7.5g sanke keg conversion

[BroomVikin]

So a coworker gave me a 7.5g sanke keg that is still in great shape. Here's my question though, with it not being a full size keg is it worth the effort of converting it into a boil kettle with bulkhead and valve? I currently only brew 5g batches but I'd like to upgrade to 10g soon. I know it depends on what I'm brewing but can I boil just 6-7 gallons and then top off to 10g with extra water? Seems like a lot to me.

 

[ChocolateMaltyBalls]

I don't know about a boil kettle, but it'd make a nice fermenter, or maybe HLT.

 

[acidrain]

I use slim 1/4 bbl Sanke's exclusively for fermenters... they work great. BK, HLT, MT... not so much.

 

[glockspeed31]

Acidrain, What modifications do you use to use the keg as a fermenter? I have been thinking of doing the same but looking for ideas that others use successfully.

 

[acidrain]

Look at this thread: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f13/closed-system-pressurized-fermentation-technique-44344/
Basically you use a 2" triclover cap which has been fitted with an adjustable pressure relief valve, an out post with dip tube, and an in post for Co2 pressure transfer.

 

[Dr_Jeff]

Orange carboy caps work as well after you remove the spear.

 

[ScubaSteve]

If you are strictly using it for 5G batches, they will work, but you need to be careful of boilovers. I brewed with a 7.5 gallon turkey fryer stockpot, and it worked fine with FermCap.

Awesome as fermenters.....and actually they make fantastic E-HLT's. I have one with a 5500w element, and it is much quicker and more efficient because I am not heating a full keg. During the mash, I just refill the HLT and in 20 mins I have 170F sparge water ready to go.

I actually planned on making a 3 gallon system with 3....but ended up sticking with my 1/2 barrel setup. I wish I hadn't cut the tops out, or I'd be using them as fermenters right now!