How to Depressurize a Keg

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 21, 2022 References

It's important to depressurize a keg before or after use, especially if you don't have a tap to get out the beer. You can also depressurize the keg if you want to reuse it at a later time. To depressurize a keg, you need a flathead screwdriver as well as some pliers. With a little dedication and careful maneuvering, you should be able to depressurize a keg on your own.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Pressing Down on the Ball Pin

1
Bring your keg outside. Always depressurize your keg outside. A little beer will usually spurt out of the keg during the process. Due to the mess, it's a good idea to go outside and place the keg on a surface, such as pavement, that can be easily cleaned.^{[1]
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2
Locate the ball pin. Look at the top of the keg. At the center of the keg, there should be a rounded, circular metal pin stuck in the opening of the keg. This is the ball pin, that you will need to press down on to depressurize the keg.^{[2]
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3
Press a flat edge screwdriver on the ball pin. Take your flathead screwdriver. Gently press it against the ball pin. Very gently press the pin downward until you hear a sizzling sound, like when you open a bottle of soda. Pressure is being released from the keg.^{[3]
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4
Hold down the ball pin until all the pressure is released. Continue to press your screwdriver against the pin. Leave the screwdriver in place until the keg stops making the sizzling sound. Once the sound stops, the pressure has been released. You can then remove and discard the ball pin.^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Removing the Ring and Tube

1
Pry the retaining ring up with your screwdriver. A small metallic ring, called the retaining ring, will be circling the area outside where the ball pin was. Slip the head of your flathead screwdriver underneath the ring. Pry the ring upwards using your screwdriver so a portion of the ring detaches from the keg.^{[5]
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2
Pull out the ring using your pliers. Take a pair of needle nose pliers. Grasp onto the portion of the ring you loosened with the screwdriver. Use the pliers to pull the ring off the keg. You can then discard the ring.^{[6]
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3
Move the inner tube counterclockwise with a hammer. There will be a tube found underneath the ball pin and ring. Take a hammer and hook the claw onto one of the grooves on the side of the tube. Turn the tube counterclockwise.^{[7]
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4
Pull out the inner tube. After you've turned the tube counterclockwise a few times, it should be loose enough that you can simply pull it out of the keg. All you have to do is grab the tube with your hands and pull upward. It should easily lift from the keg. If the tube will not lift, use the hammer to turn it a few more times.^{[8]
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- You can discard the tube after removing it.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Taking Precautions

1
Wear old clothes. This is especially important if you're depressurizing a full keg. Kegs will spurt out beer during the process, which can get on your clothes. Always wear old clothes you don't mind dirtying when working with a keg.^{[9]
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2
Lean away from the keg when working. To reduce the likelihood of getting beer on yourself, lean away from the keg when working. With a full keg, you may want to turn the keg on its side.^{[10]
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- Keep in mind, when you turn the keg on its side, some beer will be lost as it will spill onto the ground.
3
Ask someone for help. It can be difficult to depressurize a keg alone. It is especially hard to depressurize a full keg, as they can be heavy. If possible, have someone help you so they can assist with moving the keg as necessary during the depressurizing process.^{[11]
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