Keg boilers

brew · June 13, 2011, 12:09:36 PM

If anyone is interested in using / converting a 50L SS Keg (Sanke) into a boiler, I know a fellow who has about a dozen of them, $75 each...

Jmac00 · June 13, 2011, 12:40:46 PM

Not trying to be a prick, but that's pretty pricey IMO....as they usually go for much less.

Richard · June 13, 2011, 12:47:11 PM

Was gonna say... my 40Qt aluminium pot cost quite a bit less than that iirc.

Kyle · June 13, 2011, 12:59:41 PM

15.5 gallon keg for $75 seems reasonable to me, if you can get a better deal, even better.

So can the tops of these thinks be opened and ground down to non-sharpness with a drill, hacksaw, and file?

If so I might want one.

brew · June 13, 2011, 01:21:05 PM

Indeed aluminum is much cheaper... but if you're looking for Stainless, a 50L pot is extremely expensive.

As for kegs - I don't really know of any sources for them other than the ones I'm mentioning, unless you order them from the Internet. For example:

http://www.chicompany.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=375_38_331&products_id=168&zenid=861ade599951e037d68dc295b4bb27e2

Those ones are sold out but you get the idea...

I don't know of any other sources within driving distance...

Jmac00 · June 13, 2011, 01:51:49 PM

here's a 58L for reasonable price, which is around avg of what they go for. I usually see them for $25 to $40. Or about $12 to $15 at a scrap metal place if you get lucky

http://fredericton.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and- ... Z275752097

Jmac00 · June 13, 2011, 01:53:11 PM

Quote from: "Kyle"So can the tops of these thinks be opened and ground down to non-sharpness with a drill, hacksaw, and file?

You'd want to cut it with something better than a hacksaw. Not sayin its not doable, but it'd be much easier with something else.

brew · June 13, 2011, 02:11:15 PM

Hehe - yes - that ad has been on Kijiji for quite some time - the person sold that pretty much right after they posted the ad. They don't respond to email's if you inquire - they haven't taken the time to remove the ad...

Scrap yards like Greer's Moutain Salvage? Mike / Terry won't be giving you any 50L kegs for $25 - more like $75

I'd be interested in other scrap yards where you can find them for less $75...

Kyle - you can hack saw them (I have a recip saw), but the plasma torch is really the best way to go! I don't have a plasma, but it will cut with oxy/propane which I do have... can clean up the cut after that. I may also be able to borrow a plasma cutter as well if you're interested...

Jmac00 · June 13, 2011, 02:21:15 PM

Quote from: "brew"Scrap yards like Greer's Moutain Salvage? Mike / Terry won't be giving you any 50L kegs for $25 - more like $75 I'd be interested in other scrap yards where you can find them for less $75...

I didn't say it was Greer's. But sounds like that's where you're gettin them.

Buddy of mine picked up two real cheap a couple yrs ago from a yard(outside freddy area)..its hit and miss with these things.

I realize kijiji is shitty at times with ppl not answering emails/deleting old ads...but its good at times...i managed to snag 8 sanke's one time.

brew · June 13, 2011, 02:30:20 PM

Yeah I hear you there - I did some computer work for a buddy of mine who owns a bar - gave me a keg in exchange - which I traded for some concrete, and that story goes on... I try to keep my eyes open though. I've read kegs can make good mash tun's, boilers so when I found out this fellow has a dozen of them for a set price, I thought I'd at least post it here. He also has 3 more that have the rubber-ized top / bottoms - they will go for a little cheaper, but you can't really use them with propane. They would be good for electric though...

Jmac00 · June 13, 2011, 02:34:27 PM

make good fermenters too

oversized bung and airlock and you got a nice SS carboy

Kyle · June 13, 2011, 03:03:31 PM

I wouldn't use the rubberized ones with electric either. I'll be going 10g electric sometime soon.

This may be too much to ask, but will the guy let me come, choose a straight sided keg with no rubber, and have him plasma-cut the top. I'd pay $75 for that.

Or Brew, if you can get the top off of it, I'm interested.

I'll take one, I want to come down in person and choose it though.

Once you have a firm price, bonus if its lower, send me a PayPal link in the PM and I'll do that for one keg, or I can do cash. Also, I owe $14 for StarSan, can you send me a PayPal link for $14 + 4% to cover that?

Kyle · June 13, 2011, 03:12:07 PM

Quote from: "Jmac00"make good fermenters too oversized bung and airlock and you got a nice SS carboy

Hey Jmac00, can you post a picture of your brewing / serving setup, sounds great.

Jmac00 · June 13, 2011, 03:34:55 PM

Quote from: "Kyle"
Quote from: "Jmac00"make good fermenters too oversized bung and airlock and you got a nice SS carboy

Hey Jmac00, can you post a picture of your brewing / serving setup, sounds great.

I don't personally use em as fermenters, but know of a guy who does...#11 stopper fits in the hole nicely with an airlock in the drilled stopper. Simple and cheap. There's ferementer kits on the market for these but it consists of SS rods, clamps, etc and its $$$ from what i can remember....but that way enables you to transfer your beer via CO2 and not have it exposed to air at all...same as doing it in a corny keg basically.

post #8 to show the rubber bung and airlock
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/sanke-f ... rs-106253/

I'm only doing "kits" at the moment....no AG yet. I'll post a pic of my keezer when i get home...I'm away alot with work. :|

brew · June 13, 2011, 04:08:31 PM

Quote from: "Kyle"I wouldn't use the rubberized ones with electric either. I'll be going 10g electric sometime soon.

I may not have given the correct impression, but the rubber pieces on the top / bottom are just molds that the kegs sits in - would act as a good insulator for a boiler...

Quote from: "Kyle"This may be too much to ask, but will the guy let me come, choose a straight sided keg, and have him plasma-cut the top. I'd pay $75 for that.

No problem at all - this fellow is out on the Smith road (Hanwell) and I can give you his number - they are outside and have a little old beer still in them so they need a good cleaning, but they are in good shape otherwise. He has a bunch of straight walled but a few other styles as well...

Quote from: "Kyle"Once you have a firm price, bonus if its lower, send me a PayPal link in the PM and I'll do that for one keg. Also, I owe $14 for StarSan, can you send me a PayPal link for $14 + 4% to cover that?

I think the $75 for the Keg is pretty firm (you could ask him for cheaper price if you like but he wouldn't come down for me!). As for getting it cut, after you pick it up we can definitely get the top off if you want to bring it by - I have bi-metal hole saws as well if you want to drill a hole for a ball valve (drain). For a drain though, you will need to get a SS coupling (Fastenal can order them in - about $5) and we can hard solder (braize) them in - I have some extra silver solder...

I can do a paypal button for the kegs if you'd like Kyle, but it might be easier if you paid him direct? (unless we see a few more people interested? Then I could go to the bank and do a bunch at once)

The Starsan paypal link is in the first post for the Starsan topic in the "Bulk Orders" forum here: http://nbcba.org/forum/index.php?topic=343.0