Beer Forum

Does anyone have any tips or advice on converting a sanke keg to a brew kettle. I am thinking about doing it, but I don't want to get in over my head. Any advice is much appreciated.

For cutting the top I used a bucket and traced a circle to cut. I used an angle grinder with the thinnest cutting wheel I could find. It takes a few passes to cut all the way through. I find that after about three passes you're through. Oh yeah remember to release the pressure inside and take the spear out.

To drill the holes in the side I used a step drill bit.

Texan Brew had a small article here: http://texanbrew.com/article.php?story= ... 0200202146

Push E.

Yeah, but an even better technique is shown in a YouTube video that some dude made. He basically made a little 90* angle jig that he strapped to his 4" grinder. On one side he bolted a 2" hole saw to. It fits exactly into the top of the keg after you remove the dip tupe. You can even set the radius very easily to 6" so you can fit a commercially available 12" lid. No need to mark it - the jig will cut a perfect 12" hole. Very minimal cleanup with a file is necessary to remove the burr. I think I posted the link to it here before if you search back in the forum archives. Or you can just search on YouTube for keg conversion.

I did this to all my kegs. It was quick, easy, and the results are much more professional looking than any plasma cut would be.


Mylo

I used a sawzall and cut around the outside of the keg. I have to use aluminum foil for a lid. I think I may try this again with a different keg soon.

Remember if you remove the valve:

RELEASE THE PRESSURE

it can turn into a rocket if you pop the ring off.

Here's the YouTube videos that Mylo was referring too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LthGdMk_ ... 6E&index=6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH8q6Xbi ... 6E&index=7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCd1reeI ... 6E&index=8

I just think that is too much extra work. The bucket was the same size as the lid that fit on my turkey fryer. I just did it free hand and with three passes it was a nice clean cut.

Hey, to each his own. The extra 15 min of time it took me to make the jig was WELL WORTH the professional-looking perfect cut. Looks just like it was done on a CNC machine.


Mylo