A ball lock keg, also known as a Cornelius keg, is a type of keg that uses a unique locking mechanism to secure gas and liquid connections. The name “ball lock” comes from the small ball bearings that are used in the locking mechanism.
To understand how a ball lock keg works, let’s first look at the gas and liquid connections. The keg has two fittings on the top: one for gas-in and one for liquid-out. These fittings are where you attach your gas and liquid lines to deliver the desired gas or liquid into the keg.
Now, let’s focus on the locking mechanism itself. On the gas-in and liquid-out fittings, there are small rings with ball bearings placed around them. These ball bearings are free to move within the ring, creating a sort of “lock” that secures the fittings in place.
When connecting a gas or liquid line to the keg, you simply push the fitting onto the corresponding gas-in or liquid-out fitting on the keg. As you push the fitting onto the keg, the ball bearings are pushed inward, allowing the fitting to lock into place. This locking mechanism ensures a secure and leak-free connection.
To disconnect the gas or liquid line from the keg, you need to release the ball lock mechanism. This is done by pulling on a small release ring located on the fitting. When you pull the release ring, it moves the ball bearings outward, releasing the lock and allowing you to remove the fitting from the keg.
One advantage of ball lock kegs is that they are relatively easy to connect and disconnect, making them popular among homebrewers and beer enthusiasts. The ball lock mechanism provides a secure connection that prevents leaks during carbonation and dispensing.
It’s worth noting that ball lock kegs are not the only type of kegs available. Another common type is the pin lock keg. Pin lock kegs use a different locking mechanism, where pins on the fittings secure the gas and liquid lines to the kegs. Pin lock kegs typically have two pins for gas-in and three pins for liquid-out connections.
A ball lock keg is a type of keg that uses a ring of ball bearings to secure gas and liquid connections. The ball lock mechanism provides a secure and leak-free connection, making it a popular choice among homebrewers and beer enthusiasts.