SS 15.5 gallon barrels

[syrupbythesea]

Well, we now have over 480 taps in and another 500+ to go. Had only 300 total last year so really stepped it up this year. Now trying to figure out what to do with all the potential syrup I'm going to make!

The NHMPA is working on getting these SS 15.5 barrels and also a SS 5.5 gallon barrel to be available through container dealers for members. They are made in the USA (PA) and I have one of each at my house. Currently it has a sanitary fitting but NHMPA is working on a 2" bung receiver. I think the price will be right compared to the chinese or canadian made barrels.

Any interest? The more interest NHMPA members have the easier it will be to make this investment and volume purchase up front.

13067

[steam maker]

Stick with sanitary fitting my opinion better than bung ! But hey im from mass so my opinion doesnt count 😄😄😄😄

[OldManMaple]

Sanitary fittings work well and eliminates the chance of galling.

[Russell Lampron]

I am interested in both sizes. Of course I will need to know how much they will cost and probably won't be able to buy any until after the season.

[wiam]

Could they be available to non members at a non member price?

[meadster02]

Go to your local beer distributer pay the $30 return fee and they will give you the keg. Take the tube out of them and buy a 2'' tri clamp and sanitary cap with a silicone gasket that is flat on one side and you have your stainless 15.5 gallon barrel. And the quarter barrels are 7.5 gallon.

[Amber Gold]

I'm interested. I prefer the tri-clover fitting.

Thought. Are those a true tri-clover fitting or a beer keg fitting? If a beer keg, they don't always seal properly because the clamp doesn't seat properly.

[BAP]

I would be interested too.

[meadster02]

you can use a tri clamp fitting the seal that you get needs to only have the rib on one side. You can find them on most brewing websites.

[Amber Gold]

those are the ones I use. Still not a great fit from what I've found. Below is what I've been using.

Cap (https://www.brewershardware.com/2-Tri-Clover-Cap.html)

Gasket (https://www.brewershardware.com/F1GASSIL.html)

Clamp (https://www.brewershardware.com/2-Tri-Clover-Clamp.html)

[meadster02]

Yea I use the same thing. Always seems to seal for me.

[wiam]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/2-quot-End-Cap-2-quot-Weld-on-Ferrule-2-quot-Tri-clamp-2-quot-Gasket-Sanitary-SS304-Set-/151809494461?txnId=1368435198005

I have had good sealing by removing one ridge with a razor knife.

[Shaun]

those are the ones I use. Still not a great fit from what I've found. Below is what I've been using.

Cap (https://www.brewershardware.com/2-Tri-Clover-Cap.html)

Gasket (https://www.brewershardware.com/F1GASSIL.html)

Clamp (https://www.brewershardware.com/2-Tri-Clover-Clamp.html)

You have had good luck with what you listed? I have been getting quotes on pallets of kegs. A little nervous about the seal after spending a bunch of money. The kegs are listed as sankey drop in valves which I need to remove. Are you guys using Sankey style kegs?

[meadster02]

yea they will match right up to the 2'' tri clamp

[lpakiz]

You can also cut the neck off with a cut-off wheel, leaving the neck 3/4 inch tall. Freeze a 2 inch sanitary weld ferrule for a few minutes. Meanwhile, heat the neck with a propane torch. Don't turn it blue, but get it hot.
Yell for someone to bring you the ferrule from the freezer. 4 times out of 5, it drops right in. 10 seconds later you can lift the barrel by it. I have a friend TIG around the inside to make an air-tight seal.
Caps, clamps and gaskets are available on EBay.
The beer depots around here won't sell you a good barrel for $30.

[syrupbythesea]

Wow...lots of great feedback here. the current design we have is a food grade tri-clover seal receiver on the barrel (requires a clamp and gasket). I can tell you the seal on this barrel is tight and like I said I have one at the sugar house now. The 2"bung design would be a future option.

Thanks for all the feedback!

Oh yeah... these barrels will have NHMPA embossed on them and will be intended for NH Maple Producer Association Members and distributed through our dealer network.

Come on SAP......

[OldManMaple]

Has there been any thought of 20 or 30 gal drums? I know you got to start somewhere but I have got 27 kegs kicking around now and the only thing that keeps me from going to drums is the $$$. As a small producer there is never enough to go around.

[syrupbythesea]

Has there been any thought of 20 or 30 gal drums? I know you got to start somewhere but I have got 27 kegs kicking around now and the only thing that keeps me from going to drums is the $$$. As a small producer there is never enough to go around.

I think we are going to start with the 15.5 gallon drums, maybe look at the 5.5 gallons in the future and that will be our start. We're trying to solve the storage needs of the average producer and want to provide a food grade quality option for our members. Not all of us have equipment to be filling 30, 40 or 55 gallon drums. :-| I think there are good sources already for those larger drums.

[syrupbythesea]

Here is a pic of the sanitary fitting for the barrels.... 13096

[NH Maplemaker]

I have been trying to buy a couple 15 gal kegs a year. So depending on pricing, could be very interested in a few!

[maple flats]

Here is a pic of the sanitary fitting for the barrels.... 13096
I like the silicone gaskets far better, they last longer and are not affected by hot syrup temps. They are good from well below zero to well over 400 degrees F. I buy mine from Brewers Hardware, like $1 ea. for 1.5" and 2".