What is/was your reasoning for "hating" kegs? just getting prospectives from all sides...
OK...perhaps hate is a strong word when looking back, I used the slang term "hater", FWIW just sayin.
Kegs are purpose built for commercial serving, built for the abuse of being reused thousands of times, and therefore are heavy as hell and are poorly shaped for a brewing vessel IMO with the top and bottom skirts, and an undersized top hole that makes cleaning and rinsing difficult. Yearly I brew a half keg for a club event and keg it in a half sanke, afer handling the keg, I think to myself that I would have no desire to use one as a keggle. With the top fully removed, fitted with a bottom drain, and
used CIP they probably work great. For a 3v application whereby the brewer needs to set up for a brew day and then clean / rinse keggles, not as good IMO. Also, lots of kegs are beat to hell and are not as attractive as kettles, again JMO. Of course one can polish a keggle, with added labor, materials and equipment.
While I don't use keggles, I have assisted and observed people who do. Kettles are purpose built for use as a kettle, while keggles are repurposed commercial serving vessels used as a kettle. Wouldn't we all agree that a quality hand tool is one that is purpose built, and also as light as possible to accomplish the task at hand. The two major factors in selecting quality tools are ease of use, and weight.
This looks like a great application for a keggle!
I guess I just prefer kettles, found this used for about the price of a keg. Maybe it is a cost thing...If I had keggles available for cheap, and I was looking to set up a system w/ CIP and therefore wouldn't need to be moving and lifting keggles numerous times during a brew day, maybe I would use and love them as well.
These kettles look nice
IMO, but are $100 shipped for 60 qt. OK flames on for me suggesting a cheap chinese kettle...lol...over a manly keggle. Oh and FWIW, I am considered a mans man by my peers, not a weakling, have the pics of two cord hand split firewood. JMO and cheers and happy brewing whatever you may choose to boil your wort...Happy and healthy new year to all
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-60-QT-Q.../200869990241?pt=Cookware&hash=item2ec4c8cf61
OK, 80 qt. w/ lid only $113 shipped...aint it purty...haha