life span of a keg boiler

[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

[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

[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

[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 .....

[Saltbush Bill]

A stainless keg will most likely out live its owner.

[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 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

[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

[Deplorable]

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

That reminds me. I need to go drain my boiler!