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**kombat** · 11-26-2012, 01:35 AM

So my wife was visiting a former co-worker and mentioned that I do homebrew. It turns out her husband had a 15 gallon Sanke keg that was in the house when they bought it 4 years ago, and it's just been sitting in their shed. So they gave it to me! Woo hoo, free keg!

Now, my problem is, "What do I do with it?" I already have a pretty sweet stainless steel 15 gallon boil kettle w/ ball valve and thermometer. I'm using a converted 48 quart camping cooler for my mash tun. I have 5 Corny kegs, so I could use another keg, but I brew 5 gallon batches, so the Sanke would be 2/3 empty.

I'm thinking I could use it as my HLT. I'm currently using the 7.5 gallon aluminum pot that came with my turkey fryer kit as my HLT. However, that would mean cutting into the keg - an irreversible step. So if that's what I decide to do, there's no turning back.

Before I put my keg under the rotary tool, I figured I'd put it to the helpful crowd at HBT and ask, "What would YOU do with this keg in my situation?"

**sloose** · 11-26-2012, 01:44 AM

its junk. send it to me, i will dispose of it properly. =P

**daksin** · 11-26-2012, 01:48 AM

You could pull the spear and ferment 10 gallon batches in it- no cutting necessary!

**kombat** · 11-26-2012, 01:56 AM

@daksin: I like where your head's at. What would you use for an airlock? How would you vent the CO2 from fermentation?

**JoeyChopps** · 11-26-2012, 02:02 AM

I did a ten gallon batch in a sanke not long ago. I used a orange carboy cap and soaked in warm water to get it to fit the keg. I didn't perge the dead space with co2 with no problems. The orange carboy cap was awesome cuz I put a blow off tube on it and then fitted an airlock once the fermentation died down with no problems. I was in your same situation and didn't want to cut up the keg or spend lots on the nice tri-clover setup for fermenting. So I'm just going to keep it around for 10 gallon batches.

**RiverCityBrewer** · 11-26-2012, 02:03 AM

Just stretch an orange carboy cap over the neck of the sanke, treat just like a normal fermentation from there. I did it this way for years with no issues.

Zamial · 11-26-2012, 02:52 AM

BAH! If you are going to ferment in a sanke do this: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f13/closed-system-pressurized-fermentation-technique-44344/

**Golddiggie** · 11-26-2012, 03:02 AM

Use it as either your boil keggle or convert it into a mash tun. I have one of each (actually on my second BK since I sold my first). If you're not going to be able to mostly fill it for fermenting in that is.

I'm making my own fermentation caps for use with sanke kegs. Working on a design that has both gas and liquid ball lock posts on it, plus a thermowell. Slide a dip tube down under the liquid post and extract away.

I'll be posting up on that in the DIY section once I get a new vise for the drill press (need it to properly hold what I'm working on).

CBMbrewer · 11-26-2012, 03:06 AM

I vote mash tun. My HLT, MLT and Kettle are all converted sanke kegs. It takes a little work but it is so worth it, especially if you are doing more than 5 gallons.

**Golddiggie** · 11-26-2012, 03:11 AM

NorCal/Jaybird false bottoms for the win too...

Got mine from them. Went with the full size, hinged, with handle, and hole in it from the start (in the mash tun). Works great and he's a member of HBT.

Great customer support/service too.