Hands on Review: AMCYL Ball Lock Kegs!
Updated: November 24, 2024
AMCYL manufacturers compressed gas cylinders, kegs and brewing equipment.
According to AMCYL, as of this posting, their kegs are made of food grade 304 stainless and are NSF approved. They produce both sanke and ball lock style kegs. Their ball lock kegs are available in 2.5, 3 and 5 gallon sizes and come in single and double handle versions. This is a hands on look at the double rubber handle 5 gallon keg.
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Reconditioned kegs start out at just $42.95 while brand new kegs start at just $69.95.
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Hands on Review AMCYL Ball Lock Kegs
Here’s the box. This particular keg is showing as part # CK-N5-DRH-INX. Capacity 5 Gallons. Made in India.
A look at the seam side of the keg. Generally speaking the body of a keg is cut from a sheet of stainless steel. A rectangle is bent into a cylinder and then welded. This vertical line is that weld.
Close up of the T, where the vortical weld meets the top most weld.
Top down view
Single Handle vs Double Handle: There are two main styles of keg handles – double rubber handles and single strap handles. I prefer double handles because… you’ve got two handles 🙂 and, more importantly, the even top means you can invert a keg to drain or dry and potentially stack kegs. Single strap handle kegs are tougher to invert, but they’re also generally a little less expensive.
Check Current Prices, Models and Availability, Review Continues Below:
- AMCYL Kegs at Beverage Elements
- 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg – Dual Handle – New – AMCYL << The specific model reviewed in this post
- 3 Gallon Ball Lock Keg – Dual Handle – New – AMCYL
- 2.5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg – Dual Handle – New – AMCYL << also included in this review
- 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg – Single Handle – New – AMCYL
- 3 Gallon Ball Lock Keg – Single Handle – New – AMCYL
- 2.5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg – Single Handle – New – AMCYL
- AMCYL Kegs at cornykeg.com
- 5 GAL AMCYL PEPSI STYLE BALL LOCK KEG << The specific model reviewed in this post
- 3 Gal AMCYL Keg – Ball Lock
- NEW 2.5 GALLON AMCYL PEPSI STYLE KEG
- 5 Gal AMCYL Ball Lock Keg – Strap
- New 3 Gallon AMCYL Keg – Strap
- New 2.5 Gallon AMCYL Keg << also included in this review
- AMCYL Kegs at Keg Outlet
- AMCYL – 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg w/ Rubber Top Dual Handle (New) << The specific model reviewed in this post
- AMCYL – 2.5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg w/ Rubber Top Dual Handle (New)
- AMCYL Kegs at MoreBeer
- KOMOS® Homebrew Keg – 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg KEG685 << made by AMCYL
- AMCYL Kegs at Keg Connection
- Search Amazon for “AMCYL Keg” – offerings vary
- New 5 Gallon Ball Lock AMCYL Keg with Dual Rubber Handle << The specific model reviewed in this post
- New 3 Gallon Ball Lock AMCYL Keg with Dual Handle
- AMCYL New 2.5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg with Dual Rubber Handle
- AMCYL New 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg with Single Handle
- Home Brew Ohio CKN3-SH Varies – AMCYL 3 gal Keg New Ball Lock Beer, Soda or Tea, Silver
- 2.5 Gallon Amcyl Keg New Ball Lock Single Handle << also include in this review
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Close up of the keg imprint. Model No. K2009(20. Max Capacity: 5 Gallons. Mad in India. Part # CK-N5-DRH-INX. Imported by AMCYL, LTD. Warning, Never Exceed Maximum Working Pressure of 130 PSI.
Tip: If you’re looking for replacement parts look for your keg’s imprint. It should show the manufacturer and model number.
Food Grade Keg O-rings in Bulk!
A look at where the top handle connects to the keg body. This also shows you a look at the top most weld.
A closer look at the stainless keg body. This keg has more of a matte finish compared to a polished finish on something like an AEB keg.
A look at the bottom of the keg. It’s nice and beefy. It did have a film on it. That wiped off easily enough.
Related: DuoTight Ball Lock QDs – lower clearance to allow double handle kegs to stack
A side view of the bottom of the keg. These notches are designed to allow for airflow. That’s a great thing. You can also get a good look at the bottom most weld.
A look at one of the keg posts
This keg features 6 point 11/16″ posts. See: Hands on Review: “Ball Lock Keg Wrench” – 11/16″+7/8″ Ratcheting Wrench
The lid. Reads Maximum Working Pressure 130 PSI. Reminder… never exceed rated pressures on any component in your system.
More About Keg Lids: One difference between Pin Lock and Ball Lock kegs is the type of lids that come with each. Ball Locks, generally, have a manual PRV valve, while Pin Locks do not. Ball Lock style lids are, in my opinion, superior because the manual PRV allows you to easily vent your keg as needed. The good news is that, for standard kegs, the lids are the same size and can be interchanged. That means you can use a Ball Lock style lid in a Pin Lock Keg. See: What’s the Difference Between Ball Lock Kegs and Pin Lock Kegs?
The lid on my keg was…tight. You can see the keg lid feet scuffing the top of the keg. I would rather have it too tight than too loose. My guess is that over time these will loosen up a little so the lid is easier to get on. The scuff is just plastic and can be cleaned off.
Underside of the lid
I’m not sure if you can pick it up, but the posts on this keg are slightly angled. My guess is that this is not a build quality issue, that it’s by design and related to the angle that the straight dip tube needs to be to hit the center of the keg. But, I will say that it looks a little wonky. No real effect on the function of the keg, just something I would normally expect to be straight.
Like a lot of kegs these days, this AMCYL keg features universal poppets. Related: Universal Poppet Tips & Trick
Since doing my post on reconditioning kegs, I’ve gotten into the habit of immediately replacing all o-rings with Valuebrew Food Grade Gaskets. I use green and blue for the posts to make identification quick and easy… green = gas, blue = beer. It’s worth noting that this isn’t something you have to do, I prefer food grade silicone and the color-coding and I have these on hand since I picked them up in bulk. Very little cost on a per o-ring basis making these upgrades.
Upgrading o-rings
Green Gas O-Ring installed. Functionally, these are identical to the blue, gray and black options. But “Green for Gas” is meant to be a quick reminder so you can identify these.
Blue Liquid Out O-Ring Installed. “Blue for Beer”
Since doing my keg reguild post Valuebrew has introduced a second custom color scheme options. Gray and Black o-rings. As the picture indicates these are designed to match standard gray and black keg QDs. These have become standard colors on ball lock, pin lock (usually the bottom portion of the QD) and even recently released Kegland QDs (center portion).
A look inside the keg. You can see the straight liquid out dip tube. Some of the welds on this keg are less than A+ in my opinion, but the inside is where it really counts. and this looks great.AMCYL’s double rubber handle ball lock keg!
AMCYL Strap Handle 2.5 Gallon Kegs (more photos at the end of this review)
AMCYL makes single handle and double handle kegs in 5, 3 and 2.5 gallon sizes. Here is the single handle 2.5 gallon version.
A look at the keg imprint. It includes the NSF seal, Model No: K1009(1), Max Capacity: 2.5 Gallons, IIPL Made in India, 866-249-8196, Park#(CK1-N2.5-INX), Imported by AMCYL, LT, Warning Never Exceed Maximum Working Pressure of 130 PSI.
The keg build quality is very similar to the 5 gallon double handle keg. See end of this review for more photos.
AMCYL Keg Dimensions
- Dual Handle 5 Gallon Ball Lock – 8.50″ diameter x 25″ height < the keg reviewed in this post
- Dual Handle 3 Gallon Ball Lock – 8.75″ diameter x 16″ height
- Single Strap Handle 5 Gallon Ball Lock – 8.75 diameter x 25.5″ height
- Single Strap Handle 3 Gallon Ball Lock – 8.75″ diameter x 16.25″ height
- Single Strap Handle 2.5 Gallon Ball Lock – 8.75″ diameter x 14.25″ height
Conclusions
This is a good quality keg. I really like that it’s NSF certified. It does have a couple fit and finish issues as outlined in this review. Those are cosmetic and shouldn’t affect the function of these kegs in every day use. Like many things, your decision on which keg to buy will probably be influenced by cost vs quality and features. At the right price, these are a great option.
Check Current Prices, Models and Availability, More Photos Below:
- AMCYL Kegs at Beverage Elements
- 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg – Dual Handle – New – AMCYL << The specific model reviewed in this post
- 3 Gallon Ball Lock Keg – Dual Handle – New – AMCYL
- 2.5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg – Dual Handle – New – AMCYL << also included in this review
- 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg – Single Handle – New – AMCYL
- 3 Gallon Ball Lock Keg – Single Handle – New – AMCYL
- 2.5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg – Single Handle – New – AMCYL
- AMCYL Kegs at cornykeg.com
- 5 GAL AMCYL PEPSI STYLE BALL LOCK KEG << The specific model reviewed in this post
- 3 Gal AMCYL Keg – Ball Lock
- NEW 2.5 GALLON AMCYL PEPSI STYLE KEG
- 5 Gal AMCYL Ball Lock Keg – Strap
- New 3 Gallon AMCYL Keg – Strap
- New 2.5 Gallon AMCYL Keg << also included in this review
- AMCYL Kegs at Keg Outlet
- AMCYL – 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg w/ Rubber Top Dual Handle (New) << The specific model reviewed in this post
- AMCYL – 2.5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg w/ Rubber Top Dual Handle (New)
- AMCYL Kegs at MoreBeer
- KOMOS® Homebrew Keg – 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg KEG685 << made by AMCYL
- AMCYL Kegs at Keg Connection
- Search Amazon for “AMCYL Keg” – offerings vary
- New 5 Gallon Ball Lock AMCYL Keg with Dual Rubber Handle << The specific model reviewed in this post
- New 3 Gallon Ball Lock AMCYL Keg with Dual Handle
- AMCYL New 2.5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg with Dual Rubber Handle
- AMCYL New 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg with Single Handle
- Home Brew Ohio CKN3-SH Varies – AMCYL 3 gal Keg New Ball Lock Beer, Soda or Tea, Silver
- 2.5 Gallon Amcyl Keg New Ball Lock Single Handle << also include in this review
More Photos of 2.5 Gallon Strap Handle AMCYL Keg
In the boxA look at the kegClose up of the keg imprint
Top down view
A close look at the strap handle
A look inside
Another look inside
A look at the liquid out post
A look at the gas in post
This keg features 6 point 11/16″ posts. See: Hands on Review: Craftsman Deep Well Sockets for Ball Lock Keg Posts
A look at the gas in threading. This keg has in and out stamped on each side.
A look at the beer out threading. Again, you can see this side is stamped on the keg body.
Like a lot of kegs these days, this AMCYL keg features universal poppets. Related: Universal Poppet Tips & Trick
Close up of the keg lid. This shows a maximum working pressure of 130 psi. Guessing this PRV will vent well before that, but that’s only a guess I haven’t tested it. Either way, never exceed the stated max pressure on any component in your draft system.
A look at the lid. I like this style of bale. It makes it easy to hang the lid off one of the keg posts.
A look at the top weld
A look at the bottom weld and the base
A look at the bottom of the base
This keg is featured in my step by step on preparing brand new kegs for first time use.
Should I buy a New Keg or a Used Keg?
Used kegs are generally sourced from soda bottlers. They are built with commercial use in mind and designed to last for many years of rough duty service.
Brand new ball locks may not be made to the same standards. However… We also don’t generally put our kegs through the same abuse that a soda distributor would.
Not withstanding price. I think both options are valid. If you’re up for a little elbow grease and replacing a few parts, used may be the way to go, if you’re more interested in convenience brand new is a good choice. Practically, at least as of this posting, I think price will cause many to go the used route.
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Special thanks to Keg Outlet for providing the 5 gallon keg used for evaluation in this review. Thanks to Beverage Elements for providing the 2.5 gallon keg used for evaluation in this review.
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.
Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application. Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application. Always read and follow manufacturer directions. tag:lnksfxd 5.1.22 review:amcylkeg #tag:tpr