PBST and geemacher kegs

[dereknobleluke]

Anyone out there know why microstar wouldn't purchase PBST or Geemacher kegs? They wouldn't give me a direct answer! I heard that PBST kegs do not have a great safety mechanism on them and unthread easily from two folks I have spoken to. But I do not think they are using micromatic valves--instead they made their own without a "catch pin"...

just askin other's experience with them....

D LUKE

[redlodge.sam]

I bought some geeemacher kegs and magnets stick to them. Wont do that again. You get what you pay for.

Cheers,

Sam

[BrewItBetter]

I have orered a sample keg from China - almost all the kegs I've seen ordered from china are exactly the same - and I too have noticed that the chimes do not "clip" in like you would expect. They do come unthreaded and will pop out.

[kegs.pbst]

When using the right hand tools, there is no issues of using our kegs.
The screw-in type of kegs are very common and popular in Europe and Asia.
The common issue for brewers who are not familiar with this type of keg valve may not aware of the use of right hand tool to tighten the keg valves. Our keg vavles are generic and no difference than other brands except the price.

We also offer keg valves with the safety lock hooks.

Please feel free to contact us for clarification.

[BigChoice]

I bought some geeemacher kegs and magnets stick to them. Wont do that again. You get what you pay for.

Cheers,

Sam

While I agree with your statement about you get what you pay for, most people do not understand that plain 304 stainless still has some carbon content, and therefore will show properties of being "magnetic". However, this does not indicate an inferior product by itself.

After the "working" of the material into shape it will have even more attributes showing carbon steel properties with regards to being "magnetic". Especially in the formed features, like the ribs and rings at the top and bottom, the stainless will exhibit more "magnetic" properties.

I have several kegs in the brewhouse right now, and using a rare earth magnet the magnet sticks to them all. Even more so on the ribs. One of which is even an old AB keg. Granted the same magnet would stick to any SAE 1xxx grade carbon steel so well you would have to pry it off.

Nathaniel

[dereknobleluke]

Buddy of mine just bought some geemachers here in RI. And further follow up with PBST shows that you can order these kegs with either micromatic spears or PBSTS with the safety pin/catch--you just have to specifiy it! I have experience with PBST tanks and the quality of the stainless seems great. The welds are quite smooth as well. So if the kegs are the same quality as the tanks, I dont see why you wouldn't trust them with beer!

[oldworldbrewery]

The simple answer to your question is they wont buy China kegs. Its just a Policy that they use, they have no china kegs in their fleet and do not buy them for their new inventory. thats it,, all the other things said here are valid and I am sure the Kegs from Gee and PB are very serviceable.

[millerag]

Just wanted to point out that we have new Geemacher Kegs and have not had a problem.

[dereknobleluke]

I know this is an old answer, but I stumbled across it and I have disagree with the previouse responses, the level of magnetism that stainless steel exhibts has nothing to do with the "quality" of the stainless. It is not a question of the "quality" of the stainles, but rather what type of stainless. Many types of stainless are highly magnetic, it is only the "Austenitic" stainless groups that are not magnetic. The austenitic stainless group is 18-8 steel, AKA "300" series like 301, 302, 304, 316 etc... Most stainless steel average folks run into (appliances, store bought bolts, etc..) is a 300 series steel, hence the myth that "ALL" stainless steel is not magnetic. The 400 series of stainless is magnetic, so an object made with 430 stainless will be attracted to a magnet. It is by no means a "lesser" grade, it is just a different grade. Interstingly, if you coldwork a piece of 304 stainless (like a medical instrument), it will become magnetic. So if you are constantly bending or flexing the instrument it will gradually become magnetic and hold a magnetic charge. If you stress relieve the material, by heating it (over 700 degrees,) it will once again lose its magnetic properties. If you need to avoid the cold-worked magnetism quality, use 316 stainless not 304 stainless.

[Lagergnome]

If you need to avoid the cold-worked magnetism quality, use 316 stainless not 304 stainless.

Thanks Derek...good info. The 400 series stainless is usually stronger than 304 & 316, but is magnetic. The 304/316 Stainless is used in the food industry primarily for it's resistance to chemicals. If you want go geek on this subject, start with a table of the differences between stainless grades from McMaster Carr: http://www.mcmaster.com/#about-stainless-steel/=hhm9y6