Updated: January 9, 2025
The containers we call Ball Lock and Pin Lock Kegs come from the soda industry. Also called Cornelius Kegs, Corny Kegs and Corney Kegs, they were originally intended to store and distribute soda pre-mix. The big soda companies decided on different style containers for their pre-mix. Pepsi landed on the Ball Lock style while Coke uses the Pin Lock style.
Homebrewers have since re-purposed these as homebrew beer kegs. It makes sense. These high quality stainless steel beverages that are meant for years of commercial food use. They’re also tough, can be had for cheap and are easy to move around.
What if someone said there was a pressure capable, heavy duty stainless steel fermenter that could be had for 50 bucks or so?
Great news…. kegs make great fermenters! Same high quality, stainless steel construction, toughness and easy portability, but this time used for fermentation.
Lots More About Kegs
But First, How Do you Convert a Keg to a Fermenter?
One issue needs to be addressed to convert kegs into fermenters… handling CO2 produced by fermentation. Kegs are generally designed to be airtight. Fermentation requires that we allow excess CO2 to escape. I can think of three options…
- Use a converted lid to add a stopper and airlock – Cornelius Keg Lid for Secondary Fermenter Include Silicone Stopper and Air Lock
- A blow-off tube. Remove the gas post or gas post poppet and get use tight fitting tubing to route CO2 to a container of sanitizer.
- Use a Spunding Valve
These have a hole that’s designed to accommodate the included stopper and airlock. That allows you use a Cornelius Keg as a fermenter. Use a 5 gallon keg as a secondary for a 5 gallon batch, use a 5 gallon keg as a primary fermenter for smaller batches or use a 10 gallon Cornelius Keg as a fermenter for 5 gallon+ batches.
These should fit standard ball lock and pin lock kegs.
Cornelius Keg Lid for Secondary Fermenter Include Silicone Stopper and Air Lock – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
Keg Fermenter Sizing
A five gallon keg isn’t really suitable for a primary fermenter for a 5 gallon batch. You could use it as a secondary for a full 5 gallon batch, as a primary fermenter for smaller batches (maybe 3 to 4 gallons max) or you could split 5 gallon batches between two kegs.
There is a 6 gallon keg available that should allow you to ferment a 5 gallon batch.
10 and 15 gallon size ball locks have become readily available at relatively reasonable prices. A 10 gallon keg could easily accommodate a full 5 gallon batch (up to 7 or 8 gallons) while a 15 gallon keg should be able to easily handle a 10 gallon batch (up to 12 or 13 gallons).
Limited Time DEAL – on outstanding sale on 15 gallon ball locks!
Torpedo Keg | Ball Lock Keg | Stainless Steel Corny Keg | 15 gal.
More Info
From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:
This used Torpedo ball lock 15 gallon keg has the same great features and superior quality as its predecessors, and will allow large-scale homebrewers to fit their entire batch into a single keg. These kegs are laser welded by an ISO certified commercial keg manufacturer, so you won’t find any nooks or crannies for contaminants to hide. Made with rolled stainless steel handles that are comfortable to grab. “In” and “Out” are etched near the keg posts for a quick and mistake-free set up when connecting lines in a refrigerator or kegerator. The 15 gallon kegs can be stacked on top of each other with ball lock fittings still attached.
Specifications:
Total Capacity: 15.2 gal.
Max Pressure: 130 psi
PRV Rating: 85 psi
Height: 24.75″
Diameter: 16.05″
Made from 304 Stainless Steel
Shipping Box Dimensions: 25-3/4″ H x 18″ L x 18″ W
Weight: 32.16 lbs
These kegs are used but in excellent condition. I have a good number of these but when they are gone they are gone and tough to find. They have only been rinsed and examined during refurbishing so Corny Keg recommends that you clean and sanitize before use. The kegs pictured are stock photos of new kegs but these used kegs look great and will perform like new or we will take them back.
- cornykeg,com has a limited number of used 15 gallon Torpedo Ball Locks.
- These are are on sale for just $135. That’s over $100 off list and a bargain for a 15 gallon keg!
- Quantities are limited, check the product page to see if you can still get in on this.
Used Torpedo 15 Gallon Ball Lock Corny Keg
Hands on Review! Check out my in depth Hands on Review of the 10 gallon version of this keg.
Compare, New at MoreBeer: Torpedo Ball Lock Keg – 15 gal. KEG815
Five Unique Benefits to Using Converted Keg Fermenter!
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