"Bill Velek" <billvelek@alltel.net> wrote in message
news:4e266$459043c1$a22836db$15222@ALLTEL.NET...[color=blue]
> My kids just gave me a kegging system for Christmas, with the option of
> exchanging out whatever I need at our local homebrewshop ... since the[/color]
kids[color=blue]
> weren't really sure what they were getting. Anyway, they gave me the
> regulator (two gauges on it so I assume that it is a dual-pressure[/color]
system),[color=blue]
> hoses, CO2 bottle, etc., plus a themostat and instructions for converting[/color]
a[color=blue]
> freezer, and one reconditioned 5-gallon 'Pepsi' cornie keg. Before I do
> anything with this stuff, I'm looking for suggestions/advice regarding[/color]
which[color=blue]
> variety of keg is better -- pin-lock or ball-lock? I'm speaking now about
> maintenance problems as well as availability of additional kegs and
> replacement parts.[/color]

I have found pin lock easier to use. They seem to go on-off easier.
Sometimes the ball-lock fittings seem to bind a bit. Lubrication
might help this. It is also easier to tell the "in" from the "out" with the
pin-lock. Also, the pin-lock kegs I have use a commonly available
o-ring for the poppet seal rather than a specially shaped seal, so poppet
replacement might be less frequent.

All that said, I have several of each, and dual hoses on the CO2
to fit either, and a few of each for taps. Either keg does the job.
Whatever is most common in your area is probably best, but
don't turn down a freebie just because it is different. Hose fittings
are cheaper than kegs.

Bob