Hoff-Stevens keg

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squigglefunk
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Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by squigglefunk »

someone is selling a Hoff-Stevens keg. Thats the old school ones with the two prongs. Are these useable/adaptable for our purposes? Thanks
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zed255
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by zed255 »

Just had to google an image of one of those. I don't see why not. With appropriate modifications almost any solid SS vessel can be put to task as a boiler / thumper / preheater / kettle and so on. With the side port it might make for an interesting horizontally oriented boiler.
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squigglefunk
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by squigglefunk »

they want $15 for it, seems a good price it looks to date from the late 60s
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zed255
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by zed255 »

Well, if it were near me I'd be all over it for $15!
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by still_stirrin »

Well, some “early” H/S kegs were aluminum. Here’s a discussion: https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... f=2&t=3995

Another thread to consider: https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 16&t=50800
Here’s a good one: https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 16&t=10623

Boiler considerations: https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 88&t=69895
And: https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 15&t=58684
And : https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... =88&t=4167

So, you’re not the 1st to ask…just another new member.
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by squigglefunk »

thanks SS, yeah I knew there might be something going on with it... I will axe them
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by Baxda »

I've used a few of them. A little more work since there is an extra hole to deal with, and the shape of the top made tightening a tri clamp difficult.
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squigglefunk
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by squigglefunk »

well I asked and they said it doesn't say stainless steel anywhere on it but a magnet won't stick to it :roll:
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zed255
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by zed255 »

Unfortunately the magnet test isn't foolproof. Obviously aluminum won't be magnetic but neither are good grades of stainless. The magnet check needs to be performed on highly worked areas (tightly rolled or folded or otherwise mechanically shaped) where there is often a very light attraction to the magnet. Broad areas with little cold working will appear entirely non-magnetic. If it is a stainless vessel it will almost always be 304L which will usually exhibit some mild magnetism when checked in the right places. A check with a file or drill might be more telling, say on the rim. The aluminum will cut easily where the stainless will be tough as a coffin nail.
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by squigglefunk »

thanks a lot for the info :)
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Ben
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by Ben »

If you can post a pic of it that would help.

The extra hole looks like a great place to weld a sight glass in :) Would also be a nice thumper size.
:)
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by squigglefunk »

keg3.jpg
keg2.jpg
keg1.jpg
These are the pics... thanks again for the help fellas
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by squigglefunk »

not sure what size it is, either 7.75 or 15.5 I recon
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by cob »

Just so you know that welded area around the bung is a closed chamber, not vented.

there were issues with the rolled ring on the bottom of some sanke kegs being

sealed, "unvented" and exploding. there are posts with pictures here on HD.

edit; exploding keg rim pictures closer to bottom of thread.

https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 33&t=50513
Last edited by cob on Wed Dec 01, 2021 7:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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still_stirrin
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by still_stirrin »

squigglefunk wrote: Wed Dec 01, 2021 11:47 am not sure what size it is, either 7.75 or 15.5 I recon
Your photos makes it look like a 15 gallon keg. The 1/4 barrel kegs were “squaty”, that is, shorter and smaller diameter. Hoff Stevens 1/4 barrels are rare too, so it is highly unlikely you’ll find one. The 15 gallon kegs were in service until the 70’s. About then, the Sanke standard came into service and it began to populate all the product lines.
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by squigglefunk »

ah yeah, it sounds like it might blow up so maybe I dont want this one lol
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Ben
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by Ben »

On a standard keg you can just drill a hole in the reinforcement ring to vent the air its fine. That doesn't look like it has a ring, looks like the reinforcement is just built into the form. Check out that thread, you will understand what the threat is and what to look for. Looks like SS to me, aluminum tends to be pretty "white".
:)
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by still_stirrin »

This is the area of doubled reinforcement. If you vent it (drill a small hole in from the outside), it should be OK to use as a boiler.
Hoff Stevens keg
Hoff Stevens keg
I’d cut out the tap buss and weld in a tri-clover (T/C) ferrule in its place. Use a larger ferrule on the top and a 2” ferrule for the element. Also, weld on a 2” ferrule where the bung hole is so you can clamp on a blank (cover).
ss
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squigglefunk
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Re: Hoff-Stevens keg

Post by squigglefunk »

thank you! makes sense
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