When life gives you lemons...

In our view 30 gallons and under is considered hobby size. Do not bring anything larger than this to our site.

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rgreen2002
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When life gives you lemons...

Post by rgreen2002 »

I wanted to say make limoncello..or moonshine lemonade but alas this is a different tale.

So recently I decided I was tired of having reproducible results, ergo the 2" opening in my keg had to go. I would change it to accommodate a 4" ferrule directly and put my flute atop it. It began innocently enough... I thought the star pattern on the top of my keg would be overcome by expert cutting and soldering skills... generally skills I do not possess (For god's sake Jim....I'm a doctor, not a welder, steelworker,plumber, etc...)
Just the beginning
Just the beginning
So the hole was snug enough but as you might guess I could not overcome the star pattern on the top and the leaks were large...
Finished... dead....kaput. How would I go on... how would I steam this 50# of corn sitting here? Crap!

So.... I took a trip to my local welder(well...three actually - the first was insanely priced, the second referred me to the third). Now here is where it gets good....

I remembered a post here (I think here...) a while back about someone who had welded 2 kegs together. It just so happens I have an extra keg I have been sitting on for a while. Was thinking about making a BOP but then I went steam. Turns out I was waiting for this.
My girl... she is a tall glass of wash.
My girl... she is a tall glass of wash.
Profile...
Profile...
She has a great pair of... ferrules.
She has a great pair of... ferrules.
Here is a sneak peak of what she will look like at the dance...
All ready to go
All ready to go
I have no idea how much she holds now. Kinda afraid to measure as I don't want to violate the 30 gallon rule... :mrgreen: I'm guessing about 25....?

I have plans for a sight glass on the fill port when I run and I will get to ordering those parts. I spent all day cleaning her, doing the vinegar run and her birdwatchers sac run just finished. Soon I can get to mashing the corn for my all corn next run.

I will see how it goes but I have plans for building an enclosure to prevent her from tipping. The steam run for the corn will give me a good idea how she will handle being a little bit tall.

Who know screwing up could be so good!!
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by Hound Dog »

I don't think you have to worry since kegs are 15 gallons (or 15.5) by the time you cut the top and bottom off to weld the halves together you will be a hair under 30 at max. Looks good. Wish I had one.
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Snackson
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by Snackson »

Looks beautiful! Glad you were able to make use of the damaged keg you had lying around. Jealous.
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GrassHopper
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by GrassHopper »

Heck, if you aren't happy with that, let me know. That is way purtier than a lot of stuff I have.
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rgreen2002
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by rgreen2002 »

GrassHopper wrote:Heck, if you aren't happy with that, let me know. That is way purtier than a lot of stuff I have.

Now nobody said I wasn't happy.... I'm actually damned ecstatic.

Thanks guys... looking forward to some steam mashing on Friday or so...
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by shadylane »

Looking good, :thumbup:
But it's too bad your heat up time is now going to be twice as long
Sorry couldn't help myself, I'm the self designated smarty pants today :lol: :moresarcasm:
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FreeMountainHermit
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by FreeMountainHermit »

Add another element ????
Blah, blah, blah,........
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rgreen2002
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by rgreen2002 »

shadylane wrote:
Sorry couldn't help myself, I'm the self designated smarty pants today :lol: :moresarcasm:
LOL...just today? :lol:
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rgreen2002
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by rgreen2002 »

FreeMountainHermit wrote:Add another element ????

Funny you mention it FMH... she has 2 ports for elements. When I first fixed her up, I was running 110v so I was using 2 outlets and 2 elements. Still have the element... and the outlets!

I could get as much as 7000W in there... then the SOH would probably kill me.
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shadylane
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by shadylane »

I'm only the smarty pants today.
Normally I'm a smart a$$ :lol:
On a side note, the boiler is looking good
Now post more pic's of the rest of your build :thumbup:
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by FreeMountainHermit »

rgreen2002 wrote:I could get as much as 7000W in there... then the SOH would probably kill me.
Might as well leave this earth in style !!! Go with two 5500 elements and she'll kill ya in yer sleep. :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by Hound Dog »

rgreen2002 wrote:
FreeMountainHermit wrote:Add another element ????

Funny you mention it FMH... she has 2 ports for elements. When I first fixed her up, I was running 110v so I was using 2 outlets and 2 elements. Still have the element... and the outlets!

I could get as much as 7000W in there... then the SOH would probably kill me.
Get them in there. I have two 5500W elements in my 20 gallon. Warm ups, stripping and tails collection can go really fast at full power but I find that I can do spirit runs with a bit more power than just one will provide.
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Swedish Pride
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by Swedish Pride »

looking good mate.
what the rest said about extra element, do it.
Also add some reflectix to it, makes a huge difference
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rgreen2002
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by rgreen2002 »

Swedish Pride wrote:looking good mate.
what the rest said about extra element, do it.
Also add some reflectix to it, makes a huge difference
The Reflectix from my one keg show is waiting to be put on along with the leftover to cover the ver 1.5 boiler!

As far as the 2 elements go... of course I'm going to do that. Death is only temporary...right?
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by FreeMountainHermit »

RIP,....rgreen2002 for he was a good feller. :lol: 8)
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by ontherocks »

How much was the welding $$$? I want one of these and I happen to have 2 kegs floating around.
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Re: When life gives you lemons...

Post by rgreen2002 »

ontherocks wrote:How much was the welding $$$? I want one of these and I happen to have 2 kegs floating around.
Sent you a pm
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