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Propane Keg Flipped over
I have done a bunch of searches, and either can’t come up with the correct wording/phrase, or there aren’t any discussions on the subject because I’m not seeing anything. It would be hard to believe there’s nothing out there about it, I’m just not finding it.Can you flip a keg and use the 2″ Sanke for the drain when using propane? I know it’s done a bunch with electric set ups, but electricity isn’t an option for me. I have the dreaded star top, smooth bottom on the 15.5 keg I want to chop up. I was hoping as part of my upcoming set-up rework, I could raise the keg high enough to get a 2″ stainless elbow and valve on the bottom of the keg, add larger ferrules on top (bottom) and still run propane. Fabing a stand isn’t a problem, but will my idea work? Will the tri clamps and PTFE gaskets for the elbow hold up with propane? If we decide it’s not viable, I’ll probably just try fitting the 6″ ferrule to the star shape, then welding it in place and not molest the bottom at all. It would take a good bit of fitting back and forth, but that may be the best option. I could add the fill port further out between the star points, I have a 4″ ferrule I’m hoping to add for that purpose. I’ve already looked at it, it fits where I want it. I thought about adding a hole the correct OD for the 6″ ferrule stem to drop it past the star shape, but that would produce an internal gradeux line that would be hard to weld up or that would be hard to clean.You guys got any input for me on this? Ideas? A thread I missed in my search?Rusty”Knowledge is a paradox; the more one understands, the more one realizes the vastness of his ignorance” – Viktor (Arcane)The Horny Goat Build Thread
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5 Replies
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The melting point of a PTFE gasket is 620 F. If you have a bottom drain you will want a welded line line with no gasketed joints exposed to fire.I have a tri clamp at around 4″ level on my 15.5 gal keg which I use as drain point. I have not had any problems with gasket when using propane. I managed to solder a 4″ tri clamp to the star shape on the top. I cut the high points to the OD of the ferrule and the lower points to the id of the ferrule. The ferrule rests on the low points and I filled in the gaps with silver solder.
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That’s a great idea, thanks! I can weld the gaps no problem like that, I was scratching my head trying to figure out how to fill the low spots below the ferrule neck, but this solves that problem without having to fit the ferrule neck to the star, fit the star to the ferrule. If I can make that work out, I probably won’t chop up the bottom and just add a drain on the side a little way up from the bottom.Rusty”Knowledge is a paradox; the more one understands, the more one realizes the vastness of his ignorance” – Viktor (Arcane)The Horny Goat Build Thread
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Inverting is certainly a nifty concept, but not a viable option with gas, IMO. In practice, the remaining volume from a 2″ side drain is negligible. I have always run on gas and discovered early that a keg is an excellent tool for mashing, fermenting and distilling. When outfitted with a large ferrule on top and 2″ ferrule on the side, it becomes a great tool. The keg’s top handles make lifting (especially when full) much easier than if the keg is inverted. The bottom skirt provides an integrated heat retention ring when fired with gas, promoting efficiency. This is not possible with an inverted keg with its handles on the bottom.The 2″ ferrule welded nearest the bottom drains quickly through a 3/4″ pipe. I put a valve on it that makes hot backset retrieval and keg draining easy-peasy. Adding an element later is an option too.The TIG-welded 6″ ferrule on my keg required no machining/fitting, but maybe your ‘star’ has higher ridges.
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“Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore, always carry a small snake.”- W.C. Fields My EZ Solder Shotgun My Steam Rig and Manometer
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Thanks for the input Twisted, it’s always welcome. I sorta came to the same conclusion that flipping it isn’t a thing with propane but wanted to run it past you guys. If it was doable, y’all would know. I’m with you on the remaining volume from a side drain, I’m lifting it now to the dolly without draining it at all, 80% empty would work great.I’m going to do the welding myself, so I’ll give it a try and see if my 6″ might just work without the extra fitting work. Rusty”Knowledge is a paradox; the more one understands, the more one realizes the vastness of his ignorance” – Viktor (Arcane)The Horny Goat Build Thread
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my main keg boiler has a 3/4″ npt nipple welded close to the bottom of the sidewall and the a ball valve threaded on the nip. 3/4″ works fine on the main boiler cuz i dont put any solids in, and i already had a 3/4″ npt male to GHT so i just drain it down a (hot water rated) garden hose.<no stopping to corner anytime [] no parking passenger zone>When people tell me I’ll regret that in the morning, I sleep till noon.
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