A Cornelius keg ball lock is usually the best choice. This is a newer type of lock that allows releasing the pressure from a keg manually. This is a convenient option in addition to the automatic pressure relief. Even after settling with this kind of lock, some brewers might be unsure about the best size for a keg. There are a few different keg sizes with ball locks, and each of them can be suitable for different purposes.
Ball Lock Keg Sizes & Dimensions
Kegs with a ball lock come in a few different sizes. Their dimensions differ based on the volume of beer or wine they can fit in. Here are a few common ball lock kegs usually picked by brewers:
- 1,5-gallon – this is the smallest keg of the bunch. Such a tiny keg is perfect for small batches of beer or wine. It is mostly convenient for personal use.
- 2,5-gallon – a slightly larger ball lock keg. It is still quite compact and easy to move around.
- 5-gallon – when thinking of Cornelius keg, this one comes to mind. A “Corny” keg is a staple that serves more than 50 bottles of beer.
- 10-gallon – the biggest one of these ball lock kegs. This keg is fitting for those brewers who prefer making big batches.
The smallest one is roughly 220 by 230 mm, while the largest one is about 470 by 410 mm.
What Size Ball Lock Keg Do I Need?
The size of the keg depends purely on each individual’s requirements. In case you want to try brewing for the first time, you can choose the smallest keg for convenience. Larger kegs serve more people by fitting more volume. Make sure to learn about how long beer can be stored in a keg if you plan on getting a big one.
