200 Litre Drum As Kettle

[hoppydog]

Has anyone tried using a 200 Litre drum as a kettle?

They mostly have pressed seams at the bottom, but so does my water kettle at home, and it does not leak.

Sanitation is not a problem, as the boil will kill anything.

I am currently boiling in 3 x 20 litre kettles, so I need something better.

 

[tangent]

i think your only problem would be it rusting out over time
otherwise, bung a tap on it and try it out
good size!

 

[Fents]

My LHBS guy has just upgraded from an 80litre to a 150-200litre, works a treat. Now he just has to drink all the beer he makes!! hahaha good on ya dave

 

[hoppydog]

I should have said stainless drum - so it should not rust.

I dont think mild steel can be used for beer

 

[domonsura]

It would be OK, but you may find that the pressed seam may leak eventually due to the expansion/contraction when you boil.
Worst case scenario, you might end up having to run a weld around the seam - but with 200 litres of beer at once, I doubt you'll care :lol:

 

[T.D.]

I use a stainless 44gal drum on my big system. Works a treat. Go for it!

 

[crozdog]

Hoppy,

from 1 dog to another, where are you located? And can you source staino 44's at a decent price? i currently have a 200l (plastic) mash tun, & a 180l staino vat that i use for a kettle, but would like another 200l vessel to use as a HLT. Currently large batches quickly become a logistical "challange" - just ask the ISB guys who were at my place for the big brew day in May :super: B)

I've looked at staino 44's previously, but could buy a vat much cheaper from places like Fallsdell! Let me know how cheap you can get them.

Beers

Crozdog

 

[Blackfish]

200L! By the power of Grayskull!
What sort of burner do you put under 200L of beer?
Maybe that a whole 'nother thread.....

 

[crozdog]

200L! By the power of Grayskull!
What sort of burner do you put under 200L of beer?
Maybe that a whole 'nother thread.....

i use a dual ring HP burner from Gameco. It's quiter than the NASA

 

[sstacey]

I use a stainless 44gal drum on my big system. Works a treat. Go for it!

i currently have a 200l (plastic) mash tun, & a 180l staino vat that i use for a kettle

i use a dual ring HP burner from Gameco. It's quiter than the NASA

Photo's please!!!

 

[oldbugman]

http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/inde...m&album=157

 

[Fents]

Looks the bizness!

 

[tangent]

sweet! i didn't know you could get stainless 200L drums
how much ???

 

[sstacey]

http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/inde...m&album=157

I think I speak for all of us when I say "bloody fantastic"!
I love all the crap piled up in the shed, the boxing kangaroo flag and the half empty beer glasses. It makes me feel at home.

You really need to work on your bottling technique though! Looks like too much work.

 

[hoppydog]

As to where to get them and how much - I am still looking. But I hear that ex commercial drums in stainless are available and maybe less expensive than SS kettles.

When I find one I will get back to the topic

 

[KoNG]

here's T.D's burner under the 44... boiling something we've brewed and consumed of late.
(beware the soot... :lol: :lol: )

 

[crozdog]

re the price, I've been quoted over $700 each!! :blink: hence why I'm asking if you can get em cheap!

SPS, those bottles were for starters cause we ran out of cubes. Everyone went home with a cube, a starter & a vial of yeast. The complete package ;-)

 

[niceshoes]

Fosters at Botany are selling 60 x 200L Stainless steel drums.
These are all food grade and have previously contained alcohol.

Currently the bid is $120.00

200L Drum link

 

[fixa]

Fosters at Botany are selling 60 x 200L Stainless steel drums.
These are all food grade and have previously contained alcohol.

Currently the bid is $120.00

200L Drum link

Oh man i'd love to get some of these.. if only i lived in syd... bulk buy anyone?

 

[hoppydog]

I got a secondhand one for $200 from Brisbane drum recycling, food grade - it was used to contain tee tree oil before. It has an EDPM seal, but it is supposed to be able to take a flame if there is liquid in to to keep it under 150C or so

Now I am wondering how on earth I am going to get a burner to boil it - I guess i will need a 30 kW element.

What do others use to do large boils? I have natural gas at home.