8 replies to this topic

[Thirsty]

I switched out a keg yesterday afternnon, and hadnt been in the garage since. My buddy went out to grab a beer during the game last night, came back in and told me I had a leak. I lost probably about 1/2 gallon, filled the bottom of the keg cooler, and was leaking out onto the floor. So at first glance the beer was seeping through the top of the QD. I spun off the QD and replaced it, now the beer was collecting at the bottom of the post. So I disconnected again, and without the QD no seepage. Cleaned up the mess this morning, and rather than doing trial and error, I bled the pressure, took off the post and replaced the dip tube O-ring, the poppet, and the post O-ring. The post O-ring looked pretty banged up, and I bet that was what it was, but can not prove it due to all the new parts. All back together and holding tight now.So what I am getting at is what are the chances of a bad poppet? I bought a couple to keep on hand a couple years ago, and this is the second I replaced for peace of mind, but is the other one still good? If I remember when I break this keg down in the future, I will probably put the old poppet back in and keep an eye on it right away and see if that was even it. Good news is the Belgian blond tapped will probably not last too long so my experiment may be sooner than later!

[ColdAssHonky]

I've had to replace a few on my 9 kegs, but only when they had an obvious problem (leaking beer or gas). I now have a few on hand for emergencies.Good prices here: Brewer's Discount

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I switched out a keg yesterday afternnon, and hadnt been in the garage since. My buddy went out to grab a beer during the game last night, came back in and told me I had a leak. I lost probably about 1/2 gallon, filled the bottom of the keg cooler, and was leaking out onto the floor. So at first glance the beer was seeping through the top of the QD. I spun off the QD and replaced it, now the beer was collecting at the bottom of the post. So I disconnected again, and without the QD no seepage. Cleaned up the mess this morning, and rather than doing trial and error, I bled the pressure, took off the post and replaced the dip tube O-ring, the poppet, and the post O-ring. The post O-ring looked pretty banged up, and I bet that was what it was, but can not prove it due to all the new parts. All back together and holding tight now.So what I am getting at is what are the chances of a bad poppet? I bought a couple to keep on hand a couple years ago, and this is the second I replaced for peace of mind, but is the other one still good? If I remember when I break this keg down in the future, I will probably put the old poppet back in and keep an eye on it right away and see if that was even it. Good news is the Belgian blond tapped will probably not last too long so my experiment may be sooner than later!

do you use keg lube?

[ColdAssHonky]

do you use keg lube?

More importantly, do you use it on your kegs...

[RommelMagic]

I'd tend to think you would know if you needed a new poppet. Tell tale sign being bubbles or beer out of the out post around the poppet. For the gas post, spray it down with some Star San or something bubbly. Poppets would only really leak without a QD since the QD depresses the poppet when it's on. As far as the leak from the top of the QD, I had the same issue and just replaced the QD and threw out the leaking one.

[Thirsty]

As far as the leak from the top of the QD, I had the same issue and just replaced the QD and threw out the leaking one.

Well that is what tripped me up, I replaced the QD, and although it didnt leak from the top, it still leaked.I usuaully only use keg lube on the lid gasket, but this time I did lube the new O-ring figuring it would be dry, so I would give it more pliability. Looks like I should make that standard practice.

[gnef]

I have replaced a number of poppets on my kegs. I do have 80 kegs though. I now keep around 20 poppets on hand at least, just because I have cornelius, newer firestone, and older firestone kegs, a good mix of ball and pin lock.For me, I used to try to just use keg lube to fix it for the time being. I've since come to realize that I just need to replace the poppet for peace of mind, especially since I have so many kegs, and I need to address issues as they come up, otherwise I will forget and possibly ruin the next batch.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

Well that is what tripped me up, I replaced the QD, and although it didnt leak from the top, it still leaked.I usuaully only use keg lube on the lid gasket, but this time I did lube the new O-ring figuring it would be dry, so I would give it more pliability. Looks like I should make that standard practice.

I recommend using it every once in a while. I actually apply a small amount every time I keg to make sure everything seals up nice and I don't damage the rubber.

[3rd party JKor]

I don't think I've ever replaced a poppet. I do have one that I need to replace, but that's because it simply fell apart, not because of a leak. I have a few that I have to futz around with for them to seal properly, I'm pretty sure that's due to the posts having the wrong style of poppet in them. Not a big deal, I can always get them to seal and once the QD is on there it doesn't matter.I always put keg lube on the post o-rings, it's a friction fit so the lube will extend the life of the o-ring considerably. Plus it'll make the QD easier to put on and take off.