I noticed this listing on ebay today:
That’s the best price I’ve seen to date on new kegs.
Disclaimer-wise: I have nothing to do with this listing. I have bought other kegging equipment from the seller, Beverage Factory, in the past with good results.
Ask for a picture of the inside before you buy - I have some that look really similar on the outside. The inside is fine except the bottom has a punt like a champagne bottle but the diptube goes to the center, so there is still a cup or so of liquid left in the bottom after the keg kicks. It’s not necessarily a problem, just something to be aware of.
Even cheaper if you buy two and also available at Amazon…
As much as 8oz? Even so I would certainly buy- including that bonus punt is a clever feature. Clearly to me these tupe kegs are designed with homebrewers in mind.
I think they make nice fermenters, or if you tend to keg beer before it is totally clear, or if you naturally carbonate in kegs. I had not measured how much they retain too carefully, so I just did with one empty I have - dumped some water in, pushed it out with CO2 until it was spitting, then measured what was left. Just over 14 oz.
I agree that they are designed with homebrewers in mind, but it is obvious where cost cutting measures were used and they are just not as nice as cornies. The handles are uncomfortable when the keg is full, the punt in the middle, which is fine really, but the diptube should go down to the bottom of the edge then, not the center. Little things like that. I don’t regret buying them, i just think they could be better.
I wonder if you could swap out for a straight dip tube. I have a few cornies with straight dip tubes. Maybe just a simple swap.
The LHBS had some early examples for evaluation, in addition to Tom’s comments, the interior weld surfaces were not to the quality I was used to seeing. Maybe they have gotten better.
I think the easiest fix is to attach a little bit of tubing to the end of the diptube - it would be annoying but cheap.
The inside welds on the ones I have look fine to me, but I’m not an expert.
I guess that might keep your beer clearer though, especially if you move it around. Yeast would settle away from the dip tube.
Or pull it out and straighten it. Might not get to the bottom, but should be a little lower.