Corny Keg Safe for Fermenting?

[realestwhiteboy]

I came into the good fortune of 2 5-gal Corny kegs & a 10-gal Corny keg.

I don't feel confident storing anything in them after distillation, because of their gaskets and lines. But is there any risk in fermenting in them?

Just based off alcohol percentages, I am assuming there wouldn't be. But couldn't find any solid answers searching the forum. The end-product of beer that is stored in these can be 10-12%+ for some of these craft IPAs, which is comparable for what I end up with during fermentation. So, assuming the gaskets (and all internal parts of the keg) have been tested & approved for contact with that level of alcohol contact.

[subbrew]

As you stated, the product they were designed for can be up to 12% abv so for fermentation they are fine. Change the gaskets and they will make good storage containers as well.

[MooseMan]

A 10gal corny keg!
Can we please see a picture of this thing, I have never seen one bigger than 5gal and I've got quite a few!
Got a couple of 3gal and even a modded one that takes 6lts, but never heard of bigger.

If you wrap that main rubber seal in PTFE, take out the posts and replace with 8mm stainless bolts wrapped in PTFE they are fine for any alcohol level.

[bilgriss]

Yep. It's an all stainless vessel, so good for anything you might ferment in it. The only concern would be the seals if you were to store a higher percentage of alcohol. Some people use a corny for a thumper, storage with modified seals, and fermentation.

You'll also notice many people ferment in food-safe plastic, which is fine at low percentages as well.

[realestwhiteboy]

A 10gal corny keg!
Can we please see a picture of this thing, I have never seen one bigger than 5gal and I've got quite a few!
Got a couple of 3gal and even a modded one that takes 6lts, but never heard of bigger.

If you wrap that main rubber seal in PTFE, take out the posts and replace with 8mm stainless bolts wrapped in PTFE they are fine for any alcohol level.

I don't know if it's technically considered a corny keg? There's no rubber ends, like my 5-gal kegs. But this site has it listed as "corny": https://www.kegoutlet.com/10-gallon-new ... y-keg.html

Edit: Just realized the keg was there, it was just covered up.

This was the original picture of his ad ... everything he gave me isn't pictured:

[MooseMan]

A 10gal corny keg!
Can we please see a picture of this thing, I have never seen one bigger than 5gal and I've got quite a few!
Got a couple of 3gal and even a modded one that takes 6lts, but never heard of bigger.

If you wrap that main rubber seal in PTFE, take out the posts and replace with 8mm stainless bolts wrapped in PTFE they are fine for any alcohol level.

I don't know if it's technically considered a corny keg? There's no rubber ends, like my 5-gal kegs. But this site has it listed as "corny": https://www.kegoutlet.com/10-gallon-new ... y-keg.html

Edit: Just realized the keg was there, it was just covered up.

This was the original picture of his ad ... everything he gave me isn't pictured:

Wow that's a beast!
I just looked on the link and yes it's got all corny fittings so essentially it's a corny keg, you lucky man.
Great score!

That will do really nicely as an 8gal ish ferment vessel.
If you search the forum for "Corny keg low wines storage" you'll find a thread that will help you.

[TwoSheds]

Nice find! I use 5 gallon corneys a lot for various purposes, low wines, high wines, aging, high ABV neutrals, whatever! I have pulled out the seals in the valves and the lid and removed the dip tube and stubby tube. I should find some bolts to swap in but I think the thread may be unique.

Personally, I don't even replace the seals, just leave it nearly sealed with the loose fitting lid offering a little oxygen exchange on the aging stock (and a couple staves inside for the wood.) Just gotta keep them upright!

I like the 5 gallon size. The handles are good and it's a reasonable weight to move around. That 10 is going to be rough to move if you fill it, but pumping or syphoning are always an option.

Good luck!

[MooseMan]

Removed the dip tube and stubby tube. I should find some bolts to swap in but I think the thread may be unique.

TwoSheds, if you get hold of some 8mm stainless steel bolts and give them a couple wraps of PTFE tape, they snug down nicely into the post holes on a corny.

[realestwhiteboy]

Wow that's a beast!
I just looked on the link and yes it's got all corny fittings so essentially it's a corny keg, you lucky man.
Great score!

That will do really nicely as an 8gal ish ferment vessel.
If you search the forum for "Corny keg low wines storage" you'll find a thread that will help you.

Yea, and I was only after 3 carboys for an additional fermentation round to speed up my process. But they were going to be $125-150. I got this entire pickup truck load of stuff with the 3 carboys and 10-gal keg for only $200. Figured for the extra $50, it was worth all these additional supplies that I'll get around to using one day.

[MooseMan]

Oh wow, now that's a score man

[fiery creations]

A 10gal corny keg!
Can we please see a picture of this thing, I have never seen one bigger than 5gal and I've got quite a few!
Got a couple of 3gal and even a modded one that takes 6lts, but never heard of bigger.

If you wrap that main rubber seal in PTFE, take out the posts and replace with 8mm stainless bolts wrapped in PTFE they are fine for any alcohol level.

You just spin some tape around the whole circular gasket?


Why do the posts need to come out, aren’t they SS?

[higgins]

After I sold ten 5 gallon cornies, I'm left with eleven 5 gallon and one 2.5 gallon. I use the 2.5 for my rum dunder, and a 5 for my bourbon backset.

The posts have a poppet valve in them that has some kind of rubber seal. I think the thread on the posts is an NPS (national pipe straight) thread, but don't remember the size.

I took out the posts, the poppets, the dip tubes, wrapped PTFE tape around the threads, and screwed SS cap nuts on them. I don't think they would hold pressure, but that doesn't matter. I wrapped the big gasket with PTFE tape.

[fiery creations]

After I sold ten 5 gallon cornies, I'm left with eleven 5 gallon and one 2.5 gallon. I use the 2.5 for my rum dunder, and a 5 for my bourbon backset.

The posts have a poppet valve in them that has some kind of rubber seal. I think the thread on the posts is an NPS (national pipe straight) thread, but don't remember the size.

I took out the posts, the poppets, the dip tubes, wrapped PTFE tape around the threads, and screwed SS cap nuts on them. I don't think they would hold pressure, but that doesn't matter. I wrapped the big gasket with PTFE tape.

Shoot. I thought I could use the ones I bought for beer and storage. Guess I need more.

[MooseMan]

A 10gal corny keg!
Can we please see a picture of this thing, I have never seen one bigger than 5gal and I've got quite a few!
Got a couple of 3gal and even a modded one that takes 6lts, but never heard of bigger.

If you wrap that main rubber seal in PTFE, take out the posts and replace with 8mm stainless bolts wrapped in PTFE they are fine for any alcohol level.

You just spin some tape around the whole circular gasket?


Why do the posts need to come out, aren’t they SS?

Yeah just wrap the entire gasket. I go around twice.

And as Higgins said, the posts have rubber o rings in them. It's simple to just remove the whole post and poppet, and plug the hole as I described.