Keg Failure Batch Losses - Weigh In Please

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by VikeMan, Jan 2, 2020.

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  1. TheBeerery

    TheBeerery Initiate (0) May 2, 2016 Minnesota

    1500.

    Maybe 1-2. It's really hard to lose a batch.
     
    #41 TheBeerery, Jan 7, 2020
  2. deadwolfbones

    deadwolfbones Pundit (795) Jun 21, 2014 Oregon

    1. I dunno, like 25?
    2. Zero.
     
    #42 deadwolfbones, Jan 8, 2020
  3. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Alright, Gents. It's been a week, so I crunched numbers. First, some notes...

    - I assumed 5 gallon batches unless stated otherwise (potentially overstating losses).
    - Where estimated ranges were stated, I used the midpoint of the range.
    - For partial losses specified in gallons, I calculated a fractional keg loss.
    - I did not include losses that were purely human error (e.g. a drunk guy leaving a faucet open).
    - I calculated losses with and without picnic tap losses (where stated). I was tempted to not count them at all, because picnic taps (IMO) have no place in a proper dispensing system, but I know others might feel differently. It is also possible that some of the stated losses were due to picnic tap fails, but not specified as picnic tap losses.
    - As the pollster, I did not include my own batches, but if I had, it would have increased the denominator without increasing the numerator.

    So, without further ado...
    Lost Kegs including Picnic Tap Losses: 15.1 of 4146, or 0.36%, or < 4 per thousand
    Lost Kegs not including Picnic Tap Losses: 12.1 of 4146, or 0.29%, or < 3 per thousand

    Frankly, I'm surprised that the losses were even this high. Reading through the posts, it's clear that some of them could have been avoided, but at the end of the day, a failure due to a worn part (even if it could/should have been replaced) is still an equipment failure.
     
    #43 VikeMan, Jan 9, 2020
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  4. riptorn

    riptorn Pooh-Bah (1,776) Apr 26, 2018 Georgia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Did any particular type of failure dominate? A cursory re-reading of the posts suggests poppets.
     
    #44 riptorn, Jan 9, 2020
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  5. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I didn't break it down that way, but I suspect you're right.
     
    #45 VikeMan, Jan 9, 2020
  6. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    FWIW that is the principle failure point mentioned in past BA threads and other communications I have had on this topic.

    Cheers!
     
    #46 JackHorzempa, Jan 9, 2020
  7. Naugled

    Naugled Pooh-Bah (1,944) Sep 25, 2007 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    Also, I would guess most of the kegs in the poll were probably used/refurbished so that may increase the poppet failure rate. The failure rate is probably lower with new cornies.
     
    #47 Naugled, Jan 9, 2020
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  8. PortLargo

    PortLargo Pooh-Bah (1,831) Oct 19, 2012 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    All of my 5'ers were used and I fiddle with the poppets a lot. I bought two 3 gal, new about 5 years ago, and other than cleaning have not touched the poppets.

    More Failures: I realize the polls are closed, but I had one structural failure on a corny (used of course). Had a gas leak that I just could not find amongst the usual suspects. Finally found a crack in the body where the exterior ss is mated to the rubber handle. This was above the beer line so only leaked CO2 . . . but would have been a disaster if lower. Fortunately some epoxy on the outside fixed it (still in service). Also, a couple of times when dh'ing the muslin bag has foul'ed the PRV. Once the bag is caught it's not coming out until you pop the lid. No beer lost but another undesirable cycle of opening things up. One of my lids is so worn down it only seals with an oversized o-ring . . . not a failure but another spare part to stock.
     
    #48 PortLargo, Jan 9, 2020
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  9. skivtjerry

    skivtjerry Pooh-Bah (1,865) Mar 10, 2006 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    1. I've been brewing just short of 33 years and started kegging about a year in, so I'll just say several hundred.

    2. Lost 5 batches, 1 to leakage and 4 to oxidation. Also had partial losses on 3 or 4 kegs due to slow leaks that were caught before total loss.

    I have also dumped 10 or so partial batches of lower ABV beers that went stale before they were drank up. I suppose this could fall under "oxidation".
     
    #49 skivtjerry, Jan 9, 2020
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  10. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    I think oxidation is a different thing, unless you are sure that keg failure caused it, as opposed to all the steps leading up to it. Even then it’s hard to account for as I think there are varying degrees of oxidation and there must be differences among us in how we perceive it. Some might not throw out the beer and some might not notice.
     
    #50 pweis909, Jan 17, 2020
  11. skivtjerry

    skivtjerry Pooh-Bah (1,865) Mar 10, 2006 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    I believe the oxidation was due to not being careful enough when kegging, so yes, a little different. Nowadays I keep a CO2 purge going the whole time a keg is being filled. Just 1-2 psi, better safe than sorry.
     
    #51 skivtjerry, Jan 19, 2020
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