Cutting and shutting 2 kegs?

[Peter_Muir]

Just wondering if anyone has ever cut and shut 2 kegs together to increase the volume?

[Tater]

Ive seen it done .But that would be kinda big for a hobby still.

[Bull Rider]

Peter:

Are you thinking of welding the two kegs together end to end? Hmmmmmmm.

Seems like it would be overkill for what we do with hobby stills. Would probably need some external stabilization. and you would need some kind of pump or ladder to fill the boiler.

My keg, when it's on the burner is just about four feet off of the ground, two kegs would be about seven or eight feet off of the ground.

Packing two welded kegs around would also present a challenge.


Bull.

[myles]

A better option is just to find a bigger keg. This one is 100 litres


You can get a 150 litre one very very occasionally.

[rowdybowdy]

A better option is just to find a bigger keg. This one is 100 litres


You can get a 150 litre one very very occasionally.

Ive never seen a full Keg in the states... and im a keg connoisseur a 1/2 barrel is 58 liters It would be a treat to find a full keg

[Peter_Muir]

I mainly ask as I’ve been told that an 8kg gas bottle can do 4 strip runs and one spirit with of 50L wash. I figure with a 55L/ 15 Gal keg the maximum volume I can strip at any one time is 25-30L. With warm up times considered I figure it would be more efficient to strip a higher volume first and do a lower volume spirit run and save money on gas. Does this make sence?

[myles]

Ah! strip boiler. In that case a better option than trying to join two kegs would be to get a stainless 55 gallon drum. Yes I know it is expensive but its a long term investment.

On the other hand if you do have several kegs handy, it is possible to join them together with tube in a cascade system. Not sure if this would be much advantage over doing 2 or 3 runs with a single keg boiler though. The bigger containers get heavy.

[Peter_Muir]

Ah! strip boiler. In that case a better option than trying to join two kegs would be to get a stainless 55 gallon drum. Yes I know it is expensive but its a long term investment.

On the other hand if you do have several kegs handy, it is possible to join them together with tube in a cascade system. Not sure if this would be much advantage over doing 2 or 3 runs with a single keg boiler though. The bigger containers get heavy.

Wow, tell me more about the Cascade system you speak of Myles! Is this like a series of thumpers with additional heat sources?

[myles]

Sorry Peter this was meant as a bit of a joke. I have never actually used this system, don't know anyone that has, and am sure it would be awkward to run in practice. It might be easier just to do multiple strip runs, and store untill you have enough for a spirit run.

With that in mind, here it is, just for curiosity sake.

[thepatchworkdoll]

Hey Myles where did you source that 100 litre keg.
Regards
Thepatchworkdoll

[myles]

Hey Myles where did you source that 100 litre keg.
Regards
Thepatchworkdoll

Here you go patch, they will courier one to you. I think they usually have the 100's in stock, the 150's are a different matter.

http://www.morrow-brothers.co.uk/containers/default.php

[Mr.Spooky]

Sorry Peter this was meant as a bit of a joke. I have never actually used this system, don't know anyone that has, and am sure it would be awkward to run in practice. It might be easier just to do multiple strip runs, and store untill you have enough for a spirit run.

With that in mind, here it is, just for curiosity sake.

iv thrown this one out there (but with 2 kegs) and dident get good raves.
id say, cut the tops out of each, and butt weld them together.. after all, its not the size of the boiler, but the amont of charge . just do your stillin 1/2 less than usual, and the numbers will match
good luck
spooky

[Mr.Spooky]

Peter:

Are you thinking of welding the two kegs together end to end? Hmmmmmmm.

Seems like it would be overkill for what we do with hobby stills. Would probably need some external stabilization. and you would need some kind of pump or ladder to fill the boiler.

My keg, when it's on the burner is just about four feet off of the ground, two kegs would be about seven or eight feet off of the ground.

Packing two welded kegs around would also present a challenge.


Bull.

layem on their side. no pump or ladder needed.

[magnetic_tarantula]

Has anyone ever done this? I was dreaming up something similar. Turn the kegs on their side, connect them up with 304SS schedule 5 pipe 4, 6 or 8 inch?? Then build a simple wood frame to to hold it all upright. Connect a heating element up to the mouth in the bottom keg, a thermometer or pressure meter in the mouth of the top keg. Use one of the mouths from another of the kegs I cut the top off to use as a boil pot and weld it to the top of the keg and then use one of my copper still heads. I think all that would be required would be to buy 304ss pipe and pay for welding. I couldn't find anyone who had done this, but I had been wanting a bigger pot. I found a welder in town who does good work and is somewhat cheap. Most expensive piece would be SS pipe.

Of course this looks nice:

http://shop.usedstainlesssteelbarrels.c ... cstrfrnt06

But proper ports would still have to be bought and welded. I already have a few kegs lying around so this is more expensive I believe.

[Stainless]

Hi , if you need a bigger boiler for strippin runs? ok, why not just get a 200litre/45/55 gallon stainless drum ? Iknow this is beyond forum thoughts on personal use, but it is goin to be cheapest option unless you have free kegs and free weldin gear and cheap weldin guys. Why not weld a cone on top? design it so that it comes out to a 4"/6" flange? tri clamp to a 4"/6" pot head and Jim's yer granny
Cheers
Just a mad 5min thought
Stainless

[magnetic_tarantula]

The kegs I already have are/were free(I have 6 kegs lying around, 2 with tops cut off, and 4 untouched). I have a lame job so I dream all day of all the neat things I could do(whether viable, reasonable or otherwise). Welder charges reasonable rates $40/hr(at least I think that is reasonable, fuck it doesnt matter....only one available).

I ran through the calculations and I think think 2.5 gallons of barrelable liquid are well within.....but I know what you mean. For now I think 3 stripping runs and one spirit run works better for me(despite previous posts of mine), rather than one giant stripping run and one spirit run.

I'm just day dreaming as per usual.

[jholmz]

well you could send one of those kegs this way ive been wanting another for a fermentor

[magnetic_tarantula]

Maybe someday.