I’m getting ready to start kegging. Should I go with Ball lock or Pin lock?
Go with whichever you can find cheapest. I started out with a dozen free pinlocks, then someone gave me ten ball locks. Being cheap I didn’t argue with the gift but I did have to make some alterations on my hose ends so I could easily switch between keg types.
Ball lock kegs are taller and narrower, pin locks are shorter but have a bigger diameter so the space you have in your kegerator can be an issue. One thing I love about my pinlock kegs is that it is not possible to put a gas connector on the beer post, but you can do that with a ball lock keg and when you do it’s really hard to get it back off without destroying something.
either is fine, but I’d suggest you pick one and stick with it. that simplifies your connection/hardware issues. now that said, I’ve got some of each. Once in a while, I think about trading one or the other off to get down to one type… but haven’t actually done that yet.
You could always use threaded connectors v.s. barbed so it is a snap to switch out keg connectors between ball and pin. It gives you more options as the two types start to get rare.
I’ve got both. I prefer the pin-lock for ease of identification and the secure feeling that you’ve got the connection on right, but most people look at me funny when I want to use them out in public. Ball locks are more acceptable (as a general rule) in the real world, meaning that almost every brewer has ball locks, but not so much with pin locks.
It’s pretty easy to have a T off the CO2 bottle with one of each on a hose to carb up your kegs and a mix of picnic taps with both to serve the beer.
Thanks everyone. went ahead and ordered a set up with ball locks.