Is there lead in the stainless steel kegs?

AFAIK, not true. Lead welds in a pop keg? No way.

-------->Denny

agreed, aside from the harmful lead being a horrible idea to have around sodas, the 25-50 PSI most corny keg systems run under to push syrup through the tubing would blow a lead weld like a ford explorer blows firestone tires.

How old are you talking about. I work for a beverage company and transfer tanks that are still intact after 10 years is almost unheard of. They take a great deal of abuse. To answer your question, tanks are welded, not soldered. You should be fine. I know of no coating on transfer tanks.

I once had a hip-flask that was allegedly stainless steel, but which was soldered together. I discovered that when I saw the seam was wearing where the "weld" was exposed. I scraped at it with my pocket-knife, and the material came up in a soft curl of metal that could likely be a lead-based solder. I don't use that flask. The odd thing is - good stainless steel does not solder well. My flask (made in china and packaged with a bottle of Cutty Sark scotch) may have been a poor grade of stainless, or just tinned steel.

Anyway, if your keg has any exposed seams, see if they're lead.

Karl S.

I have had a lot of experience soldering and I can tell you that Stainless Steel is just about impossible to "Solder", Further, if a keg is used for pressurized service, a standard 60/40 solder wouldn't hold against the pressure (Same reason that A/C guys actually braze your copper pipes using silver solder rather than the lead type) If I remember correctly a beer keg has to be pressure tested at least to 300 psi ( may be wrong on that but don't think so)

Good luck Richard