For homebrewers ready to take their craft to the next level, corny kegs are an essential upgrade. These stainless steel kegs allow you to store, carbonate, and serve your homebrewed beers just like the pros. While corny kegs can seem intimidating at first, they’re quite simple once you understand the basic components and functions. This beginner’s guide will demystify corny kegs so you can start brewing and pouring pints from the comfort of your home. We’ll cover the benefits of corny kegs, help you choose your first system, and provide tips for cleaning, sanitizing, and troubleshooting common issues. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to conquer corny kegs!
Also known as “Cornelius kegs”, corny kegs are stainless steel containers originally designed to store and dispense soda. The homebrewing community discovered that they’re also perfect vessels for fermenting, carbonating, storing, and serving homemade beers. For 5-gallon batches, a 5-gallon corny keg is recommended. 3-gallon kegs work well for smaller batches. Consider how much beer you brew most often. Corny kegs can be used to ferment, naturally carbonate, store, and dispense homemade beers. They provide a closed system that protects beer from oxygen and maintains carbonation.
Cylindrical body: Usually made of stainless steel and comes in 5-gallon or 3-gallon sizes. Holds a finished beer.
Lid: Fits atop the body and has connectors for gas and liquid lines. Allows keg to be pressurized.
Dip tube: Extends from an outlet at the bottom of the keg up to near the top. Draw beer from the bottom of the keg.
Gas post: Located on the center of the lid and connected to the gas line. Used to pressurize kegs with CO2.
Liquid post: Located off-center on the lid and connects to the beer line. Beer flows out through this post.
Relief valve: Safety mechanism that releases pressure if over-pressurized.
Handles: Allows kegs to be carried and mounted to taps.
1. Minimizes oxygen exposure: Less oxidation than bottling resulting in longer-lasting beer.
2. Easier to maintain carbonation: Holds pressure and carbonation better than bottles.
3. Portability: 5 gal kegs weigh 15-20 lbs empty. Easily transported and connected to taps.
4. Reusable and durable: Stainless steel lasts indefinitely with proper care. No need to buy bottles.
5. Variable serving: Can pour pints or fill growlers. Serving pressure adjusts flow.
6. Space saving: Holds equivalent of 55 bottles of beer in a 5 gal keg.
If you’re sold on the benefits of corny kegs, the next step is selecting your first system. Here are some tips:
Size - Consider how much beer you brew. 5 gal kegs are standard, but 3 gal kegs are great for smaller batches.
New vs Used - New kegs are pricier but easier to clean and sanitize. Used kegs are cheaper but require more work to clean.
Single vs Multiple - Start with one new 5 gal keg if you brew 5 gal batches. Get multiples later as needed.
Components - Ensure all posts, lids, handles, and o-rings are intact. Replace any worn parts.
Refurbished - A great way for beginners to save money on quality reconditioned kegs.
Complete Kit - Kits with hoses, clamps, fittings, and valves make the first setup easy.
There are many creative ways to reuse these durable kegs beyond their original purpose.
They can be turned into rain barrels, used to brew homemade beer or soda, converted into kegerators or jockey boxes for parties, made into outdoor grills or smokers, used as water troughs for livestock, turned into unique end tables or stools, crafted into drums or musical instruments, utilized for dry storage of grains or other foods, transformed into tiny greenhouses, employed as feed buckets for horses, recycled into planters for an urban garden, or repurposed into a unique water feature or fountain.
With some imagination, the possibilities are nearly endless for reusing old corny kegs.
| Ball lock | Pin lock |
|---|---|
| Ball lock kegs are taller and skinnier | Pin lock kegs are shorter and wider. |
| A ball lock keg dimensions are approximately 25” tall x 8.5” in diameter. | While pin lock kegs are approx 22” tall x 9” in diameter. |
| Another difference is that ball lock kegs have a pressure relief valve (PRV) on the keg lid. | While pin lock kegs typically do not have a pressure relief valve (PRV) on the keg lid. |
While corny kegs may seem complicated for beginners, have no fear! Now that you understand the basic components, functions, and benefits, you can start conquering kegging like a pro. Carefully choose your first keg, configure a simple draft system, and maintain cleaning and sanitation practices. Got kegging questions? Reach out to experienced homebrewers for tips. With your newfound knowledge, you’ll be pouring perfect pints in no time.
Want to start kegging your homebrew like a pro? INOXCVA offers the highest quality stainless steel corny kegs to take your craft to the next level.
As the leading manufacturer of stainless steel kegs, INOXCVA uses superior welding technology and food-grade stainless steel to deliver corny kegs that are built to last through years of use.
Whether you need a brand new 5-gallon corny keg or a reconditioned used keg at a great value, INOXCVA has you covered. Their kegs come complete with all O-rings, lid gaskets, handles, and hardware for quick and easy setup.
INOXCVA also provides a full range of corny keg accessories including replacement parts, racking canes, and tap handles to complete your home draft system. Their innovative "New Gen" keg coupler design makes connecting gas and beer lines a breeze.
Bring the pub home with a quality stainless steel corny keg from the experts at INOXCVA. Visit their website today to choose your perfect keg and get pouring! Cheers!
Sources: Beverage Craft , Draftbeer Dispense & Northern Brewer.
