Beer keg for syrup storage

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Originally Posted by SeanD

That would be amazing. I think I've reached my limit of dropping grades in plastic.

I have a few breweries in my area (lucky me). Did you reach out to them to see what they had or did the one by you post that they had used kegs for sale? How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking.

Also, the way around the posting pics is to share a link from your Google Photos folder or whatever phot app you use. I'm very interested in the dispenser you fabricated.

Thanks for the responses, btw!

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I found a brewery selling them for $25 each, clean and sanitized. I bought 10 and they cut me a deal.

Paul's Sugarhouse in Williamsburg has a bunch of kegs; all different sizes. I just spoke to him and his wife yesterday at our sugarshack. I may get a couple of 15 gallon ones from him as well. Of course, I'll have to make an adapter for dispensing one of those bigger kegs. Fortunately I designed it so this was easily doable. ;)

I spoke to Peter Gregg yesterday as he came out to visit our sugar shack on his way to the Mass Maple Producer's summer picnic. I talked to him about the picture posting issue and he told me that they needed to install the more recent platform for the site. Some guy in Utah is supposed to do it(?), but he didn't have a time frame for me. He mentioned that I could post it on the Maple Trader FB page, but when I look at that it's really just classifieds, not really forums and it's not like I have them for sale, I just wanted to share what I did if it's helpful to others. I stressed to him the importance of keeping this site up-to-date. This place has been a wealth of knowledge to me and I assume others.

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Originally Posted by DMF

I found a brewery selling them for $25 each, clean and sanitized. I bought 10 and they cut me a deal.

Paul's Sugarhouse in Williamsburg has a bunch of kegs; all different sizes. I just spoke to him and his wife yesterday at our sugarshack. I may get a couple of 15 gallon ones from him as well. Of course, I'll have to make an adapter for dispensing one of those bigger kegs. Fortunately I designed it so this was easily doable. ;)

I spoke to Peter Gregg yesterday as he came out to visit our sugar shack on his way to the Mass Maple Producer's summer picnic. I talked to him about the picture posting issue and he told me that they needed to install the more recent platform for the site. Some guy in Utah is supposed to do it(?), but he didn't have a time frame for me. He mentioned that I could post it on the Maple Trader FB page, but when I look at that it's really just classifieds, not really forums and it's not like I have them for sale, I just wanted to share what I did if it's helpful to others. I stressed to him the importance of keeping this site up-to-date. This place has been a wealth of knowledge to me and I assume others.

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Glad to hear that you were able to find some kegs. Seems like Peter Greg doesn’t really have a lot of interest in keeping this forum alive and going other than owning it. Which is really too bad.

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Originally Posted by BAP

Glad to hear that you were able to find some kegs. Seems like Peter Greg doesn’t really have a lot of interest in keeping this forum alive and going other than owning it. Which is really too bad.

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I don't know. It seemed like he was waiting for them not that he wasn't trying to get it updated...:confused:

I imagine if a bunch of us e-mailed him directly and voiced our concerns maybe he would push it more?

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Originally Posted by DMF

You don't need to cut and weld anything. Just get these gaskets: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V2KMCLH...t_details&th=1

One side is flat and the other side has the lip to match a 2" sanitary cap.

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Update: I picked up a bunch of 5-gal Sanke kegs this summer from a brewery that went under.

For the sealing the keg, I bought the flat on one side gaskets, end caps, and clamps off Amazon. Thanks for that tip!

The end caps and gaskets are a perfect fit for the 2" diameter on the keg opening. The clamp takes some finesse to go on straight as the thickness of the cap, gasket, and lip of the keg is a tad more than a typical tri-clamp connection. I'm getting the clamps on, but as I mentioned, it takes some care and practice. Once on straight, I'm able to tighten by hand for a small number of turns. Then I used a screwdriver like a lever through the nut of the clamp to go a few more half-turns. I stopped because I didn't know how far to go. Is finger tight typically good? How tight is tight enough with a tri-clamp fitting? Admittedly I have the tendency to over do this kind of thing and end up breaking something.

Tomorrow, I'll put some hot water in a few of them to test for leaks. I figure if I can get it to hiss when I open it the following day that would be a good test of the seal before putting syrup in.

Any input on tightening up the tri-clamp is appreciated.

Sean

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SeanD

Update: I picked up a bunch of 5-gal Sanke kegs this summer from a brewery that went under.

For the sealing the keg, I bought the flat on one side gaskets, end caps, and clamps off Amazon. Thanks for that tip!

The end caps and gaskets are a perfect fit for the 2" diameter on the keg opening. The clamp takes some finesse to go on straight as the thickness of the cap, gasket, and lip of the keg is a tad more than a typical tri-clamp connection. I'm getting the clamps on, but as I mentioned, it takes some care and practice. Once on straight, I'm able to tighten by hand for a small number of turns. Then I used a screwdriver like a lever through the nut of the clamp to go a few more half-turns. I stopped because I didn't know how far to go. Is finger tight typically good? How tight is tight enough with a tri-clamp fitting? Admittedly I have the tendency to over do this kind of thing and end up breaking something.

Tomorrow, I'll put some hot water in a few of them to test for leaks. I figure if I can get it to hiss when I open it the following day that would be a good test of the seal before putting syrup in.

Any input on tightening up the tri-clamp is appreciated.

Sean

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I usually tighten at least 2-3 more revolutions after you can't hand tighten them. I use a (whatever size open end wrench 3/4" I think??) to do the various turning from the outside. you can stick one end in the hole of the clamp, but I always try to avoid touching the threads as to not damage them. The clamp ear will start to bend if you keep going, but i'd only go 3 screw threads max after you cannot hand tighten.

Ok, that's very helpful. Thanks!