life span of a keg boiler

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

Moderator: Site Moderator

Post Reply
User avatar
Grappa-Gringo
Swill Maker
Posts: 442
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:44 pm
Location: North of 49th/PNW

life span of a keg boiler

Post by Grappa-Gringo »

Question for all: how long do you get from a keg (boiler) (life span) in terms of how long do you or would you use it before getting a new one.
I have had one for over 9 years.... I inspect it prior to using it each time, looking for thin spots, or any other abnormal spots, but realistically, there should be a time frame to be aware of, or am I just being over cautious?
I use it about 7-10 times a year over propane...
Would love to hear your comments.
Cheers GG
They say, "you are what you eat"... Then I'm fast, easy and cheap!
JesseMarques
Bootlegger
Posts: 114
Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2020 3:52 pm
Location: Brasil

Re: life span of a keg boiler

Post by JesseMarques »

if the keg really is 304 stainless, you are fully safe, no thin spot will develop if you are not using HCl or other similar chemical
User avatar
still_stirrin
Master of Distillation
Posts: 10337
Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:01 am
Location: where the buffalo roam, and the deer & antelope play

Re: life span of a keg boiler

Post by still_stirrin »

My boiler will out live me.

It is a 1/2 barrel 304 stainless Sanke tap beer keg with a tri-clover ferrule TiG welded in for the element. It was welded by a certified sanitary welder, so there are no inclusions in any of the welds. The thing(s) that will fail first are the heat elements ... yes, there are 2 of them in my boiler. Even the electronic controls are over designed so they too have a large margin of safety.
ss
My LM/VM & Potstill: My build thread
My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K
User avatar
Demy
Master of Distillation
Posts: 3083
Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2020 1:45 pm

Re: life span of a keg boiler

Post by Demy »

I have only one from 30L (it's hard to find for me) I think it survives for a whole life. They have a great thickness and are usually AISI304 .....
User avatar
Saltbush Bill
Site Mod
Posts: 9674
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:13 am
Location: Northern NSW Australia

Re: life span of a keg boiler

Post by Saltbush Bill »

A stainless keg will most likely out live its owner.
User avatar
Windy City
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 1177
Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2013 10:52 pm
Location: Chicagoland

Re: life span of a keg boiler

Post by Windy City »

Besides the elements I don’t see what would actually wear out.
No different than pots or pans.
We still have our first set of pots and pans from 35 years ago
The liver is evil and must be punished
Cranky"s spoon feeding for new and novice distillers
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=52975
The Baker
Master of Distillation
Posts: 4659
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2006 4:48 am
Location: Northern Victoria, Australia

Re: life span of a keg boiler

Post by The Baker »

I have a couple of kegs that would be older than me and I am eighty.
Would have been used for beer for many years then put aside out in the weather for many more.
Haven't yet been used for distilling but I expect they will last indefinitely.

Geoff
The Baker
User avatar
Yummyrum
Global moderator
Posts: 7652
Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2013 2:23 am
Location: Fraser Coast QLD Aussie

Re: life span of a keg boiler

Post by Yummyrum »

Certainly those big old Scottish Copper Pot stills have a use by date and eventually wear thin , but they run everyday . Even then it might take a century . But Copper reacts with Sulphides whereas Stainless does not meaning Stainless will last even longer.
Even in a fairly acidic wash ( most are ) , stainless steel seems not be effected .
Start boiling Hydrochloric acid in it and it might start to develop a few holes though :ewink:
User avatar
Deplorable
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 3984
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:10 pm
Location: In the East, (IYKYK)

Re: life span of a keg boiler

Post by Deplorable »

Yummyrum wrote: Thu May 06, 2021 3:32 am Certainly those big old Scottish Copper Pot stills have a use by date and eventually wear thin , but they run everyday . Even then it might take a century . But Copper reacts with Sulphides whereas Stainless does not meaning Stainless will last even longer.
Even in a fairly acidic wash ( most are ) , stainless steel seems not be effected .
Start boiling Hydrochloric acid in it and it might start to develop a few holes though :ewink:
That reminds me. I need to go drain my boiler!
Fear and ridicule are the tactics of weak-minded cowards and tyrants who have no other leadership talent from which to draw in order to persuade.
Post Reply