From: rll@fizban.iol.unh.edu (Robert L. Lamothe)
Subject: 5L mini-keg FAQ
Organization: Interoperability Laboratory, UNH Durham


Hi all,
	There seems to be a much greater interest in the 5L mini-keg system here
lately.  Why don't all of us who've used these kegs put together a FAQ.  I've
had pretty good success with these things but I've never been able to get
a keg to stay carbonated, I've heard that there are some people who've been
able to accomplish this, so I'd like to know the secret.  So What do you all
say?  I'll start.

				5L Mini-Kegs

	The 5L mini-keg is the perfect thing for the person who wants to try
kegging for the first time.  Small, economicle and re-usable, mini-kegs store
easily, are easy to clean and can fit in a refrigerator during dispensing.
There are a few tips to keep in mind with these kegs:

        Priming:  When priming a 5L mini-keg use about 1/2 the normal amount 
                  for bottling.  This would be 1/3 cup Corn Sugar or 2/3
                  cup Dried Malt Extract for an entire 5 gallon batch.

	Taps:  Unless you plan on drinking an entire keg in one sitting, then it
	       is advisable to use a CO2 tap.  These can either be plastic or
     	       metal and use seltzer style CO2 cartridges for pressure.

	Tapping:  Draw off the first beer or two with the internal pressure from
                  Conditioning.  Then apply pressure in short bursts, putting
                  only enough CO2 into the keg to draw off another beer or two.
                  This method will allow you to get 1 to 1.5 kegs per 
	          cartridge.

	Cleaning:  Remove the rubber stopper from the keg, this can take quite
                   a bit of effort.  Fill the keg about 1/3 of the way with
                   water and then invert the keg over the sink letting the
                   water fall out.  The plastic bung will be pulled along with
                   the water and fall out into the sink.  Then put your 
		   jet-spray bottle washer on the faucet and blast the inside
                   of the keg to remove the slurry.  Re-fill the keg with water
                   and a teaspoon of bleach and let soak for a few minutes,
                   drain the keg and re-rinse with the jet-spray.  Allow to
		   dry inverted and replace the dust cover when fully dry.

	Sanitizing:  Add 1 Teaspoon of B-Brite (or similar) to each keg, fill
		     with warm water to the top and allow to sit for several
                     minutes.  Drain water and blast with a jet-spray bottle
                     washer to rinse.

	Filling:  Fill each keg to within an inch of the top, this is just about
                  the bottom of the top "band" on the keg.  Over filling the
                  keg will result in reduced carbonation levels.
-- 
* Robert L. Lamothe                           University of New Hampshire     *
* rll@unh.edu                                 Interoperablity lab room 330    *
*                                                                             *
* 2 wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts do.                                *