Editing Homebrewing (section)

==Kegs==
Homebrewers often use kegs for aging, filtering, and storing beer. These are seldom the standard kegs used by major brewers to transport draught beer to wholesalers, but instead are reconditioned [[Cornelius keg]]s (colloquially known as "corny kegs" or "cornies") that were originally manufactured to store [[Soft drink|soda]]; these vessels are much easier to fill, clean and maintain than standard beer kegs.<ref name="Westemeier">{{cite news |last=Westemeier|first=Ed|title=A Bottler's Guide to Kegging|newspaper=Zymurgy|date=Summer 1995}}</ref>

These kegs are stainless steel cylinders that hold approximately {{convert|5|usgal|L}} of liquid. The keg is filled with liquid via a removable hatch on the top, which is then closed and sealed. [[Carbon dioxide]] is added to pressurize the keg via an inlet port on the top and is facilitated by gently rocking the brew back and forth. Liquid is dispensed via an outlet port attached to a tube that extends to the bottom of the keg. '''Pin-lock''' and '''ball-lock''' fittings (or ''posts'') are the two types of couplings used on the inlet and outlet ports. Coke distributors used pin-lock fittings, while Pepsi distributors used ball-lock fittings. Ball-lock are most frequently encountered. The pin-lock style is sometimes referred to as a "Coke" keg or style and the ball-lock is sometimes referred to as a "Pepsi" keg or style though the fittings themselves are removable, serviceable, and contain interchangeable parts.<ref name="Westemeier"/>

Homebrewers sometimes use {{convert|15.5|usgal|L|adj=on}} commercial kegs (known as 1/2 kegs) for boiling vessels in creating wort. The kegs are drilled for a drain at the bottom, and the top cut open to create a large stainless steel cooking kettle. Many times, the piece of metal cut out of the top is re-used to create a false bottom for straining wort during the mashing process, as well as to strain the boiled wort when adding hops without using a mesh grain bag.<ref name="De Piro">{{cite news |last=De Piro|first=George|title=Do the Mash! The Equipment Needed to Move to All-Grain|url=http://www.brewingtechniques.com/library/backissues/issue6.5/depiro.html|newspaper=BrewingTechniques|date=September–October 1998}}</ref>

Alternatively, kegs specifically designed for home brewing are available. The capacity may be matched to commercial extract brewing kits; typically 12 and 23 litres. Smaller {{convert|2.5|usgal|L|adj=on}} kegs are also made for ease of transporting to a function.<ref name="De Piro"/>

Kegs may have residual pressure, and this must be vented to avoid having the valve explode and injure or kill a person as the valve shoots out.{{citation needed|date=March 2011}} Conventional {{convert|15.5|usgal|L|adj=on}} kegs have circle spring clips that can be removed to release the tap valve. Some kegs such as those used by Miller have threaded valves that are threaded into the keg, and after venting, can be opened by turning the valve counterclockwise using a piece of {{convert|1+3/4|in|mm|adj=mid|-wide}} metal inserted between the valve ears and turned with an adjustable wrench, or pipe wrench.{{citation needed|date=March 2011}} A "wonderbar" type of pry bar just happens to fit.{{citation needed|date=March 2011}} After the valve is loose it is still retained by a safety catch that must be pried inward. A simple valve seal depressing tool and a screwdriver with a {{convert|1/8|in|mm}} diameter shaft must be used to release the safety catch. See "How to remove a Miller threaded keg valve (not retained by a spiral ring)". The safety catch prevents the valve from releasing under pressure.{{citation needed|date=March 2011}}

It is not recommended that kegs be sanitised with bleach. To avoid unpleasant residuals, kegs are sanitised with an iodine- or oxygen-based sanitiser.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.birkocorp.com/brewery/white-papers/principles-of-cleaning-and-sanitizing/ | title=Principles of Cleaning and Sanitizing | publisher=Birko | date=March–April 2001 | access-date=18 June 2014 | author=Johnson, Dana}}</ref> Sanitisers like Star-San and B-Brite are commonly used.<ref>{{cite web|title=Disassemble, Cleaning and Sanitizing a Cornelius Style Keg|url=http://homebrewforums.net/discussion/40|access-date=24 April 2017}}</ref> The ball lock valves may be unscrewed using wrenches to allow further cleaning or replacement of O-rings or poppet valves.