By Dave
June 2, 2023
Beer Keg Conversion, Craft Distillery, DIY Boiler, Home Distilling, Homemade Spirits
Welcome to our latest DIY project, where we're going to guide you through the process of converting an old beer keg into a boiler for your home distilling. This guide is designed to provide an overview of the step-by-step process to convert a keg into a boiler using our Convert-A-Keg kit.
Designed with DIY enthusiasts in mind, this kit is a product of expert craftsmanship and innovative technology. It streamlines the process, making it accessible to both beginners and seasoned home brewers.
But before we begin, we'd like to emphasis a couple of things:
Safety: Working with kegs and power tools can be hazardous without the right experience or protective gear. We encourage this project to be taken on by those who are comfortable and experienced with such work.
Legal Acquisition: It's crucial to obtain your keg legally. Most kegs belong to breweries, and unlawful possession can lead to severe penalties. Check out home brew shops or salvage yards for decommissioned kegs, but keep in mind that a decommissioned keg may have some flaws that make it unsuitable for boiler use.
Food-Grade Materials: Any seals, gaskets, or fittings that come into contact with your brew should be made from food-grade materials to prevent contamination. This ensures the safety and quality of your end product.
Local Regulations: Ensure you're familiar with local laws and regulations governing home distilling before starting this project.
With these considerations in mind, let's get started.
Step 1. Marking Out the Keg
Start by marking the keg for the column coupler, drain tap, and the element port. Think of the top of the keg as a clock face, orienting the handles to the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions, the drain tap to the 6 o’clock position, and the element port to the 12 o’clock position. This setup ensures that the element port is at the rear and the drain tap is right in front.
Step 2. Drilling/Cutting Holes
The next step involves drilling holes for the column coupler, the element port, and the drain tap. Remember to use low drill speeds and cutting fluid to prevent the stainless steel from hardening due to heat. Also, be very careful with the angle grinder to avoid any damage that could prevent a perfect seal.
Step 3. Mounting Element Port, Column Coupler & Drain Tap
With the holes drilled and de-burred, you can now proceed to mount the element port, column coupler, and the drain tap. Make sure to use food-grade seals.
Step 4. Fitting Legs
After the fittings are secured, it's time to install the legs. These are positioned evenly around the base of the keg, bent to the right shape, and then attached to the keg using bolts and nuts.
Step 5. Final Finishing
Finally, remove any metal shavings and debris from inside the keg, block off the element port (or fit your element), and fill the boiler with water to check for leaks. If you find any, you may need to re-seat the fittings.
Lastly, if you want, you can remove part of the top rim of the keg for aesthetic reasons, but this is entirely optional.
Congratulations, you have now finished building your boiler and are ready to get distilling!
This above guide offers you a glimpse into the process of converting a standard keg into a functional boiler using our revolutionary Convert-A-Keg kit. This project is ideal for all home brewing and distilling enthusiasts, from beginners to seasoned pros, and it's a great way to step up your brewing game and craft unique beverages right at home.
It's worth noting that while this blog post provides an overview of the process, the actual instructions included in the Convert-a-Keg Kit are significantly more detailed. The kit is designed to guide you step-by-step through the entire process, making it accessible even to first-timers.
We hope that this guide has sparked your interest in home brewing and distilling. With a little patience and the right tools, you can start crafting unique, homemade beverages. Happy brewing!