How much is a old beer keg worth?

[IwanaBrich]

I'm interested in converting an old 13.2 gallon keg into a brew pot. I'd like to install a thermometer and Ball Valve into it.

How much do they typically sell for? I found one on craigslist and the guy wants $50. Is that a fair price?

 

[Mike_kever_kombi]

That's a good price if it has the thermo and ball valve. If it is just keg, then it is too high

 

[mmb]

As with any used item, it's worth what someone will pay for it.

 

[byrone]

Ask a local beer store what they charge for a deposit on a 13 gal keg and I wouldn't pay anymore than that. Unless it has items added onto it(ball valve, etc)

 

[FiddlersGreen87]

$50 is too much. I got one for $30, and probably could of haggled down to $20. It's a buyer's market because all they can do is throw it out. No deposit or they'd of taken that, sits and takes up space, not exactly a large market for used kegs. Tell them if they won't take 20$ they can keep holding onto it, if they sell it, another will come along soon enough.

A good negotiating technique is to ask them how long they've had it so you know how much cleaning you're in for. It makes their imagination think how much crazy stuff could grow in there even though they really have no idea. Most people I've found that have them listed on CL will say oh it's been sitting in my garage for a year or 6 months either way both are easy enough to sell that it will require some good elbow grease to clean them up.

Last thing, always end with well good luck, if you don't get any buyers please let me know.

 

[IwanaBrich]

Unfortunately, its just a keg....intact in every way. SO I'd have to cut the top off, put in the valve thermometer etc..

My gut told me it was too high.

Am I just better off buying a stainless pot?

 

[Stealthcruiser]

If you want a stainless pot, then yes.

 

[rekoob]

I havn't paid more than 20 for the five I have, any more than that and I feel like i'm getting ripped off. Oh, and mine are all 15.5 gal kegs. One of them is rubber coated but I only picked it up to ferment in anyway, looking inside it's metal so all is good but didn't know that when i got it.

hold out, you will come across them for cheaper.

If you don't want to put the work into all the modifications then by all means get a pot. I have to admit, I do love my Polarware pot. It's a work of art.

 

[billybryson54]

Be patient, my friend. 50 is a bit high but I DEFINITELY recommend going the keg route vs a pot. MUCH less expensive for the same volume, and tons of parts for them to build whatever you like. Only drawback is you gotta do the work yourself. I was able to score two free ones from a dear friend of mine who had them in his garage. He knew I was a brewer but never mentioned those kegs until years later when I stumbled across them in his garage. For him they were just taking up space. Perhaps you know someone who COULD have one sitting around in the same situation? You can also check scrapyards who have them that are about to be crushed/destroyed. I know of a couple people who acquired kegs that way.

 

[FiddlersGreen87]

Unfortunately, its just a keg....intact in every way. SO I'd have to cut the top off, put in the valve thermometer etc..

My gut told me it was too high.

Am I just better off buying a stainless pot?

I just went through the entire process last month. Really wasn't that much work to do the modifications. 15 gal Stainless steel pots are super expensive.

Have you tried talking him down? Some people are uncomfortable haggling, but it's really not a big deal. How many people are out there searching for a used empty beer keg anyway? So either he can get something out of it (20-30$) or he can hold onto his stainless steel paperweight.

If you get the response, "the deposit was worth $50," then ask them why they don't just go collect it? Doesn't have to be sarcastic or mean either, it's a simple question. If that's what it's worth and you can get it then why bother listing it and going through this process? Most of the time it's because they waited too long, lost the deposit slip, etc. Either way it's not your fault they were lazy or forgetful. It is your gain however because it's now your leverage.

I would recommend you offer him $20. If he comes back with 50 or anything higher say any of the above posts, and say thanks but no thanks, and ask him to hold onto your contact info in case he doesn't have any luck selling it. Then if he comes back it means he had no luck, has learned for himself that stainless steel kegs aren't exactly a hot commodity (except to us) and offer him $10. Like I said, entirely a buyers market.

Most people list it at that just to see if they can get it.

 

[Hamaki]

What's the scrap price for 304 stainless? Last I looked, and it's been awhile, it was like $.75 a pound. A half barrel keg is what, 30 lb? You might consider that in arguing a fair price.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Am I just better off buying a stainless pot?

IMHO, yes! You are better off buying a pot. Kegs are heavy, oddly shaped and aren't optimal to use as kettles. By the time you purchase a lid, cut the top off and clean it up, $100 for a brand new, shiny SS kettle with lid will not seem that high.

Just my opinion, I know lots of folks love keggles, just not for me I guess...

 

[IwanaBrich]

Well I tried to contact the seller on Craigslist and he didn't even respond, so I didn't get to ask if he'd take less. I wonder why someone would go to the trouble of putting up an ad, then not bother to reply to those interested.... seems odd.

So where does someone find a cheap used keg?

 

[jhoneycutt]

Yes $50 is too high. I paid $5 for mine at a yard sale. Haven't figured out what I'm doing with it yet but it was there and I wanted it lol.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Well I tried to contact the seller on Craigslist and he didn't even respond, so I didn't get to ask if he'd take less. I wonder why someone would go to the trouble of putting up an ad, then not bother to reply to those interested.... seems odd.

So where does someone find a cheap used keg?

Not odd at all for clist, probably sold or his grandson posted for him and you'll hear back in a week.

It's a jungle on Craigslist, this is par for the course IME.



Wilserbrewer
Http://biabbags.webs.com/

 

[liquidlunch]

$30.00 that's what the liquor store gets charged as a deposit. I bought some from local store just payed the 30 to cover his deposit costs

 

[Hamaki]

$30.00 that's what the liquor store gets charged as a deposit. I bought some from local store just payed the 30 to cover his deposit costs

Not to get preachy but there's an ethics issue with that. I doubt that the store owned the keg and replacement cost is well above $30. There have been several threads about this kind of thing.

 

[ArcaneXor]

Many people are not aware that they are in fact stealing the kegs when they don't return them.

Paying a deposit does not transfer ownership of the keg. The keg remains the property of the brewery or keg rental company (Microstar, KegCredit, etc.). Replacing a Sanke keg costs the owner $100+.

If you have a keg and lost your deposit slip, call the local distributor, and they'll take it off your hands.