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Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: Ciderhead on September 15, 2013, 08:38:54 PM

Title: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Ciderhead on September 15, 2013, 08:38:54 PM
Anyone any thoughts?
Was gonna cut top off, raised bead of silicone and glass lid strapped down or sheet of Perspex.
i will drill a separate hole for a bubbler


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Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: pob on September 15, 2013, 09:39:02 PM
Turn it upside down.

Cut out top (old bottom), use S/S saucepan lid to seal.

Use / adapt coupling for yeast / trub removal valve, as per conical?


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Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Greg2013 on September 15, 2013, 09:48:40 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on September 15, 2013, 08:38:54 PM
Anyone any thoughts?
Was gonna cut top off, raised bead of silicone and glass lid strapped down or sheet of Perspex.
i will drill a separate hole for a bubbler


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Have you got the dip tube removed ? If so providing the inside is all nice and sparkly then just get yourself a carboy rubber cap and stick it over the opening. ???
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Rossa on September 15, 2013, 10:48:41 PM
I have a plan to use an end pipe with welded fittings(corny disconnects) and a tri-clover clamp to seal and pump out of a keg fv. Nearly there...as in have 2/3 done.
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Ciderhead on September 15, 2013, 11:21:30 PM
Like this Rossa?

http://www.brewershardware.com/American-Sanke-Keg-Fermenter-Kit-with-Thermowell.html

Pic please :-\
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: LordEoin on September 16, 2013, 09:33:56 AM
If you've a spare corny lid, how about something like this? (grabbed from random google images)
(http://hbd.org/discus/messages/15516/17676.jpg)
(http://apuhihi.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/20130415-164100.jpg)
(http://www.hausofhomebrew.com/images/homebrew%20kettle%20spigot.jpg)
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Ciderhead on September 16, 2013, 09:49:49 AM
thanks for that hadn't seen them before, must be tricky to get that oval though, out with the dremel and am gonna give that a shot.
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: LordEoin on September 16, 2013, 10:02:33 AM
Id make a template out of cornflakes box cardboard.
Just to the outer size of the cap.
Then bring it in a centimeter all the way around.
Finally, make a center hole for the keg outlet.
When cutting, an angle grinder should do it if you err on the side of caution, then grind it out to fit.
Remember you have about a half cm to play with all around because of the rubber seal.
Shouldn't be too difficult, just take your time.
Maybe an hour from start to finish :)
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: DEMPSEY on September 16, 2013, 10:06:58 AM
Make a template of a corney opening and apply it to the keg cut out the centre inside the line with a cutting disc  and then use a grinding/polishing stone to work out to the correct line. Best way to do it. :)
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: LordEoin on September 16, 2013, 10:18:33 AM
Something like this
(http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt234/eoinlayton/Beer/16092013712_zps4a10a4fc.jpg)
Make template, cut it out, put on keg, permanent marker it onto the metal, cut on the inside of the line
Best of luck with it :)
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Ciderhead on September 16, 2013, 10:24:18 AM
Thanks chaps for the input, I will give it a go Wedsnesday and post pics
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: LordEoin on September 16, 2013, 10:28:10 AM
best of luck with it
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Hop Bomb on September 16, 2013, 03:20:43 PM
Ive done it twice & they work beautifully. I grinded the collar down so a carboy cap can squeeze on & I also cut a hole for a corny lid. The corny lid makes for much easier cleaning & for taking out a sample for your refractometer. (good tip is to keep your worn down SS grinder blades for the tight corners of the corny lid cut)

You can transfer under pressure too with the carboy cap & a SS racking cane from Hop & grape. Just add some beer line & a liquid QD for the receiving corny. Ive not used my glass carboys since Ive started using the kegs.

(http://i.imgur.com/s6uyxuJl.jpg)
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Ciderhead on September 16, 2013, 04:10:15 PM
Ooh keg porn



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Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: DEMPSEY on September 16, 2013, 05:00:20 PM
Just a note of observation here. A corney lid is flat so you would need to note that if you cut a hole on a curved part of the keg you will need to flatten out the stainless steel to get a good seal. :)
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Ciderhead on September 16, 2013, 05:12:11 PM
Dempsey there is less curvature on the side right?
Anybody done one in the middle?


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Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Hop Bomb on September 16, 2013, 05:15:18 PM
I never hammered anything flat. I just trimmed the feet on the corny lid fastener so it would pull up to the keg nice & tight. I use keg lube on the rubber o ring to give me a proper seal. It works perfectly for me both fermenting (c02 escapes through the blow off tube) & transferring under pressure. No leaks. 
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Ciderhead on September 16, 2013, 06:29:49 PM
Quote from: Hop Bomb on September 16, 2013, 03:20:43 PM
Ive not used my glass carboys since Ive started using the kegs.


Oh not really sure about that bit my kids like watching yeast stuffing their faces and farting.
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: christhebrewer on September 17, 2013, 07:44:25 AM
30l plastic buckets in Allpack for € 5.95+vat inc lids.
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: fingalbrewer on September 17, 2013, 04:11:12 PM
Did this a few years back. Still use it today
Handy enough to do with a dremel
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Ciderhead on September 17, 2013, 04:16:17 PM
Thanks fingalbrewer that's what I was looking for, it's that a blow off?
Any special advice on doing it. Do you have to flatten the top of trim down locking legs


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Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: fingalbrewer on September 17, 2013, 06:54:53 PM
Nothing too hard about doing it. No flatting it and the rubber ring is forgiving if your a little off.ya had yo cut the legs a bit.
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Will_D on September 17, 2013, 11:31:25 PM
Quote from: fingalbrewer on September 17, 2013, 04:11:12 PM
Did this a few years back. Still use it today
Handy enough to do with a dremel
Hi FB where in Fingal are you based?

We North County Brewers meet up in the Old Boro in Swords

Next meeting (actually a summber beer comp.) is next Tuesday at 7pm

You are more than welcome!
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: fingalbrewer on September 19, 2013, 06:55:46 PM
Cheers Will, I'm no longer in fingal, just kept the name as that's what I was on beior but thanks again.
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Greg2013 on September 19, 2013, 08:13:48 PM
Quote from: fingalbrewer on September 17, 2013, 04:11:12 PM
Did this a few years back. Still use it today
Handy enough to do with a dremel

Don't want to sound like a wet blanket but i can see where that keg came fro if ya get my drift, might want to take down the picture for your own sake ? ;)
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Ciderhead on September 21, 2013, 09:32:15 PM
Ok had a go at it tonight

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/22/2uju9apu.jpg)


Cut the neck real tight can't show big pics as it's identifiable

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/22/runaru8a.jpg)

Then once spear was out marked outline of the lid

Then used the rubber from a lid and marked inner diameter and cut that.

It was an absolute bitch to cut the angles right and I went through 3 dremel stainless blades

Finally a tight fit but mission accomplished.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/22/3ureve9u.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/22/uqevehy3.jpg)


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Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Shanna on September 21, 2013, 10:23:57 PM
Looking good, giving me inspiration for an old keg that I can't get the spear out of. Any idea where one can get some spare corny keg lids?

Shanna.
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Rossa on September 21, 2013, 10:46:16 PM
Quote from: Shanna on September 21, 2013, 10:23:57 PM
Looking good, giving me inspiration for an old keg that I can't get the spear out of. Any idea where one can get some spare corny keg lids?

Shanna.

Can direct.
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Ciderhead on September 22, 2013, 10:35:11 AM
Plan B as it wasn't airtight

Bigger hole

Bead of silicone with silicone tubing sat on it and a joiner made from stem of an old bubbler

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/22/pavunune.jpg)

Some 6mm acrylic that I had lying around cut to circle with dremel

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/22/pydyjubu.jpg)

And a couple of bungees to keep her in place

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/22/abu8utab.jpg)


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Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Shanna on September 22, 2013, 10:55:02 AM
What are you keeping in place with the bungee chords?

Shanna
Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Ciderhead on September 22, 2013, 10:57:22 AM
Slight mod with bungees to get it to pass pressurised water test

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/22/5ezy6eha.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/22/su4y3eha.jpg)


And a second one




Finally, easy to clean visible fermentation vessels, now just to lift it with 40-45 litres inside of it!




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Title: Re: Advice about converting a beer keg to a fermentor
Post by: Ciderhead on September 22, 2013, 11:06:04 AM
its acrylic 6mm sheet pushed down onto the tubing.
I was thinking of using an acrylic bead but I couldn't think of a way of getting uniform height all the way around to get a good airtight seal.