StillSmart

Ok first keg still underway,30lt tall slim type,cost a pretty penny to get to uk my plan is to fit 2x ulwd elements triclamp ferrules and 4" ferrule for the tower,I'm looking for a top notch job So who do I approach to do the job,or can any welder do this for me.

Hi Felix

You don't need two elements in a 30 litre keg, I have a 50 litre keg boiler and I only need one 3.5kw element, it can bring a 40 litre wash to boil in 45 mins.

Also 4" column connection is probably too big also, if it's 30 capacity you probably won't fill it more that 20-25 litres, with low wines at 30% you will have 6-7.5 litres of alcohol in there, a 2"'column would be perfectly sized, at 1.5 litres an hour your looking at a 4-5 hour spirit run, plus heat up time, which is not unreasonable, I would suggest if your keg has a standard fitting, then a 2" tri-clamp will connect directly to it.

If you want a bigger column, just get a tri-clamp adapter from 2"-4"

I took my keg to a local place near me to have a 4" ferrule connection welded in for the column and one 2" triclamp ferrule in the side for the heating element, have a look around your local industrial estate, there's bound to be a company that has a fabrication workshop who could do the work, I supplied the keg and ferrules and it cost about £20 to get them welded on.

You may also want a bottom drain, this you can fit yourself, if you search boat deck skin fittings, you'll find fittings you can install in the bottom that you can connect a drain pipe and tap to.

Thanks buddy, I already have a 4" ferrule here and a 4" pipe section which I was thinking could be a packed section with two perforated stainless discs before the bubble tower if I need to, keg conection is sanky type 2" so rather than use a reducer I thought just go with 4" from the start?,
Or would I be better with going the way you said?,
Elements side I'm limited to size a 9" ulwd will just fit this keg but it will only give me 2500w, would I be wise to just add the extra and run the two for run up and control one element for take off ?,drain i will get welder to fit may aswell go the full way welded,I wanted the 30lt keg as I thought it would be just a nice size for one ferment bucket run tge 50 looked a tad big for my needs at the moment and i can also store easy im a large asda tote with wheels.

Thanks

I decided just to get a 2"-4" reducer and use
The existing keg connection,I've also found a welder to undertake the work so hopefully tomorrow get the keg booked it to get adapted still considering a drain tho with the keg being easy enough to lift and drain after a run but i suppose that it's a should have done it while i had the chance moment lol.

You may hate me for this.
From my experiences with a Keg still over 25 years ago, the cleaning of them can be a bitch.
If you can, incorporate a cleaning port, that you can get your hand in with a scrubbie.
It will cost more, but save you a heap of work.

Robert.

Have to agree here, Robert. Absolutely.

Right just need to get the holes cut, decided
To use the existing connection and fit 4" clean port center of keg

I think that is a wise move that you will not regret.

Robert.