just got that silly thing loose. It took three of us - two rolling the keg and one holding the pipe on the wrench and the wrench on the post. When it finally gave, the poppit had come out of the post and still stuck to the keg. It looks like it's going to be OK, though...

Thanks for all the help.

Sláinte

[Konertjm]

I'm pleased to report that we just got that silly thing loose. It took three of us - two rolling the keg and one holding the pipe on the wrench and the wrench on the post. When it finally gave, the poppit had come out of the post and still stuck to the keg. It looks like it's going to be OK, though...

Thanks for all the help.

Sláinte

Hmmm, How many brewers does it take to change a light bulb?

(see above)

[Sláinte]

If you're putting beer in light bulbs now, you can count me out. That keg was hard enough!

Sláinte